When you get it, flaunt it, right? That’s certainly the case with this 1956 Lincoln Premiere—what a visual statement! It’s everything, really—the colors, the condition, and, of course, that so-kool fifties styling. With a boast of “nothing has been modified or restored” this 94K mile Tampa, Florida resident is available here on craigslist for $19,999. Three cheers to Mitchell G. for this fabulous find!
Between model years ’56 and ’60, Lincoln’s Premiere offered body styles including two-door hardtops and convertibles, as well as four-door sedans and hardtops. These started out as big cars in ’56, tipping the scales at 4,600 lbs., stretched out to 223 inches in length, and riding on a 126″ wheelbase. In ’58, their size amped up making them larger still and outsizing similar models from Cadillac and Imperial. Popular? Yes, approximately 41K Premieres were assembled in ’56 with about half of that total being two-door hardtops such as our subject.
The two-tone finish is just perfect and the seller assures interested buyers that this Premiere is “beautifully preserved” and it sure looks it. It’s remarkable that this almost 70-year-old luxury rig has seen as much use as it has and still presents so perfectly. The star of the show, I’d posit, is this Premiere’s fabulous styling. Specifically, the hooded headlights and massive rear bumper. This is truly a design that mirrors America’s postwar “anything is possible – there are no limits” mentality. While not as chrome-laden as some domestic models that followed in the next two years or so, this Premiere has its fair share of the shiny stuff.
A big, flashy car needs big power and in this case, we’re talkin’ a 275 gross HP 368 CI V8. While not as prodigious a powerplant as what followed in the late fifties and early sixties, it’s still impressive for the era. The transmission appears to be a three-speed Turbo-Drive automatic but unfortunately, there’s no mention of this Premiere’s running or driving attributes.
The interior is about what one would expect for a car of this stature. The two-tone leather upholstery is fresh and unmarred while the light blue and white combination echos the fifties’ enthusiasm. The interior images are more snippets than anything comprehensive but what’s provided will assure potential buyers that the headliner, door panels, dash, and instrument panel are in fine nick. Maybe best of all is this Lincoln’s optional A/C system. Note the listing images and you’ll be able to spy the clear tubes that channel cooled air from the trunk-mounted evaporator up into vents positioned in the headliner.
A stunner? You bet! I can say with certainty that we will not see automobiles of this nature produced again, anywhere – these were really works of art born in a time when a designer’s imagination was the only limiting factor and the federal government had no role in what we drove. And that leads me to the matter of price. What’s your thought, at $19,900 is this Lincoln Premiere priced right, or not quite?
Its kind of an interesting mild custom. Shaved the door handles, and the ’55 Mercury trim on the doors looks good on this Lincoln. I think there should be chrome around the tail lights thats been removed. They didn’t go nuts with the modifications, it was tastefully done. Nice looking Lincoln.
I noticed the shaved door handles as well. It would be interesting to know the back story on this car, if it’s never been restored.
I’ve never been a Fordnatic but I do appreciate all cars and trucks. These are so smooth with the airy cabin and outward lean of both the fenders and quarters. I dig it.
Please, when taking pictures, climb in the back for the dash shot. Nobody wants to see your leg and feet in the pic. Same goes for sweeping the floor.
Gone.
If it’s gone, no surprise. Even with modifications this is a Premiere 😉 of what was to come for Lincoln. 56 Lincoln won an award for styling from an industrial design firm. It’s HUGE! It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! Other cars part like the Red Sea to get out of the way! What’s NOT to love? Still Thinkin Lincoln after all These years!
My first thought was “the Batmobile in BLUE! And with a/c!”. Nice car, probably really good and comfortable for cruise nights. And the price (I think) is not obscenely high, like so many these days. 20k seems about right for a mild custom driver.
Bingo! Me too, and the amazing part, George Barris took on the task of making the 1955 Lincoln Futura, that had similar styling, into the Batmobile. It was purchased from some back warehouse for a dollar, had 2 weeks and $15,000 dollars to create the Batmobile. He was an amazing car builder.
I would have bought it just for the fuzzy dice.
Give me 40 acres and I’ll turn this rig around!
Anyone know the turning radius?
Posting expired…not necessarily sold.
It’s kind of strange. One of my grandfathers
Cadillacs(57) had a 368 with an identical air cleaner. Strange
Cadillac; what a Lincoln wants to be.
Wow! Love it! Made my morning for sure! Wish I could have it!
Fifties Lincolns!!! My all time favorite automobile! Just sooo over the top flashy! ROCK’N’ROLL on wheels! The Little Richard to Elvis Presley’s Cadillac! The Jayne Mansfield of cars perhaps! I loved watching Perry Mason episodes with Raymond Burr driving his convertible Lincoln! Nothing succeeds like excess and some models had ten! lights up front. Okay the ’58 Eldo comes close!