Vehicle Description
1956 Lincoln Premiere 2 Door Hardtop
The Lincoln Premiere was a luxury car model sold by Lincoln in the
1956 to 1960 model years. Positioned below the company's
Continental Mark II during 1956-1957 and above the Capri it was
based on from 1956-1959, it was produced in 2 and 4 door versions
which could both accommodate up to six people. The Premiere sedan
was the mid-level sedan under the Continental Mark III-V sedans,
until it was replaced with the 1961 Continental sedan.
For consignment, a nice driver example of the 1956 Lincoln Premier
in two door format with a Starmist White exterior. Dripping with
mid 1950's styling, this car makes use of big chrome bumpers, wrap
around glass, rounded over finnage, and a massive continental rear
bumper. Shades of the Batmobile on the front headlights taken from
the previous year's styling of the Ford concept car called the
Futura are noted. This car was bought by our consignor's father
against his mechanic experience advice, but was tinkered with and
became colloquially known as the "Pimp Mobile". A cruiser that
father and son would work and then go for a cruise and have a few
beers!
Exterior
With its borrowed headlight shape from the Lincoln Futura, it is
looking much like the St. Louis arch with the bezels and descending
waterfall vents on either side. Just below is a horizontal ribbed
grille with a large bumper topper running through the middle
housing the ovoid styled turn signals. More horizontal ribbing is
seen below this, and then the massive lower bumper for the bottom
caps things off. Topping the hood is a beautiful large hood
ornament in the form of a gold knight in winged swept back armor
torso, and he sits within a dual chromed V which streaks rearward
towards the large windshield. Add in some L I N C O L N blocked
type across the front of the hood and now we are dripping with
chrome with some dimples and during showing for their condition.
All this dripping is going on top of a Maaco coat of Starmist White
paint which shows some doling, chip offs and areas of body filler
sanded roughly then painted over with rattle can. Throughout the
rest of the steel, we see more slathered on body filler, some
cracking and underlying light rust developing, and chip off areas
of said filler. Script Lincoln badging in your grandmother's
handwriting, rocker trimming which begins on the front quarter as a
spear, and runs rearward where it widens and frames the rear wheel
well that has a fender skirt installed. On the back, large inverted
V tail lights have a big rear bumper just below, which has
tailpipes inserted along with the continental spare tire tray to
make this car 20 feet long! The bumpers show chrome delamination
and areas of dimpling. Thin whites and dog dish chrome wheel covers
with a gold starburst, (think 50's!), are all around and all in
fair condition. A shout out to the white painted roof, and all the
chrome surrounding the wrap around windows, pillars and door
sills...worth the price of admission just with this. Noted the
trunk lid sits slightly askew from the rear fenders.
Interior
Some additional jet age styling inside on the door panels with
sleek molded in door armrest/pulls, a rounded padded chevron white
insert and some black vinyl for the sills. The panels are soiled
and show plenty of wear, especially in the sills. The wing window
crank is in a big round dish bezel with perfectly preserved
stainless and a black strip runs below and is offered up in ribbed
vinyl. A nifty molded-in courtesy light is just above the crank.
Lowering my Ray Ban Wayfarers on my nose, I can peer better into
the passenger compartment. I slip through the dirty thresholds and
here I see a large split back bench with black tuck and roll
inserts in tiger striped broadcloth, with white leather surrounding
bolsters. These chairs are very rough with lots of cracking at the
seams and severe wear on the leather entry bolsters. In back is a
long rear bench in the same pattern as the front, with a white
leather armrest in the center. Talk about mid-century styling, take
a gander at the dash. It is loaded with innovative design, from the
spaceship toggled air controls, to the cone shaped knobs with
Bakelite and chrome, to the additional raised dash gauge cluster
which pops out of the dash top in front of the driver. The dash
utilizes a crushed oval ,( inverted chevron), style shape with the
top being black and the bottom being white. Controls for power
windows, power seats, a power antenna, power brakes, and numerous
controls are positioned within reach of the driver. All in 50's
style gray outdoor carpet is below, and a new white headliner is
above in pristine condition and in contrast to the rest of the
interior.
Drivetrain
The 351ci M series V8 is under the hood and sits within an aged
engine bay. This replacement mill is from a late 70's Thunderbird
and has a mild cam installed and sports a single 4-barrel Edelbrock
carburetor and intake manifold atop. A 3-speed C4 from the same
Thunderbird is on back and a 3.07 geared rear axle is also noted
for the drivetrain. This mill is peppered with dulled chrome add
ons like the valve covers and open air cleaner housing. Some gaffer
tape is noted on the black firewall holding a box to the wall.
Undercarriage
Plenty of heavy surface rust, worn and tattered undercoating and
some invasive rust on the inner rockers and body hangers is noted.
The frame is solid and rust free and the under door edges are
showing some rust and crinkling of the edges. Independent coil
springs are on in front and leaf springs for the rear providing the
ride and power drum brakes are all around. A glasspack style dual
exhaust is making its way from the front engine to back through the
bumper exit.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and off to the test track where I could play with
all the buttons and knobs to my heart's content. Fine smooth
acceleration, a smooth idle, good braking, and fantastic cornering
for a large car, this is a real 1950's treat. Being a sucker for
mid century modern design doesn't hurt either. A highlight is the
type font on the speedo, check it out. Those 50's automotive
stylists were so kewl. The gas gage was reading wonky, the power
seat control is hidden,and the power antenna has been removed from
the car, but all else was working as intended.
Very few examples of this car will exist, and in this condition,
you have an open palette to do whatever you want and can drive it
around whilst doing so. Bang for your buck would be the buzz word
for these beautiful pieces of Detroit sculpted iron, all with the
customer in mind to show off their excesses to their suburban
neighbors. Put this beauty in your driveway and imagine the
response you'll get. Neighbors will be white with envy...da, da,
da, da da, da, da, da da da...Batman!
56WA3773L
56-1956
WA-Wayne, MI Assy Plant
3773-Sequential Unit Number
L-Lincoln Line
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
