EDMONTON — A team of students at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is breathing new life into a rare piece of Canadian and royal history—a 1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible once used by Princess Elizabeth during her visit to Canada.
The vintage vehicle, one of only 60 built that year specifically for the royal tour, is undergoing a detailed restoration by students in NAIT’s auto body program. The project has involved 80 students and approximately 1,500 hours of work since February, including the installation of new tires, painting of wheels and underbody, addition of new hubcaps, polishing, and detailed finishing.
“Being able to go back in time and work on a vehicle of this sort is definitely a cool experience,” said Svitozar Krynytskyy, a student involved in the restoration. “I didn’t think I’d be able to do something like this, especially in school.”
The project was made possible after Ron Lyons, owner of Legends Golf and Country Club east of Edmonton, purchased the car in 2024. Lyons, a long-time supporter of NAIT’s auto body program, has previously commissioned students to restore other vintage vehicles for the club’s Golf Car Museum.
“We’re excited to be part of the ongoing history,” said Ryan Pomedli, a NAIT auto body instructor. “To be able to move this car forward and preserve it for future generations is a rare and meaningful opportunity.”
Pomedli noted that the opportunity to work on historically significant vehicles is rare for students in the program, making this restoration particularly special.
The Lincoln Cosmopolitan also carries sentimental value for Barry Cochrane, whose father owned the car for over three decades after purchasing it from a Calgary dealership in 1975.
“It was really special. My dad was proud of that car,” Cochrane said. “We didn’t use it a lot, but we really cherished it.”
Cochrane expressed enthusiasm about the restoration and praised the students’ work after seeing photos of the progress.
The completed vehicle will be showcased at NAIT’s annual car show, taking place this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Patricia Campus.
