The period between 1952 to 1954 was very important to Lincoln’s history. The main developments of this year were making the first overhead-valve V8, a short stroke of 318 cid, producing 160 bhp. The crankshaft had eight counterweights better than most competitors with six. The intake valves were oversize which allowed better breathing and higher output. The crankcase was elongated below the crankshaft centerline forming stiff shaft support. Ball joint front suspension was included in Lincoln.
Comprising of the V8, made it a powerful automotive dominating their class in the Mexican Road Race. New features included power steering, big sized drum brakes, sound silencers, optional four-passenger seat, and air conditioning at an extra cost. Its fabrics, leather seats, and its finishing were of a higher class than Dearborn products. Lincolns of the ’52-’54 had a short wheelbase of 123 inches but were spacious inside than those of previous years. It was much visible than any other American car of the time. Fluted taillamps would dispose of water and dirt like the ones adopted on Mercedes in the 1970s.
Lincoln recorded some outstanding performances at the Carrera Pan Americana virtually unbeatable in the International Standard Class. Lincoln won the first five positions in 1952, the top four in ’53, and the first two in 1954. Clay Smith was a skilled mechanic who used to prepare for races although he died in a tragic accident in a pit in 1954. Dearborn engineers were of great help to Lincoln for they would supply ‘export’ suspension pieces, truck camshafts from Ford, valve lifters, front spindles, and hubs that enabled to place Lincoln at the top of 130mph.
Lincolns made in the late ’50s brought about a new era. 1956 Lincolns were really new cars although the 1955 trim is rare to find. Their wheelbase was increased by 3 inches, they were longer than the previous ones by seven inches and their width was three inches more. The lower-priced models were the Capri series and the costly ones were Premiere models. Their bodywork remained the same although four-pillared doors were included making them resemble hardtops. They previewed the styling of the car according to the 1954 Mercury XM-800show car with a clean grille, sphere headlamps, and a wraparound windshield like modern vehicles.