1952 Lincoln Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1952 Lincoln Capri Hardtop
1. 317 CID OHV V-8 Arrives
2. Ball Joint Front Susension All New
3. Capri Replaces Cosmopolitan as Top Line
4. Brakes Improved
5. Convertible Only Available in Top Line Capri
1952 Lincoln – The Line Gets an OHV V-8
For 1952 Lincoln returned to model names for the first time since 1942, with the Lincoln Cosmopolitan becoming the standard Lincoln model and the Capri becoming the flagship model. Lincolns shared its body with the Mercury Monterey. Lincoln replaced its Ford Truck L-Head V-8 with its own Y-block OHV V-8 mated to GM’s Hydramatic transmission.
1952 Lincoln Facts: Resources
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1952 Lincoln Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1952 Lincoln
| 01 Raven Black | |
| 02 Admiral Blue | |
| 04 Fanfare Maroon | |
| 05 Newport Gray | |
| 08 Coppertone | |
| 09 Pebble Tan | |
| 10 Academy Blue | |
| 11 Hillcrest Green | |
| 13 Lakewood Green | |
| 15 Saxon Gray | |
| 18 Cinnabar Red | |
| 19 Vassar Yellow | |
| 08A Copperstone Metallic | |
| 15A Saxon Gray Metallic |
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1952 Lincoln Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1952 Lincoln
The Lincoln model line was radically redesigned. A single body design was shared between Lincoln and Mercury with Lincoln incorporating several elements to impart a larger, more substantial look. Two Lines were established – with the hierarchy now Capri (a new name) at the top and Cosmopolitan as the lesser version. Wheelbase dropped to 123.0 inches from the 125.0 inch span used before. Lincoln models differed from the Mercury using extended rear quarters, a Lincoln-specific grille and bumpers, exterior front and rear lamps, and on the interior, a Lincoln-specific instrument panel. The interior was also upgraded over the Mercury with leather and cloth combinations that were unavailable in the lesser line.
Beginning this year, all four-door Lincoln-Mercury vehicles now had front-hinged rear doors. The convertible was reserved for the Capri range, leaving the Cosmopolitan limited to a two-door hardtop and a four-door sedan.
Along with the new body, Lincoln introduced a ball joint front suspension and the now famous high-compression, overhead valve 317 CID Lincoln Y-block V8. For the first time, the 4-speed GM Hydramatic was the only available transmission. However, a “maxi mum duty kit” was available for owners who wanted to race their Lincolns, including a special order 3-speed manual transmission fitment.
The Capri proved quite popular – competing against the Cadillac Series 62, Chrysler New Yorker, and Packard Pacific, 14,799 Capri models were sold in its debut year. The Cosmopolitan, a solid competitor to Oldsmobile, sold sold 12,492 units. There was some Lincoln owners that decried he smaller, more modern look and sales were down by about 5,000 units – but this would change in 1953.
Historical
In the October, 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics, a Lincoln Capri with the new 160 HP Lincoln Y-block was tested. Its 0-60 mph time was 14.8 seconds, while the quarter-mile was 21.3 seconds. In racing, Lincolns won the top four spots in the Stock Car category of the Pan American Road Race in 1952. This eye-opening accomplishment established Lincoln as a luxury performance car.
1952 Lincoln Factoids
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The 317 CID Y-Block OHV Lincoln was introduced in 1952 for the Lincoln. This was a well-designed modern engine with good breathing and the potential for growing to over 370 CID. It produced 160 HP this year with a 2-barrel carburetor, but more HP was on the way.
Not only did the Capri nameplate supplant the Cosmopolitan as the top line, but it was the only model offering a convertible. 1,191 convertibles were sold this year.
Much of the 1952 Lincoln was new, aside from the body and engine – the brakes were improved with more lining area and the front suspension moved from kingpins to ball joints – ahead of most of Detroit.
