Well the swap meet was good to me. Sold a few things and came home with a new project. 1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan 337 Flathead V8 Runner Driver
Is there a name for the strap that runs across the back of the front seat? I know back in the day it was for a lap blanket, but once cars got heaters they wouldn't have used it for that...... Nice car, BTW!
Cool Score! If you are going to get rid of the side trim, let me know. I have a car club member that needs it.
If you are not planning on keeping it stock as far as power train, then you might want to PM Oldiron73 about the transmission and it's parts. He was working on his F-1 truck with the powertrain you have and might be interested.
Yes it's an Auto. Right now i am still up in the air, will decide when i get it home on Tuesday. It was a day of firsts. I didn't know there were such a thing as hydraulic power windows, they don't work. I know i want to keep that Flathead in it! It's my first so im going to be looking for some pointers. I have seen a few folks on here talk about this particular car but i have never ever seen one until today. Are they somewhat rare? Or maybe just not that sought after?
Are they somewhat rare? No. Or maybe just not that sought after? Not that sought after, but now everything old is cool, even four door station wagons. Good, I'd keep the flatty, maybe change the trans out though. ...
a place in FL called Hydro-E-Lectric can supply parts to fix the hydraulic power windows. if you have any specific trim needs, let me know as I might have a few parts lying around.
well I dont see many of those Lincolns anymore, and the big flathead is the star of the show in those monsters. As a teenager in late 50,s I used to have a side job driving a couple of rich old ladies in thier 'Cosmo' to the Amb***ador Hotel in L.A. it was a smooth ride with lotta torq.
KEEP the Flathead! As i said before, the early automatic transmissions were ****, and that is the ONLY thing I would change on the drive train. You have an Awesome car! What a great starting point for a build! I will be subscribing to the build postings on this one!.... Good Luck! ...
transmissions were a 4 speed automatic, made by Hydramatic (GM), Henry didn't have an auto stout enough for the 337
Put in a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission. THIS is where your hot rodding skills will come into play! Lucky for you, the H.A.M.B. is here to hold your hand all thru the process...
Love these Cosmos, the four doors are the coolest, "suicide is painless". Having this baby running and driving is amazing. Please no crazy mods to this factory custom, stance, comfort, and saftey, then cruz the wheels off that baby! Congrats. green with envy! ~sololobo~
Henry didn't have ANY automatic in 1949 when this series of cars was introduced. Most early '49 production was equipped with the B-W T-85/R-11 3 speed/O.D. It was recognized early on that an automatic was necssary to compete with Cadillac. The only readily available automatic at the time was G.M.s Hydramatic as used in Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac. Ford elected to purchase from G.M. Since the car was already designed around the Hydro, there was no reason to adopt the B-W design (Ford O Matic) in the '51 model. As far as quality goes, the early 4 Speed Hydros were tough as nails and fairly efficient (they had a fluid coupling instead of a torque converter thus seemed to slip more when starting). The only reason to consider a later automatic would be to gain overdrive.
If you decide the engine needs help, Bob Selzam at Half Ton Fun in Jackson, N.J. keeps all the overhaul parts. Very reasonably priced and quick. Ken Austin (Austins Rod Shop) in Oregon has been making custom intake manifolds for the 337s for years. He may even have cylinder heads.
Thats plain awesome. I can see a neat bomb. Full resto, buff the og paint, add some period accessories, pescos set up, and get ready to snap every neck in town.
Very nice, I had the oppurtunity to look it over last weekend. The pot metal looked good along with the body. Please don't strip off the side trim as Merchev suggested, and do buy that dual manifold, how neat is that..? With a little bit of lowering (no rockers on the ground) and some attention, that car will be a great cruiser..! good luck and congradulations.
Nice Cosmopolitan. Definitely keep that flatty. It really throws people at car shows. One thing that helped me with my Baby Lincoln was replacing the old Holley carb with a Rochester 2G small base carb. Perfect swap. That and a Pertronix Ignitor kit. I found one on Ebay for $100.