Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at Auctions America's
Auburn Fall event, August 31-3, 2017.
Chassis No.
56WA41115L
Estimate:
$125,000 - $175,000 US
In the mid-1950s, the Ford Motor Company realized that their top of
the line Lincolns were no longer competing for sales with Cadillac,
but rather Oldsmobile. The introduction of a fully restyled line of
cars in 1956 headed by an all-new flagship, the Continental Mark
II, indicated that Lincoln was gearing up to challenge Cadillac for
supremacy in the American luxury field.
While the Continental Mark II possessed an almost simplistic
elegant beauty, the all-new Premiere acknowledged American
ostentation in what was expected from a luxury automobile of that
era. With styling influences borrowed from the 1954 Mercury XM-800
show car; the design was, in essence, a venerable posturing of
chrome, futuristic forms and loud colors. The flamboyant design was
recognized by the Industrial Designers Institute with an award for
excellence in automotive design.
An automotive writer of the era observed that no other car seemed
quite as natural in convertible form than a Lincoln; and with the
design of the 1956 Lincoln Premiere, you can easily see the car he
had in mind. When you crown its flowing lines with a rakish
convertible top, it is simply the extension of the essential
Lincoln theme of design; stylish and ready for action.
The 1956 Lincoln was totally redesigned: longer, lower, stunningly
styled, and thoroughly modern. It was packing an upgraded
overhead-valve V-8, producing 275 horsepower, and measuring 368
cubic inches and mated to a standard three-speed Turbo Drive
automatic transmission. All of this came at significantly higher
prices of nearly $5,000, which thrilled Lincoln devotees were
willing to pay. Sales for 1956 reached record levels, rising from
23,673 cars in 1955 to 47,531 in 1956. Rarest and most expensive of
all models was the Premiere Convertible.
One of 2,447 Premiere Convertibles built, this exceptional example
was professionally restored by Harbor Auto Restoration in Pompano
Beach, Florida during the course of 2001-2002 with outstanding
results. An excellent candidate for restoration when the current
owner took possession; the Lincoln is reported as being acquired
with the original paint, original top, original tires, original
interior, and low miles.
A multiple time winner in many venues that includes Antique
Automobile Club of America National Junior and Senior awards, AACA
Grand National awards, Lincoln and Continental Owners Club National
Firsts with 100 out of 100 points scored twice, LCOC Best of Show
"Bell Trophy" in 2002 in Ventura, California, Rocky Mountain
Concours Best in Class, and at the Concours d'Elegance of America
at St. John's with a Best in Class in 2013, plus winning the
Meguiar's Best Reflection award the same year.
The high-end class in the mid-1950s required an abundance of
gadgetry and the new 1956 Lincoln Premiere did not disappoint. Such
features as power windows, four-way seat, steering and brakes were
all standard fare. Safety features included improved door latches,
a deeper steering wheel and padded seatbacks and door panels.
Additional equipment includes power top, automatic headlight
dimmer, push-button lubricator, Town and Country AM radio, and
driver's side spotlight/mirror. The proper spare, jack, and liner
are found in the trunk.
With a great show of detail throughout; the Lincoln is finished in
code 16 Amethyst with an Amethyst and Black interior, plus a Black
soft-top with an Amethyst top boot. Outstanding and distinctive
brightwork decorates the car on the lower sides, including the rear
fender skirts. Factory fits and finishes are seen throughout.
When Motor Life magazine first tested the 1956 Lincoln Premiere in
October 1955, author Ken Fermoyle concluded that "from both a
styling and engineering standpoint the car has a lot of interesting
things to offer.....Lincoln should keep its old friends and very
possibly find a lot of new ones." Old friend or new, this desirable
Lincoln awaits.
