Nineteen fifty-two again brought major changes to Lincoln, with an all-new vehicle. It was a totally new body style, and it was the first year of the new overhead-valve “Y-Block” in the form of a 317.5-cubic-inch V-8 with a two-barrel carburetor providing 160 horsepower, which was 18.5 cubic inches smaller than the previous engine.
The higher compression ratio accounted for the increase in horsepower over 1951. They were the first American cars to be equipped with suspended brake pedals. Lincoln was the first American car to switch from the old kingpin system to ball joint suspension.
Although there are reports of a few 1952 Lincolns produced with standard transmissions, none are known to exist at this time; some of the early ’52s were equipped with a single-range Hydramatic, but virtually all 1952 models came equipped with dual-range Hydramatic automatic transmission, produced by General Motors.
Two-door hardtops were available for the first time, so the Lido and Capri were dropped as special trim models. The Cosmopolitan series was maintained, but the Capri name was inaugurated to designate the premium series.
The Capri was offered in a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan and a convertible, while the Cosmopolitan offered a two-door hardtop and a four-door sedan. Production totaled 27,271 units; the total sedan units in both series was 15,854, making them the most popular model. The convertible weighed in at 4,350 pounds and was priced at $3,665.00.
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