1956 was an award-winning year for Lincoln. Its new longer, lower, sleeker Capri and Premiere models were stunning and made quite a styling statement in the luxury motorcar field that year. Lincoln also made a bit of history by being the first automobile to receive a design award from the prestigious Industrial Designers Institute of New York. But what a difference a year made back in 1956. Lincolns received a facelift for 1957 that reflected the Sputnik era with space-age styling cues and a more assertive vibe overall. Of the scant 3,676 Premiere convertibles built for 1957, here’s one that was treated to a frame-off restoration in 2012 and still looks terrific. It is located in Wonder Lake, Illinois, and is for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for $49,000. Thanks to super-spotter T. J. for sending this rare Lincoln drop top our way.
The seller purchased the car two years ago from the estate of a collector in Florida. That explains the extraordinary condition of this Lincoln. Red isn’t a color I associate with luxury motorcars, but Code 12 Huntsman Red was one of eighteen exterior color choices offered on the ’57 Lincolns. The paint is glossy and shiny as is all of that chrome and I like the badging with the added starbursts. Up front, Lincoln’s received a “bold, massively distinctive Quadra-Lite Grille” with stacked dual lights (referred to as headlights and road lights since dual headlights were not allowed in some states). I can’t find any fault with this Lincoln’s exterior. It looks like a museum piece.
And check out that space-age rear end styling. The camera must’ve been set on Wide Angle, because the “canted rear blades,” as Lincoln called them, are quite exaggerated in the photo above. The rear also features a wraparound “grille” and a massive wraparound bumper with large double-width backup lights. The Sputnik starburst theme is continued on the trunk lid.
The Lincoln’s interior is a wonder to behold. This is what opulent luxury looked like in 1957. The red and white “Button-and-Biscuit” leather seats with the white bolsters are beautiful and don’t appear to be showing any wear or damage. The cool door panels continue the space-age theme and except for a few wrinkles on the black padded dash, the interior looks near perfect. Although not photographed with its convertible top up, the seller’s says in a walk around video that the white convertible top is in very good condition and works properly.
Under that long, red hood is a tidy engine bay showing off the Lincoln’s 368-cubic-inch V8 that was capable of 300 horsepower. The seller says he had the car shipped directly to his mechanic in Illinois and had him go through the car thoroughly. He did a complete service and safety inspection and the car “runs and drives amazing.” You can’t help but be impressed by the presence that this big red convertible oozes. The next owner will definitely get a lot of attention whenever it’s shown at a car show. Could it be you?
I’ve always preferred the 1956 Premier, they tacked on those goofy fins to update the body style for 1957. Having said that, this is one stunning convertible. The asking price is high but good luck finding another one as nice.
This `57 certainly pops in Huntsmen red! Looks like a nice restoration that has held up well. But I have to admit, I love the `56 models better. Not sure what designers were thinking in their attempt to update the `56 body, but it didn’t work that well. These ended up being the ONLY FoMoCo products with real fins! HFII should have had them adhere to the ‘less is more’ design philosophy of the Continental Mark II. It might’ve sold better.
Be happy with what you got, Will. Lincoln was working its way out of the fancy Mercury doldrums here. This hit a sweet spot between the pointless 1955 that looked like some export only rebadged 54 Mercury, and the aircraft carrier sized 58s.
Bold, flamboyant styling. With can’t-miss-it bright red paint. Overall, an over-the-top car, fitting for the mid-50’s. Ron said it well: “You can’t help but be impressed by the presence that this big red convertible oozes.”
Fabulous! Would have to sell two cars to find the space in my garage but might be worth it. Great find!
One of the FIRST Lincolns to be a gen u ine LAND YACHT! The beginning of Lincoln DYNASTY of*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 its way! What’s NOT to love? Respectfully submitted on behalf of The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT PRESERVATION SOCIETY wishing ALL BARN FINDERS a happy Turkey Day (we have so much for which we are Thankful) and of course, A Very Merry Happy KwanZaMas 🎄 🎅 ✡️
best land yacht I ever owned was a 1978 Lincoln mark v great car one of the longest hoods known
Mine was a 78 Town Coupe, but 89 Town Car Signature and current 2007 Signature Limited have kept me Thinkin LINCOLN.
I’m not a convertible guy at all and it’s not my favorite year for Lincolns, but you can’t deny it’s not a beautiful car.
I personally cannot NOT deny it’s not a beautiful car. Did I say that right?
Elvis drove one in “Jailhouse Rock” (1957).
My first thought was this might be the car from the movie “Meet Me in Las Vegas,” but when I checked, that one was a ’56. I actually love the fins and prefer this one over the ’56, but as with every car, it’s about what I like, not what someone else likes. That is why I have a perfect ’93 GEO Metro convertible, and not something more mainstream. This car is a dream.