1956 Lincoln Premiere 1956 Lincoln Premiere

11,522 original mile survivor. Exceptional condition with only routine maintenance since new. Recent tune-up so it runs and drives like new.

Finished in Presidential Black, the long Lincoln looks elegant and sophisticated, and seems to eschew the glitz and glamour that would follow in subsequent years. Of course, as a survivor, this car shows a few signs of use and age, but the overall presentation is quite impressive. The black paint has a lustrous gloss that only vintage lacquer can achieve, and while there are a few bumps and bruises on its surface, there’s simply no call to restore or refinish any panel. There is absolutely no sign of rust anywhere, and not a single panel has been refinished or replaced during the car’s lifetime. The car’s length is emphasized by bright moldings along the lower edge of the body, all of which remain in excellent condition with no dings or road rash, and the fender skirts fit flush with no signs of rust in this trouble-prone area. All the glass, including the panoramic front and rear windshields, is in excellent condition with no scratches, cracks or even major signs of delamination. It is a survivor in the strictest sense of the word.

The industry’s fascination with aircraft design and controls is evident inside, where the immaculate black and white leather interior was state-of-the-art in 1956. Everything is fully functional, including all four windows, the AM radio, and even the clock, which has merely been disconnected to prevent draining the battery while parked. All the markings and gauges are as new, with few signs of age. Seating surfaces are unblemished, although the white door panels show some light soiling that could be easily remedied with an afternoon’s worth of detail work. In back, there are limousine-like accommodations, including a lovely oversized ashtray that appears to have never been used. Carpets, headliner, door panels, and even the top of the dash are in exemplary condition thanks to years of careful care and storage. The trunk has been reupholstered in black carpet, which is neither correct nor original, but they were careful to retain the original mat underneath, and while a bit dirty and faded, remains in usable condition for HPOF showing and competition. A look under that mat reveals a completely rust-free original floor with exactly zero issues. The spare looks suitably old to be original, although I’m not sure Lincoln was using Dunlop tires, but it’s certainly possible, and a full jack assembly is included.

The Premiere uses a 368 cubic inch version of Ford’s newly developed Y-block V8 making a substantial 285 horsepower, which was more than enough to be competitive with the Cadillacs from across town. In fact, despite the substantial increase in size for 1956, the Premiere was the fastest Lincoln yet. The engine has been recently tuned, so it starts easily and idles with a muscular hum, and out on the open road the boundless reserves of torque make it feel as effortless as the QE2. Completely original aside from service items, the engine bay shows a high degree of authenticity and no evidence of rust or damage. Authentic finishes such as the turquoise paint on the block, proper plating on things like the power brake booster, and original wiring are all intact.

Interestingly enough, Lincoln was using a GM Hydramatic automatic transmission until 1955, when the all-new Turbo-Drive transmission was introduced. On this car, it clicks through the gears unobtrusively, and thanks to tall gearing out back it is a superlative highway cruiser. Once it’s up to speed, it is surprisingly quick and agile for such a big beast; apparently all those years of road racing in Mexico taught the Lincoln engineers a few things about handling and performance. The ride is pillow soft on the highway, and it loafs along with only the wind whispering past the side mirrors reminding you that you’re going 70 MPH. Braking is firm and adequate for the car’s performance, and the newer L78-15 Coker wide whitewalls look authentic.

The ’56 Premiere was so popular that even after the restyled ‘57s came out, buyers came to Lincoln showrooms looking for leftovers. Today, the understated elegant look is a wonderful contrast to much of the late ‘50s angularity and flash, and few cars have as commanding a presence as this one. Superbly preserved, ready to drive, show, and enjoy, this is an under-rated collectable that delivers everything its looks and reputation promise.

For more information and photos, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsUSA.com.