The Lincoln Cosmopolitan coupé that’s completed ten Carrera Panamericana races
A ten-time veteran of the gruelling Carrera Panamericana, this Lincoln is ready to go again — after it goes up for auction
Courtesy of owner
Looking for a competition car with a proven reliability record? Well, they don’t come much more ‘proven’ than this 1954 Lincoln Cosmopolitan coupé, which has completed a remarkable 10 editions of Mexico’s gruelling Carrera Panamericana road race.
The car’s livery, applied in 2004, is based on that of a Lincoln that won its class in the Carrera in 1954
The interior is fitted with Cobra race seats, five-point harnesses, a full rollcage, electric fans to cool the occupants and an array of auxiliary instruments
Courtesy of owner
Even more impressively, the first three times owner Christian Reichardt and co-driver Keith Ball entered the seven-day, 2200-mile ‘Carrera’, they drove the car an extra 2500 miles from their base in Los Angeles to the start line in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. And then back again afterwards.
Although Lincoln land yachts competed in the original iteration of the Panamericana (Cosmopolitans finished ninth in 1950 and eighth in 1951, and Lincoln Capris were class winners in 1952, ’53 and ’54) they were, of necessity, significantly modified to cope with the arduous conditions of the race.
Reichardt acquired the car in 2002 as a virtual wreck that had been all but abandoned by a racing driver who had competed in it but then fallen on hard times.
Gas guzzling V-8 needs an extra-large reinforced fuel cell mounted in the boot to maximise the range
Courtesy of owner
Rear windows carry the car’s name – La Bestia del Norte (The Beast of the North)
Courtesy of owner
After bringing the car back to working order, Rechardt first entered it for the Carrera three years later – since when it has been gradually upgraded, tweaked and generally improved in order to remain both competitive and dependable.
That process has involved at least four full rebuilds of the V8 engine and its four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, as well as major suspension upgrades to cope with the battered Mexican road surfaces and to enable the 2200kg Lincoln to mix it with the many, far lighter contenders.
Many of the graphics are hand-painted in the typical style of original Carrera Panamericana cars
Courtesy of owner
Could there be a better turnkey chance for any aspiring Carrera racer to scratch the itch of competing in one of the most madcap motor sport events in the world?
And if you drove it direct from the Pebble Beach sale, you’ll make it to the start line for the October 11 flag drop.
1954 Lincoln Cosmopolitan. On offer with Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach auction, California, August 16-17. goodingco.com