Wow, nice Lincoln, 56yblock! I agree with Dobie on the styling: rather subdued compared Cadillacs and Chryslers of the era, but the '56 Lincoln still had that bold late '50's American luxury car look. Very distinctive. The low front wheel wells never caught on with other luxury brands, but I think they're cool...they help give the car its sleek look. Congrats!
1956 lincoln premiere
- Thread starter 56yblock
- Start date
mercman from oz
Well-known member
Yet another 1956 Lincoln Premiere that has made its way "down-under".
Dobie Gillis
Well-known member
It would be very difficult to improve the looks of these cars (the '57 update was NOT an improvement IMO). Bill Schmidt was given carte blanche by Henry II to update the nice but somewhat stodgy '52-'55 Lincolns with an eye toward outselling the arch rival, Cadillac. They didn't succeed at that but came damn close. The design won a prestigious award for industrial design in 1956. If I had one and drove it regularly I'd certainly consider transplanting an AOD and ditching the Loadamatic system. We're talking about a car that got maybe 10 MPG on the premium pump gas of the day.
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rotorwrench
Well-known member
The 368* Lincoln Y-block with a 4V were 285 horse power engines but likely were a bit heavier that the 312 little brother since they are a big block. Mileage for the Continental Mark II was tested at 16-MPG at 50 MPH. I don't know about the Premier but there may be some difference in weight between it and the Mark II.
Mark II cars are valued more highly due to the rarity of the model but the Premier is a close 2nd in my book. Folks with Mark II cars ask about transmission swaps now and then. I would go with the AOD myself but the Turbo Drive is OK as long as parts are still out there.
* had 1956 on the mind for some reason and failed to proof read.
Mark II cars are valued more highly due to the rarity of the model but the Premier is a close 2nd in my book. Folks with Mark II cars ask about transmission swaps now and then. I would go with the AOD myself but the Turbo Drive is OK as long as parts are still out there.
* had 1956 on the mind for some reason and failed to proof read.
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KULTULZ
Well-known member
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
I totally agree.
The '52 thru '55 were somewhat copied from the 52-54 Ford/Merc bodies except the 4-dr sedan top and the '55 Linc upper rear quarter. In '55, Linc kept the old juggernaut '52-54 body-style pretty much intact, while Ford/Merc progressed on with the new body style and wrap-around windshield. It wasn't till the '56 model year that Linc copied the '55 top, windshield and back window. But the '56 Linc has a more streamlined and luxurious looking body exterior. My absolute favorite Linc of the '50's was the '52 Cosmopolitan that had that stainless trim over the scoop on the rear quarter that makes it look like a rocket ship.
While the '49 Caddy body design might have been revolutionary in it's time, they pretty much kept it unchanged through '56. It does appear that the '56 Linc copied the idea of the dropped front wheel opening from the '49-'56 Caddy. And it does make the car look pretty slick.
mercman from oz
Well-known member
1956 Lincoln Premiere owned by 56yblock.
Dobie Gillis
Well-known member
Dave, for '57 it looks like Ford succumbed to the tail fin and chrome craze with the Lincoln. Tail fins were a styling touch they avoided except in that one instance. They ruined a design that borders on timelessness. The fins almost appeared tacked on as with the '56 Studebaker Hawks, but Stude made it work. The Lincoln looks like something George Jetson would drive. And they ruined the front end treatment with the quad headlights that also look tacked on. Total Lincoln production for '56 was 50,322, for '57 that dropped to 41,123, so I'd say public reaction to the restyle was less than stellar. I'm betting Bill Schmidt had to be dragged to it kicking and screaming if indeed he had anything to do with it. If it were me I would have quit.
mercman from oz
Well-known member
1957 Lincoln Premiere Coupe that now calls Australia home.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The 1957 change was Lincolns's last hurrah for sharp tail fins on a rounded car but added the distinctive dual vertical mount headlights. It certainly got busier lines and trim. Most of the Ford and Mercury cars went square that year. The Thunderbird went through it's last change for the baby bird era before it too went box.
1958 went to a mix of square and round that a lot of folks ran from. The Lincoln's popularity took a nose dive for a time. They were different but likely too damn different for a lot of folks.
1958 went to a mix of square and round that a lot of folks ran from. The Lincoln's popularity took a nose dive for a time. They were different but likely too damn different for a lot of folks.
mercman from oz
Well-known member
The Tail Lights on the 1957 Lincolns are not as subtle as the ones on the 1956 Lincolns.
Dobie Gillis
Well-known member
Nothing on the '57 Lincoln was as subtle as the '56...
mercman from oz
Well-known member
Another 1957 Lincoln Premier Coupe that calls Australia home.
