1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan

2dr Club Coupe

8-cyl. 336.7cid/152hp 2bbl

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$19,100*

-15.1%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph04/2407/2410/24$5k$10k$15k$20kJan 2025
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1949-1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan stats
Highest sale
$137,500
Lowest sale
$3,300
Most recent sale
$18,810
Sales
71

Photos

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1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
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Model overview

Model description

Ford Motor Company was struggling after World War II, with Chrysler Corporation having surpassed Ford’s overall sales as well as general disorder in the company. By 1949, though, this had mostly been sorted out.

The all-new 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan rode on a 125-inch wheelbase and cost anywhere from $3,186 to $3,948, but a smaller “Standard” Lincoln shared the Mercury body shell and had a shorter 121-inch wheelbase. It was priced from $2,527 to $3,116. Prices were broadly similar to Cadillac and Packard, the primary competition.

To replace the old trouble-prone 292 cubic inch V-12, Ford had to reach into their very limited engine resources to source a heavy-truck flathead V-8 engine that was redeveloped as the new Lincoln V-8 for 1949. The new V-8 in Lincoln tune produced 152 hp from 336.7 cubic inches. A Hydramatic automatic transmission, procured from archrival GM, was optional at extra cost, for the simple reason that Ford had not yet been able to develop an automatic transmission.

Body styles included coupe, Sport Sedan four-door, Town Sedan four-door and convertible coupe. Styling was right up to date and followed the fenderless trend set two years before by the semi-luxury Frazer and lower priced Kaiser. The rear doors on four-door cars were similar to the later 1961-69 cars in that they were hinged at the rear. All Cosmopolitans had rear fender skirts and one piece curved windshields.

For 1950 a new, more handsome grille found its way onto the Lincolns, and price increases of a dollar or two came about. Mid-year, a Capri two-door was introduced with thin pillars and a vinyl top for that hardtop convertible look that was so popular that year and in years to come.

The 1951 Cosmopolitans added full length side chrome trim and a revised grille, with a 2 hp increase in the engine. Prices actually dropped about $60. For 1952, all of the Lincoln cars were all-new from the ground up, and the Cosmopolitan line was demoted to the lower price range, with the Capri name used for the higher-priced cars. All Lincolns now shared a single body shell with 123-inch wheelbase, and featured an all-new overhead valve Y-Block V-8 engine of 317.5 cubic inches, good for up to 160 hp. The Hydramatic continued to be optional. Body styles included sport hardtop coupe and four-door sedan, which now had front hinges on the rear doors.

The 1953 Cosmopolitan line was virtually the same, but horsepower was increased to 205. The 1954 cars were nearly the same again, with 1955 cars having a revised grille and a bore increase in the engine for 341 cubic inches and 225 hp. In fact, the 1955 cars were actually marketed not as the Lincoln Cosmopolitan, but a one-year-only appellation was utilized for the lower priced series: “Custom”.

Prior Lincoln owners or folks moving up-market from Mercury were the typical buyers for the Cosmopolitan. Although it certainly wasn’t a sporty car, the Cosmopolitan was robust and the model actually made a very strong showing, including class wins, at the early runnings of the grueling Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico.

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Common Questions

The value of a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $27,100 for a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan in good condition with average spec.

The highest selling price of a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan at auction over the last three years was $78,750. The highest prices are usually reserved for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples with desirable features or modifications and excellent history.

The lowest selling price of a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan at auction over the last three years was $15,950. The lowest prices are usually paid for examples that have extensive maintenance needs, differ greatly from their original configuration, or have accident histories or title problems.

In the last three years there have been 4 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitans sold at public auction.

The most recent auction sale of a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan was $18,810 on April 24, 2024 by Clasiq.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. The Hagerty Price Guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial advice. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.com/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of The Hagerty Group LLC, ©2025 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc.