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The Lincoln EL-Series was a full-size luxury automobile line sold in the United States from 1949 through 1951.

Last updated October 22, 2026

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Overview

The Lincoln EL-Series was a full-size luxury car marketed under the single Lincoln nameplate from 1949 to 1951. It replaced the H-Series Lincoln and represented the first complete redesign of Lincoln's sedan line since 1936. Unlike later Lincoln products that commonly used distinct model names, the EL-Series cars were sold simply as Lincolns, with no separate model designation on the vehicle. Within the contemporary Lincoln range, the line occupied a position below the more upscale Cosmopolitan. The EL-Series was the first Lincoln developed under Ford Motor Company's combined Lincoln-Mercury Division. Its engineering and manufacturing reflected the postwar consolidation of Ford's passenger-car operations. The car shared much of its body structure and styling architecture with the 1949 Mercury Eight, but Lincoln distinguished the model through a longer 121-inch wheelbase, different trim treatment, and a more formal luxury presentation. Production took place at Lincoln Assembly in Dearborn, Michigan, and was also sourced from Maywood Assembly in Maywood, California. The 1949 car introduced a streamlined postwar design with ponton-style bodywork. Recessed headlights and a brighter front-end treatment helped separate it visually from the closely related Mercury, although the two cars remained similar in overall appearance. A two-piece windshield was retained, an element that appeared less modern than the rest of the design. The powertrain marked an important technical transition: for the first time since 1933, a Lincoln used a V8 rather than a V12. The 337-cubic-inch flathead V8 was shared with Ford's F-Series Big Job trucks and was rated at 152 horsepower at 3,600 rpm. For 1950, Lincoln revised the front grille with a new horizontal treatment and made several detail improvements, including larger exterior name lettering, better door handles, and a more coherent interior layout. The convertible was removed after Mercury's closely related convertible had substantially outsold the Lincoln version. Later in the model year, engine balancing, piston-ring configuration, cooling, and alloy content were revised to address vibration, oil consumption, and durability concerns. These changes produced a smoother-running engine and a modest increase in its rated output. The 1951 Lincoln received another exterior update. Its grille treatment was shortened toward the center section and bumper guards, while new side chrome appeared on the front fenders. The rear design adopted a version of the contemporary Mercury's tapered styling, although commentary on the effect on rear visibility has differed. The Lido coupe also returned for 1951 after its introduction during the previous model year. With a covered roof, fender skirts, rocker-panel moldings, special trim, and a custom interior, the Lido was intended to compete with the increasingly popular hardtop-style offerings from General Motors. It attracted limited demand. For the 1952 model year, Ford replaced the EL-Series Lincoln with a redesign of the Cosmopolitan. The change ended the short-lived EL-Series and coincided with Lincoln's return to using separate divisional model names within its range.

