1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Boano Coupe
The desire for miraculous styling direction and stunning concept cars led to all the non-GM American car brands to pair off with Italian styling houses. During this flurry of deals, Ghia signed up with Chrysler, Bertone for Packard and Carrozerria Touring with Hudson. Lincoln went with a less-renowned name of Felice Paolo to dress a rolling chassis with bespoke coupe bodywork ahead of the Turin motor show. The orange lacquer paint was barely dry on the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Exclusive Study by Carrozzeria Boano Torino when it was rolled onto the rotating platform of the Turin auto show.
Gian Paolo Boano’s futurist design was based upon the idea of an aircraft, with a rounded center section that tapered at each end between pontoon-like outer wings; decorative side exhaust and cooling intakes; and a glassy canopy that recalled streamlined Le Mans racing cars of the 1930s. A traditional grille was removed and replaced by an air opening under the front bumper, which was the largest piece of chrome on the car. Four headlamps stood upright in chromed oval surrounds, while the taillights settled in nearly identical nacelles above jutting chromed exhaust tips.
The interior was designed for two, wrapped in fine leather, with a “stepped” console that divided the bucket seats with their black-and-white two-tone pattern. Driver and passenger faced a fascia that seemed to sweep around the entire interior of the car, with a black insert framed by panels of orange, bearing, in proud block letters, “INDIANAPOLIS.” Only when necessary was the center panel opened, revealing a complete bank of instruments.
The trunk panel is stuffed with a central gas filler cap made of chrome, which leaves a small space or not space at all for luggage. The rear has light housings and rounded oval fenders, while the top features a 3D red brake ball. The finishing touch is the rear unusual bumper. Under the hood of this Lincoln, there is a 5.6-liter V-8 engine with a four-speed automatic transmission which delivers 255 horsepower.
The car is currently in the collection of Paul & Judy Andrews of Forth Worth, Texas. Anyone with a spare two or three million can enter the bidding for this rare vehicle, as it will be up for sale through RM Auctions on November 21st. The last time this car was up for auction in 2006, it fetched $1,375,000. Not surprisingly, this car won the Postwar Custom Coachwork class.
