{{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox automobile |image = File:1957 Lincoln Premiere (4691118352).jpg |caption = 1957 Lincoln Premiere 2-Door Hardtop Coupe |name = Lincoln Premiere |predecessor=[[Lincoln Cosmopolitian]] |successor=[[Lincoln Continental#Fourth generation (1961–1969)|Lincoln Continental]] (1961) |manufacturer = [[Lincoln Motor Company|Lincoln]] ([[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]) |production = 1955–1960 |layout = [[FR layout]] |class = [[full-size]] [[luxury car]] }}
The '''Lincoln Premiere''' is a [[luxury car]] model that was sold by [[Lincoln Motor Company|Lincoln]] in the 1956<ref name="flory2008">{{cite book|last=Flory Jr.|first=J. "Kelly"|title=American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year|year=2008|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|isbn=978-0-7864-3229-5}}</ref> to 1960 model years. Positioned below the company's [[Continental Mark II]] coupe during 1956–1957 and above the [[Lincoln Capri|Capri]] which it shared from 1956 to 1959, it was produced in 2 and 4 door versions which could both accommodate up to six people.<ref name="Kowalke 1997">{{cite book|last=Kowalke|first=Ron|title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975|year=1997|publisher=Krause publications|isbn=0-87341-521-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/standardcatalogo00beve}}</ref>
The Premiere was for a short time the largest, top level 4-door sedan Lincoln offered against rivals from Cadillac, Imperial and Packard during the mid-1950s while not being available as an extended length limousine.<ref name="flory2008" />
For 1958, the Premiere shared its chassis and mechanicals with the [[Lincoln Continental Mark series#Mark III, IV and V (1958–1960)|Continental Mark III–V]] sedans, until it was replaced with the 1961 [[Lincoln Continental#Fourth generation (1961–1969)|Continental]] sedan.
The Premiere name has been currently revived as a trim level on Lincoln models. {{TOC left}} {{Clear}}
==1956–1957== {{Infobox automobile |image = 1957 Lincoln Premiere - Flickr - skinnylawyer.jpg |caption = 1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible |name = First generation |model_years = 1956–1957 |assembly=[[Wayne Stamping & Assembly|Wayne Assembly]], [[Wayne, Michigan]]<ref name="flory2008" /><br />(Branch Assembly)<br />[[Maywood Assembly]], [[Maywood, California]]<ref name="flory2008" /> |wheelbase = {{convert|126.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> |body_style = 2-door [[hardtop]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><br />2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><br />4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><br />4-door [[hardtop]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> |engine = {{convert|368|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Lincoln Y-block V8 engine#368|Lincoln Y-block]] [[V8 engine|V8]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> |transmission = 3-speed [[Cruise-O-Matic|Turbo-Drive]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> |length = 1956: {{convert|223.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><br />1957: {{convert|224.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> |width =1956: {{convert|79.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1957: {{convert|80.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |height =1956: {{convert|60.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1957: {{convert|60.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|4500|-|4900|lb|kg|abbr=on}} |designer = Bill Schmidt |related = [[Lincoln Capri]]<br />[[Mercury Montclair]] }}
The Premiere was introduced in 1956 as an upscale version of the [[Lincoln Capri]]. It featured a {{convert|368|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Lincoln Y-block V8 engine#368|Lincoln Y-Block]] [[V8 engine|V8]] and it was approximately {{convert|223|in|mm|abbr=on}} long in 1956. The vehicle weighed {{convert|4357|lb|kg}} and had a base price of $4,601 in 1956 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|4601|1956}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). The top-end Lincoln, it was substantially different from the much more expensive and conservatively styled [[Continental Mark II]] sold by Ford's Continental Motorcars division, and was marketed against the [[Cadillac Series 62#Fifth generation (1957–1958)|Cadillac Series 62]], [[Imperial (automobile)#Second generation (1957–1966)|Imperial Crown Coupe]] and [[Packard Patrician]].<ref name="flory2008" /> To emphasize Lincoln's exclusivity and specialized appearance, there were 20 available colors, with 34 two-tone exterior color selections for 1956, increasing to 76 two-tone color choices and only 18 single color selections for 1957.<ref name="flory2008"/> 1956 production totals show a combination of 19,619 Hardtop Coupes, 19,465 4-door Sedans and 2,447 Convertibles were assembled.<ref name="flory2008"/>
The Premiere's appearance reflected the Capri's derivation from the radically different concept cars, the [[Mercury XM-800]] and the [[Lincoln Futura]] in an era of fascination with the [[Space Race]] and [[Mid-century modern]] architecture and [[Monochromatic color|monochromatic appearances]]. It was known for a stylish exterior, high-grade interior and some unique features, such as optional factory installed [[air conditioning]] being run through overhead ducts much like those in an [[aircraft]]. The cool air was directed to the roof via a pair of clear plastic ducts visible through the rear window at each side, connecting upward from the rear package tray. Four way power seats were standard.<ref name="flory2008"/> The front suspension was independent with a stabilizer bar, and for 1957 the driving light was relocated from the bottom edge of the front bumper and installed below the conventional sealed beam, two-way headlight while giving an appearance of having stacked dual headlights which Lincoln called "Quadra-Lite".<ref name="flory2008"/>