History

The EL-Series emerged during Ford's postwar effort to reorganize and modernize its passenger-car portfolio. Introduced on April 22, 1948, for the 1949 model year, it was the first entirely new postwar Lincoln sedan design and the first complete redesign of the Lincoln sedan line since 1936. The model replaced the H-Series, whose lineage was tied more closely to the prewar Zephyr. The new car adopted the streamlined, ponton-influenced appearance that was becoming common among American manufacturers after the Second World War. Although the EL-Series shared substantial body architecture with the 1949 Mercury Eight, it was not merely a rebadged Mercury. Lincoln used a 121-inch wheelbase, longer than the Mercury's, and applied distinct front-end details, trim, and luxury appointments. The relationship reflected the new organizational structure in which Lincoln and Mercury operated together within Ford's Lincoln-Mercury Division. Production was divided between Lincoln Assembly in Dearborn, Michigan, and Maywood Assembly in California. The powertrain was historically significant for the marque. The EL-Series returned Lincoln to V8 power after the division had used V12 engines since 1933. Its 337-cubic-inch flathead V8 was related to the engine used in Ford's F-Series Big Job trucks and produced 152 horsepower at 3,600 rpm in its initial specification. The car's recessed headlamps and bright grille helped it stand apart from Mercury, although the similarity between the two makes remained obvious at a distance. The two-piece windshield was retained despite the otherwise modernized body. Lincoln revised the car for 1950 with a horizontal grille, larger front-fender lettering, improved door handles, and a redesigned interior arrangement. The convertible was discontinued, in part because Mercury's similar convertible had performed better in the market. Mechanical revisions late in the model year addressed complaints involving vibration and oil consumption. Engine balancing was improved, the piston-ring arrangement was changed, the cooling system was revised, and additional alloy content supported better durability. The result was a smoother and somewhat more refined powertrain. A premium Lido version was introduced on July 5, 1950. It was offered as a coupe and as a sedan with rear-hinged rear doors. The Lido used a covered roof, fender skirts, bright roof-drip rails, rocker-panel moldings, dual door mirrors, a Cosmopolitan-derived gold-colored hood ornament, and a custom leather interior. An electric clock was standard. The model was conceived as Lincoln's response to the hardtop trend established by General Motors, but sales were limited because customers generally favored the more established GM alternatives. For 1951, Lincoln altered the front end again, shortened the grille-bar treatment, and added a forward-slanting vertical chrome element to the front fenders. The rear styling borrowed from the contemporary Mercury design, producing a tapered or fishtail-like appearance. The Lido returned with similar luxury-oriented trim and roof treatments. Despite these updates, the EL-Series had a brief life. For 1952, Lincoln replaced it with a redesigned Cosmopolitan and resumed using separate divisional model names across its range. The EL-Series therefore occupies a transitional place in Lincoln history: it was a postwar redesign, an early product of the Lincoln-Mercury organization, and the marque's first V8-powered line since the prewar period.

1951
Final EL-Series model year
[1]Lincoln (EL-series)en.wikipedia.org
The line received revised front and rear styling, and the Lido returned. The EL-Series ended after 1951 and was replaced for 1952 by a redesigned Cosmopolitan.
1950
Grille and mechanical revisions
[1]Lincoln (EL-series)en.wikipedia.org
Lincoln introduced a revised horizontal grille, detail improvements, and later model-year engine and cooling changes intended to reduce vibration and oil consumption.
1950
Lincoln Lido introduced
[1]Lincoln (EL-series)en.wikipedia.org
The Lido was launched on July 5 as a more elaborately trimmed coupe and sedan intended to answer the emerging General Motors hardtop market.
1949
EL-Series enters production
[1]Lincoln (EL-series)en.wikipedia.org
The EL-Series became Lincoln's full-size standard line, positioned below the Cosmopolitan and offered with a 337-cubic-inch flathead V8 rated at 152 horsepower.
1948
Postwar redesign introduced
[1]Lincoln (EL-series)en.wikipedia.org
The first all-new postwar Lincoln was introduced on April 22, 1948, for the 1949 model year. The redesign replaced the H-Series and used streamlined ponton-style bodywork.

Products and positioning

A full-size American luxury automobile positioned below the Lincoln Cosmopolitan and differentiated from the closely related Mercury Eight through a longer wheelbase, Lincoln-specific trim, and more formal equipment.

Full-size luxury car · 1949
Lincoln standard model
The core EL-Series automobile was sold simply as the Lincoln, without a separate model name. It was a full-size sedan and related body-style line positioned below the Cosmopolitan. The car shared much of its body architecture with the 1949 Mercury Eight but used a longer 121-inch wheelbase and Lincoln-specific exterior and interior details. Its 337-cubic-inch flathead V8 was notable as Lincoln's return to V8 power after the marque's long use of V12 engines.
Luxury coupe and sedan · 1950
Lincoln Lido
The Lido was a highly trimmed EL-Series variant introduced in July 1950 and continued for 1951. It was offered as a coupe and as a sedan with rear-hinged rear doors. Features included a canvas or vinyl-covered roof, fender skirts, bright roof-drip rails, rocker-panel moldings, dual door mirrors, a special hood ornament, custom leather upholstery, and a standard electric clock. It was intended to compete with General Motors' hardtop-style cars but sold in small numbers.

