1954 Lincoln Capri with Continental kit

Condition:	Used
Make:	Lincoln
Model:	Other
Type:	Convertible
Trim:	Continental kit
Year:	1954
Mileage:	81,879
VIN:	54WA29431H
Color:	Red
Engine:	317cid 205hp
Cylinders:	8
Fuel:	Gasoline
Transmission:	Automatic
Drive type:	FWD
Interior color:	White over red
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Verona, Wisconsin, United States

Extras

Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
Convertible

Listed by

Private seller

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Description of 1954 Lincoln Other Continental kit

We have a number of cars in our collection, but we're buying some vacation property and must reluctantly sell one of them.
Based on the VIN, this Capri started life as a black car with a grey convertible top. I don't know when it was changed to a red car with a white top and red/white interior, but the work was very well done. I have the record of purchase (original title) from 1992, when the Capri was owned by a gentleman living in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In 1996, the Capri was sold to a Clearwater, Florida car dealer called Golden Classics. That might have been when the color change was made, but Golden Classics told me their records did not go back that far. The Capri was then sold in 2002 to Chick-fil-A, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. The owner of Chick-fil-A had a large and varied collection of cars (lots of pictures on the internet), and after his passing in 2014 the collection was gradually sold off. I was invited to a silent auction of about 70 of the remaining cars in June of 2016, and that's when we acquired this very long, very red, Lincoln Capri convertible with continental kit.
I don't believe this car was driven much in the 14 years that it was in the Chick-fil-A collection, if at all. It was a running car, but all the usual things were needed to get it back in driving condition. The gas tank was boiled out, the carburetor rebuilt, new plugs, plug wires, points, rotor, distributor, fluids changed, brakes repaired, starter rebuilt, power brake unit replaced, radiator repaired, transmission leak fixed and 4 new tires added. I happened to have two 6v Optima batteries, and copied another Lincoln club member's idea of hooking them together for more cranking power. That was a great idea, since the battery compartment is hidden behind the passenger foot well. I also added a small temperature gauge below the dash, as the factory gauge was sticking.
With the continental kit, the car is within an inch of being 19' long. It drives very nicely, the motor starts immediately, is strong and doesn't smoke. It's an eye-catching car that should be in parades and weddings. There is no rust or rust repair, the sheet metal is smooth and the paint job has held up well.
What does it need? The 4-speed GM Hydra-Matic has a slight flare when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, but otherwise works well. The power seat switch is not working. The heater core was removed from the car at some point. The fresh air vent controls are stuck from not being used. The power window relays are sticking (all windows operate, but intermittently). The radio does not work. The wipers do not work. The passenger side door closes easily, but the driver's side door needs to be closed more firmly or it won't latch. The carpet may be original, and has faded somewhat.
I have described what the car needs to the best of my ability, having spent many long hours getting it to be safe and drivable. If the new owner is not a member of the Lincoln and Continental Owner's Club, I would recommend they join. I would welcome anyone's representative to confirm the the car's condition. My mechanic's shop is about a mile from the house, and he could put the Capri up on his hoist.
The race car photo was added to share some history of the the 1954 Lincoln Capri, for those who aren't familiar. The '54 Capri was made famous by placing first, second and third in the Carrera Panamericana stock car category in 1954. The Panamericana was a grueling, border-to-border, 2,170 mile-long sedan and sports car racing event on open roads in Mexico similar to the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio in Italy. Running for five consecutive years from 1950 to 1954, it was widely held by contemporaries to be the most dangerous race of any type in the world. By 1954, it had become a highly professional endeavor attracting many top drivers of the day. The race was resurrected in '06 and is still run today.