The Carrera Panamericana road race was founded in 1950 as a way to celebrate and create awareness of the opening of the Pan-American Highway in Mexico. Over the next four years, the event was rife with accidents and misfortune and would go on to be known as one of the most grueling in all of motor sports. The robust Lincolns of that era had great success in the stock car division and, in 1952 and 1953, Lincolns finished in the top four places in that class. While the original Carrera was put on hiatus after 1954, a new race was organized in 1988 to celebrate the spirit of the Carrera, and it continues as an annual event today.

The Lincoln Cosmopolitan Coupe on offer here was reportedly used as a race car in the 1970s and, circa 2005, was converted to rally specification and specifically built to withstand the rigors of the modern La Carrera Panamericana rally. Featuring striking period-style racing livery, this 11-time Carrera participant earned the nickname “La Bestia del Norte” (The Beast of the North) and has benefited from numerous upgrades and modern rally improvements, including drivetrain, brakes, electrical, safety, and suspension modifications.

With as few as 30% of the starting vehicles actually making it to the finish line, the merits of this racing Lincoln cannot be overstated. Ready for its next adventure, this beautiful beast surely deserves your close attention.