Controversies

2022
Ford recalls about 200,000 vehicles over braking defects
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered Ford Motor Company to recall about 200,000 vehicles in the United States over braking problems affecting certain Lincoln MKZ, Ford Fusion and Ford Mustang models. Ford said owners would need to take affected cars to a dealer for no-cost repairs; the defects could leave brake lights on and, on some vehicles, allow the car to shift out of park without the driver's foot on the brake.
Source
2022
Ford recalls about 200,000 cars over brake-light defect
Ford announced a recall of about 200,000 vehicles in the United States because a brake pedal part can disintegrate, causing brake lights to remain on and creating a crash risk. Dealers will replace the affected brake and clutch pedal bumpers; owners were to be notified by mail starting March 3.
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2022
Ford announces recall of nearly 200,000 vehicles
Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall covering certain 2014–2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ and 2015 Mustang vehicles because their brake lights may not turn off; affected vehicles may also be shifted out of Park without the brake applied, increasing rollaway and crash risk. Owners will be directed to dealers for free replacement of brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers.
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2021
Ford announces recalls of SUVs and trucks
Ford announced three recalls covering 850,630 SUVs and trucks. The recalls address, among other issues, a potential fire risk in certain Lincoln Aviators, a weld issue in certain F-350 Super Duty trucks, and a suspension issue in certain Ford Explorers.
Source
2021
Ford recalls 2020–2021 Lincoln Aviators over battery-cable hazard
Ford announced a recall of 40,995 2020–2021 Lincoln Aviators equipped with a 3.0-liter petrol engine. A battery-cable wire harness may contact the A/C compressor pulley, potentially wear through its insulation and cause a short circuit or fire. Ford said it knew of no incidents related to the issue.
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2021
Ford recalls 2020–2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles over battery cable harness concern
Ford announced a safety recall of approximately 40,995 2020–2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter gas engines because the battery cable harness may contact the A/C compressor pulley, potentially causing a short circuit and fire. Ford said it was not aware of accidents, injuries or fires related to the concern.
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2021
Ford recalls vehicles to check for obsolete Takata air bags
Ford issued two recalls covering more than 154,000 vehicles in North America to check for obsolete Takata air bags that can explode and hurl shrapnel. Dealers will inspect the air bag units and replace them if necessary; Ford said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the problem.
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2021
Recall of certain imported 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles in China
Ford Motor Company (China) filed a recall plan covering 2,290 certain imported 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from June 11, 2014 to February 12, 2015. The affected door-latch pawl-spring adjustment base may break after prolonged use, potentially preventing doors from locking or allowing locked doors to unlock while driving. The recall is scheduled to begin March 1, 2021, with authorized Lincoln dealers to replace the door latches free of charge.
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2020
Ford recalls replacement headlamps for certain Lincoln MKZ vehicles
Ford issued a recall affecting 130 headlamps in 37 Lincoln MKZ vehicles from model years 2013 to 2016. The replacement headlamps did not comply with U.S. vehicle safety standards. Dealers will inspect the headlamps and replace them as needed.
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2019
Ford recalls Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles
Ford issued a safety recall covering Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. Under the recall, dealers will check fasteners and rear-wheel alignment and inspect tires, replacing them if necessary. The source states that a disconnected fastener increases the risk of a crash. The recall was reported on October 31, 2019, and the affected vehicles were built at the Kentucky Truck Plant.
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Brand decisions

1952
Replacement by a redesigned CosmopolitanGeneration change
Background
Ford revised the Lincoln range after the short EL-Series production run.
Action taken
The EL-Series Lincoln was discontinued and replaced by a redesign of the Cosmopolitan for 1952.
Aftermath
Lincoln revived the use of divisional model names across its product line rather than continuing the single-name EL-Series approach.
Source
1950
Discontinuation of the Lincoln convertibleGeneration change
Background
The EL-Series initially included a convertible, but Mercury's closely related convertible had outsold it by a wide margin during 1949.
Action taken
Lincoln removed the convertible from the 1950 lineup.
Aftermath
The EL-Series continued with other body styles, including the later Lido offerings, while the convertible was no longer part of the range.
Source
1950
Launch of the Lincoln LidoProduct launch
Background
General Motors' hardtop-style cars had created a growing market for coupes without conventional center roof pillars.
Action taken
Lincoln introduced the Lido on July 5, 1950, with distinctive roof covering, exterior moldings, luxury trim, and a custom interior.
Aftermath
The Lido returned for 1951 but attracted limited sales compared with competing GM hardtop products.
Source

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