1952 Lincoln Facts – Models Offered
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The Capri was now the top line. It was indistinguishable externally from its sister model, except for the nameplate, in script on the leading edge of the rear fender. Interiors were upscale and included leather in some models.
Two body styles were available: the 2-door Hardtop, the 4-door Sedan and the Convertible.
The Cosmopolitan was now the lesser line. It was indistinguishable externally from its sister model, except for the nameplate, in script, placed on the leading edge of the rear fender. Interiors were less ostentatious but otherwise similar.
Two body styles were available: the 2-door Hardtop and the 4-door Sedan.
1952 Lincoln Facts – Engines
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317 CID V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 317.5 cubic Inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.8 x 3.5 inches.
Compression ratio: 7.5:1.
Horsepower: 160 @ 3900 RPM.
Torque: 284 @ 1800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 256°, Exhaust: 256°, Overlap: 38°; Lift: Intake 0.333″, Exhaust 0.333″.
Carburetor: Holley two-barrel 1901 model EAD-B2 or EAD-D2.
1952 Lincoln Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 123.0 inches.
- Overall length: 214.1 Inches.
- Overall width: 77.5 Inches.
- Overall height: 62.7 inches.
- Front tread: 58.5 inches.
- Rear tread: 58.5 inches.
- Tires: 8.00 x 15 4-ply tubeless.
1952 Lincoln Facts – Powertrains
- Four Speed Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 3.819:1, 2nd – 2.634:1, 3rd – 1.450:1, 4th – 1:1, Reverse – 4.304:1. NOTE: this transmission was available in Dual Range or Single Range where Dual allowed selection of 3rd gear manually.
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios (This transmission was special order)
- 1st – 2.526:1, 2nd – 1.518:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 3.158:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- 3-Speed SMT – 3.91:1, Optional 3.31:1.
- 3-speed AMT Single Range – 3.31:1.
- 3-speed AMT Dual Range – 3.07:1, Optional 3.31:1.
- Engine Options
- NONE
1952 Lincoln Facts – Powertrain Options
- Transmissions
- Three speed manual was special order – part of the “maximum duty kit”.
- GM Hydramatic automatic transmission was standard.
- Engines
- 317 CID OHV 160 HP V-8 was the only engine available.
1952 Lincoln Facts – Significant Options
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- Back-Up Lights.
- Front and rear bumper guards.
- Heater.
- Outside Rear View Mirror.
- Power seat (standard on convertible).
- Power windows (standard on convertible).
- Radio.
- Spotlight.
- Tinted Glass.
- Tinted windshield.
- White Sidewall Tires.
- Windshield washer.
1952 Lincoln – Downloads and Images
1952 Lincoln Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1952 Lincoln Prestige Brochure
1952 Lincoln Print Advertisements
1952 Lincoln AMA Specifications Sheets
1952 Lincoln Facts – Related Images
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1952 Lincoln Capri Convertible
The 1952 Lincoln Capri Convertible was the only convertible in the line and featured many options , including leather seating – as standard. 1,191 found happy buyers.
1952 Lincoln Capri 2-door Hardtop
The 1952 Lincoln Capri 2-door Hardtop was the top line 2-door differing only interior options and more upscale seating materials. 5,681 were sold.
1952 Lincoln Capri 4-door Sedan
The 1952 Lincoln Capri 4-door Sedan was the upscale 4-door this year, but its exterior was not noticeably different from its lesser sister, with all the extras inside. 7,927 were delivered.
1952 Lincoln Cosmopolitan 2-door Hardtop
The 1952 Lincoln Cosmopolitan 2-door Hardtop was the entry level Lincoln hardtop this year. 4,545 were delivered.
1952 Lincoln Cosmopolitan 4-door Sedan
Except for the nameplate, the 1952 Lincoln Cosmopolitan 4-door Sedans were not any different on the outside from their upscale brothers. They sold just a bit more than the Capri 4-door at 7,947 units.