<gallery widths="200" heights="150"> File:LincolnPrimereKarlshamn20150717.JPG|1956 Lincoln Premiere Four-Door Sedan File:Lincoln Premiere 1956.jpg|1956 Lincoln Premiere Coupe File:1957 Lincoln Premiere 4 door Hardtop Landau (33112700972).jpg|1957 Lincoln Premiere Landau 4-Door Hardtop File:1957 Lincoln Premiere Interior - Flickr - skinnylawyer.jpg|1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible interior File:PinkPremier.jpg|1956 Lincoln Premier in Amethyst </gallery> {{Clear}}
==1958–1960== {{Infobox automobile |image = File:Continental Quiz (7810905240).jpg |caption = 1960 Lincoln Premiere Four-door Landau |name = Second generation |model_years = 1958–1960 |assembly = [[Wixom Assembly]], [[Wixom, Michigan]], USA<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> |wheelbase = {{convert|131.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/> |body_style = 2-door [[hardtop]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/><br />4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/><br />4-door [[hardtop]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/> |engine = {{convert|430|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Ford MEL engine#430|MEL]] [[V8 engine|V8]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/> |transmission = 3-speed [[Cruise-O-Matic|Turbo-Drive]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/> |length = 1958: {{convert|229.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><br />1959: {{convert|227.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/><ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/><br />1960: {{convert|227.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> |width = 1958–59: {{convert|80.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/><br />1960: {{convert|80.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |height = 1958: {{convert|56.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1959–60: {{convert|56.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/> |weight = {{convert|4900|-|5200|lb|kg|abbr=on}} |designer = [[John Najjar]] |related = [[Lincoln Mark series#Mark III, IV and V (1958–1960)|Continental Mark series]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-06-29|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Lincoln Mark series#Mark III, IV and V (1958–1960)|reason= The anchor (Mark III, IV and V (1958–1960)) [[Special:Diff/821734705|has been deleted]].}}<br />[[Lincoln Capri#1958–1959|Lincoln Capri]] }} These were the first Lincolns produced at the new Wixom plant, and were made on a unibody platform, Lincoln's first since the [[Lincoln-Zephyr]].<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> While advertising brochures made the case that Continental was still a separate make, the car shared its body with that year's Lincoln.<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> The Lincoln Premiere was placed between the [[Lincoln Capri#1958–1959|Lincoln Capri]] and Continental in trim level, with a traditional roof treatment instead of the Continental's extravagant reverse-angle power rear "breezeway" window that retracted behind the back seat <ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> that was also featured on the [[Mercury Turnpike Cruiser]]. Lincoln lost over $60 million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|60000000|1957}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) during 1958–1960, reflecting the enormous expense of developing the largest unibody car produced to date<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNsDAAAAMBAJ |title=Popular Mechanics - Google Boeken |date= January 1959|publisher=Hearst Magazines |accessdate=2011-12-30}}</ref> and poor consumer reception. The 1958 full-size Lincoln sold poorly in all models, compounded by the economic [[Recession of 1958|recession]] in the U.S. and sold only 10,275 with an average retail price of US$5,483 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5483|1958}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref name="flory2008" />
The 1958–60 Lincoln Premiere was truly hulking. One of the largest cars ever made regardless of platform, larger than contemporaneous [[Cadillac Sixty Special#1957–1958|Cadillac Sixty-Specials]] or [[Imperial (automobile)#Second generation (1957–1966)|Imperial Crowns]]. With canted headlights and heavily scalloped fenders its styling was considered excessive even in a decade overcome with it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1958_Lincoln/1958_Lincoln_Brochure/1958%20Lincoln-10-11.html |title=Directory Index: Lincoln/1958_Lincoln/1958_Lincoln_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-20}}</ref> They are the longest Lincolns ever produced without federally mandated [[5 mph bumper|5 mph (8.0 km/h) bumpers]].<ref name="Kowalke 1997"/> <ref name="Flammang 1999">{{cite book|last=Flammang|first=James|title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999|year=1999|publisher=Krause publications|isbn=0-87341-755-0}}</ref> The {{convert|63.1|in|0}}<ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure">{{cite web|url=http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1959_Lincoln/1959_Lincoln_Brochure/dirindex.html |title=1959 Lincoln Brochure |publisher=oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-21}}</ref> front and {{convert|63.0|in|0}}<ref name="1959 Lincoln Brochure"/> rear shoulder room they possessed set a record for Lincoln that still stands to this day. FM radio was a rare option.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1958_Lincoln/1958_Lincoln_Brochure/1958%20Lincoln-12.html |title=Directory Index: Lincoln/1958_Lincoln/1958_Lincoln_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-20}}</ref>
