This 1954 Lincoln Capri Coupe stands as a relic from an era when Lincoln fielded and won races.
At the 2000-mile Carrera Panamericana, this large coupe challenged Ferraris and Porsches.
Of the five cars entered, this is the only one remaining, and it heads to the Bonhams auction block on Saturday, June 13.

Despite Charlie Ryan's 1955 rock 'n' roll hit Hot Rod Lincoln, a Lincoln is rarely the first car that comes to mind for endurance racing. In the 1960s they transported U.S. presidents, in the 1970s they stretched as wide as popular lapels, and ever since they have been known for size and luxury rather than outright speed. Yet during the 1950s Lincolns dominated Mexico's most demanding event.

Run from 1950 to 1954, La Carrera Panamericana covered roughly 2000 miles from Mexico's northern border near Texas to its southern border near Guatemala. The event carried such prestige that when the small Porsche 550 won its class, Porsche adopted the name Carrera for its quickest models, which is why the 911 Carrera exists today.

Lincoln

In the 3500-cc-and-up engine class, Lincolns proved unbeatable. Year after year the big coupe bruisers mastered the challenging roads, handling steep climbs and intense heat with ease. The success provided excellent publicity: buyers might appreciate a luxury car proven faster and tougher than a Cadillac.

The inherent risks, however, drew negative attention to Mexico, and by 1954 officials planned to end the race. It would be the final running, though the event later returned as a safer vintage competition that continues today. Modern winners often pilot powerful 1000-hp Studebakers.

Bonhams

The 1954 edition proved difficult for Lincoln, with most factory entries eliminated early. A privateer from Los Angeles named Ray Crawford kept going, outlasting a Cadillac rival to secure the win for Lincoln.

Lincoln celebrated the result by purchasing the car from Crawford, repainting all team cars to match the winner, and displaying them nationwide in showrooms. The Mexican victory helped convert many shoppers into Lincoln owners.

Because the cars were made identical, the true identity of the winning chassis faded over time. In the years before collectors valued these machines as historic pieces, nearly every Panamericana Lincoln vanished.

Bonhams

This example survived, spending most of its life in the Harrah's Automobile Collection in Reno, Nevada. A 1967 restoration ordered by the museum returned the car to the Holman and Moody-Stroppe shop in Los Angeles, the same team that prepared the original racers.

The Lincoln crosses the block next Saturday, June 13, at the Bonhams National Automobile Museum auction. It is likely not the actual winner, which appears lost; details indicate it was originally ordered in white, while Crawford's car was red, suggesting this is one of the later repainted team cars.

Even so, as the only survivor prepared and restored by the Los Angeles racing specialists, it remains an important artifact. Notable features include original course reconnaissance maps and a hand-painted Dennis the Menace image honoring Crawford's underdog story.

Bonhams

Crawford not only won his class but also battled Ferraris, Porsches, and Alfa Romeos, finishing in the top 10 and defeating many agile sports cars with his large Lincoln.

It is a fascinating chapter in Lincoln's past that often goes unnoticed. Today the brand emphasizes prestige and comfort. In the 1950s, however, Lincoln knew how to rock n' roll.

I said, 'Look out, boys, I've got a license to fly,'
And that Caddy pulled over and let us by.