PIC: Something different #102 (12/29/2025)

Posted by: @sizedoesmatter

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1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Concept Car

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The 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car was a unique, one-off vehicle designed by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Boano and Gian Paolo Boano, built on a stock 1955 Lincoln chassis and running gear. It was a design study commissioned by Henry Ford II and showcased at the 1955 Turin Motor Show

 

 

Design and Features

The car's design was heavily inspired by the "jet age" and aircraft aesthetics of the 1950s. 

• Exterior: The body was crafted from steel and finished in a striking bright orange color. Key design elements included a sleek, rounded center section tapering into pontoon-like fenders, four upright headlights in chrome surrounds, and large vertical air intakes and decorative side exhaust pipes (which were non-functional). The actual exhaust exited beneath the taillights.
• Interior: The cabin was a two-seater design, featuring plush bucket seats upholstered in black-and-white checkered leather with a matching "stepped" center console. The dashboard was innovative, with a panel that covered all instruments and controls, sliding open only when access was needed.
• Mechanicals: It utilized a 1955 Lincoln chassis and running gear, including a 341 cubic-inch (5.6-liter) pushrod V8 engine. The engine was rated at over 200 horsepower (some sources claimed 255 bhp for the show car) and was mated to a three-speed or four-speed automatic transmission. 

 

History and Legacy

The Lincoln Indianapolis was a styling exercise only and never intended for mass production. It garnered significant attention at the Turin Motor Show and was later acquired by Henry Ford II for his personal use. 

The car passed through several prominent collectors over the decades, including Thomas Kerr and the Andrews Collection. It was fully restored in the early 2000s, a process that made some originally non-functional components operational, and has since won numerous awards at prestigious events like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The car remains a unique and celebrated piece of automotive history, known as the "hottest of 'hot rod Lincolns'". It has been displayed in museums, such as the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, and has been sold at auction for over a million dollars. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, UGLY !!

Steve 

This Lincoln Concept looks best from the side and rear. Interior was interesting. Thanks John.

Posted by: @david-green

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This Lincoln Concept looks best from the side and rear. Interior was interesting. Thanks John.

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It is certainly interesting but to my eye it has a cartoonish look to it.

I appreciate its unusual design, just for its unusualness! And I'd grab a replica in 1/24 or 1/43 if available. Here's what looks like dashcam footage? No other comment appears to be available

In agreement with David; it looks better from other angles but still not my favorite car. However, I appreciate seeing it, for the first time I might add; so thank you once again for the opportunity to learn of another automobile concept exercise John!!

Tony, thanks for the pics and the kind words!

Yes, thanks John, I'd never seen it before either. Interesting, I'll leave it at that.😁

@jack-dodds Amen.

I saw this car at Bellisima in Nashville at the Frist Center years back. That was an incredible exhibition!

https://www.roadscholars.com/articles/bellissima-the-italian-automotive-renaissance-1945-1975

The GTO was in its own room, kind of like the Sistine Chapel 😉 It went on to sell for $52million. Meanwhile the Miura looked commonplace in this company.