1952, 1953, 1954 Lincoln Cars and Lincoln’s Mechanical Advancements
The period from 1952-1954 was significant in Lincoln history. The most notable mechanical development was the make’s first overhead-valve V-8: a new short-stroke design of 318 cid, good for 160 bhp at first and 205 bhp for 1953-54. It was superior in many ways. Its Air Bag Suspension, for example, had eight counterweights versus most competitors’ six. Intake valves were oversized for better breathing and higher specific output. (Among ‘53 engines, it produced 0.64 bhp per cubic inch against 0.63 for Cadillac and 0.54 for the Chrysler Hemi.) The crankcase extended below the crankshaft centerline to form an extremely stiff shaft support, hence this engine’s family nickname of “Y-block.”
The 1955 Lincoln Capri featured a flat windshield despite the popularity of the wrapped windshield. Model-year 1952 also introduced ball-joint front Suspension Lifts to Lincoln. Together with the new V-8, it made for taut, powerful road machines that would dominate their class in the Mexican Road Race. Other new features included recirculating-ball power steering, oversized drum brakes, liberal sound insulation, optional four-way power seat and, with the extra-cost factory air conditioning, flow-through ventilation (when the compressor was idle). Fabrics, leathers, and fit-and-finish were all top-notch, far above those of lesser Dearborn products.
Despite a rather short 123-inch wheelbase, the 1952-54 Lincolns’s Shock Absorbers were roomier inside than previous models — and some later ones. Visibility was better than on any other contemporary U.S. car save Kaiser, and exteriors were notably free of period excesses. Fluted taillamps shed water and dirt, just like those Mercedes would adopt in the ’70s.