The model's overkill reflected the superabundance of styling talent involved in the development and modification of Lincolns of this vintage.<ref name="Howell 1997">{{cite book|last=Howell|first=James|title=Lincoln 1958-1969|year=1997|publisher=Motorbooks Intl|isbn=0-7603-0059-3}}</ref> [[George W. Walker]], known for his contribution to the development of the original [[Ford Thunderbird#First generation (1955–1957)|Ford Thunderbird]], was vice-president in charge of Styling at Ford during this time.<ref name="Howell 1997"/> [[Elwood Engel]], famous for being lead designer of the 1961 Lincoln Continental and for his work as chief designer at Chrysler in the 1960s, was Staff Stylist (and consequently roamed all of the design studios) at Ford during this period and worked very closely with [[John Najjar]] in developing not only the 1958, but also the 1959 update.<ref name="Howell 1997"/> After Najjar was relieved of his responsibilities as Chief Stylist of Lincoln in 1957 he became Engel's executive assistant, and the two worked closely together in the "stilleto studio" in developing the 1961 Lincoln Continental, which won an award for its superlative styling.<ref name="Howell 1997"/> After Engel left Ford in 1961, Najjar became the lead designer of the [[Ford Mustang I]] concept car, which later gave birth to the [[Ford Mustang]]. Don Delarossa, who succeeded Najjar as Chief Stylist of Lincoln, was responsible for the 1960 Continental and Premiere update, and went on to become chief designer at Chrysler in the 1980s.<ref name="Howell 1997"/> [[Alex Tremulis]], Chief Stylist at Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg in the mid to late 1930s and famous for the [[1948 Tucker Sedan]], was head of Ford's Advanced Styling Studio during this period. It was his Ford La Tosca concept car, with its oval overlaid with an "X" theme, that gave birth to the "slant eyed monster" nickname to the 1958 Lincoln front end.<ref name="Howell 1997"/> Immediately after he rebounded with a contribution<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Jim |date=26 March 2024 |title=Alex Tremulis |url=https://www.hemmings.com/stories/alex-tremulis/ |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=www.hemmings.com}}</ref> to Joe Oros' dramatic "bullet" design for the [[Ford Thunderbird#Third generation (1961–1963)|1961 Thunderbird]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1963-thunderbird-landau-the-american-dream-car/ |title = Curbside Classic: 1963 Thunderbird Landau – The American Dream Car {{!}} Curbside Classic|date = 12 October 2016}}</ref>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> File:1958 Lincoln Premiere (36039295304).jpg|1958 Lincoln Premiere Coupe File:1959 Lincoln Premier 2-door hardtop.JPG|1959 Lincoln Premiere Coupe File:1960 Lincoln Premiere (7811432964).jpg|1960 Lincoln Premiere Four-door Landau </gallery>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:91%;" !1957–1958 Comparison<ref name="PopularMechanics1957">{{cite book | title=Popular Mechanics - Feb 1957 |date = February 1957|publisher = Hearst Magazines| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=cuEDAAAAMBAJ&q=PA296&pg=PA296 | accessdate = 2012-01-21 }}</ref><ref name="PopularMechanics1958">{{cite book | title=Popular Mechanics - Feb 1958 |date = February 1958|publisher = Hearst Magazines| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=49sDAAAAMBAJ&q=PA165&pg=PA165 | accessdate = 2012-01-21}}</ref> !1957 Premiere !1958 Premiere |- |Wheelbase || {{Convert|126.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|131.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Overall Length || {{Convert|224.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|229.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Width|| {{Convert|80.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|80.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Height|| {{Convert|60.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|56.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front Headroom|| {{Convert|35.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|35.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front Legroom|| {{Convert|44.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|44.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front Hip Room|| {{Convert|61.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|61.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front Shoulder Room|| {{Convert|59.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|63.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear Headroom|| {{Convert|34.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|33.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear Legroom–ins.|| {{Convert|42.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|46.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear Hip Room|| {{Convert|63.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|65.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear Shoulder Room|| {{Convert|58.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|63.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |}
== References == {{Reflist}} {{commons category}} {{Lincoln historic timeline}} {{Lincoln Motor Company}}
[[Category:Lincoln vehicles|Premiere]] [[Category:1950s cars]] [[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1955]]