1956 Lincoln Premiere Convertible
Lincoln’s complete restyle for 1956 arrived as the only full redesign among the major U.S. manufacturers that year (aside from Rambler), and it increased the marque’s sales substantially over 1955.
Influenced in part by the Futura show car, the new body added approximately 7 inches in length and about 3 inches in width, with sharp angular lines replacing the rounded forms of the previous generation.
The wraparound windshield, among the largest in the industry at the time, was a first for Lincoln and brought the brand in line with styling trends other manufacturers had already adopted. The car rode on a 126-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of roughly 220 inches.
The Premiere occupied the top of the Lincoln line and made itself known through eight-pointed star medallions placed across the exterior, along with gold Premiere nameplates.
The company described the car as “the longest, lowest, most powerful, most wanted Lincoln of all time” and ran advertising aimed at broadening its audience, including copy claiming women found it easier to drive than a small car.
Cadillac remained well out of reach in sales volume, but Lincoln’s approach was clearly working in relative terms. The Premiere convertible’s curb weight was approximately 4,800 lbs.
Underpinning the restyled body was a new chassis with full box-section side rails. The 368 CI True-Power V-8 produced 285 horsepower (SAE gross) with dual exhausts. The Premiere convertible, the most open and expressive body style in the lineup, stood as the flagship expression of Lincoln’s mid-decade ambitions.
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