This 1956 Lincoln Premier Series sedan is a statement in Mid-Century luxury, colors and tastefulness. Lincoln’s all-new styling for 1956 distinguished the new cars from the Mercury-based roots of earlier post-war Lincolns. The ‘new’ Lincoln was longer, lower and wider, with a unified look provided by the flow-through styling that brought Lincoln back to its deserved place as a direct competitor of Cadillac, Packard and Chrysler’s Imperial.

The Premiere Series was introduced in 1956 as the top of the Lincoln range, above the Capri. [The Continental Mark II was produced by the Continental Division of Ford Motor Company, and not considered to be a Lincoln.] Like its select rivals, the Premiere line featured the most powerful engines and the highest level of style and comfort including distinctive paint colors, fine fabrics and many features provided as standard equipment that were optional on other automobiles. Twenty-nine combinations of decorator fabrics and leather were available. The styling brought forward several features and details from recent show cars designed by Ford stylist William M. Schmidt, who was also the lead designer for the 1956 Lincoln. These included the hooded headlamps, the ‘waterfall’ break line low on the sides of the body and the dip at the front of the hood. While the sedan did not share the Hardtop Coupe’s pillar-less profile, designers made an effort to disguise the roof pillars with polished trim. A long chrome spear running from just behind the front wheel to the rear bumper also served to lower the eye and enhance the length of the car. Advertising touted safety features standard in the new Lincolns including a retracted steering column with a ‘Safety Flex’ steering wheel and triple strength door locks.

This stylish sedan is a quality older restoration that has been very well maintained. The restoration included new paint, chrome work and interior on a fully-equipped original car. Finished in its original and eye catching color of Amethyst, matched with an interior that combines pink leather seats and door panels with tasteful textured grey fabric inserts. The dashboard, carpet and door trim are black. The dashboard presents all controls conveniently and smartly displayed and includes a Town and Country radio with rear speaker. Other features include an automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, power seats and windows, as well as dual rear view mirrors and fog lights. The car rides on correct wide whitewall tires with full wheel covers displaying the Premiere logo. Both the engine compartment and the trunk have been highly detailed.

This is an automobile that speaks to post-war elegance and distinction; a delight for evenings out, special occasions and touring scenic highways on fine days.