Lincoln Premiere First generation

Model years	1956 to 1957
Assembly	USA
Body style	2-door hardtop, convertible  4-door sedan, hardtop
Engine	368 cu in (6.0 L) Lincoln Y-block V8
Transmission	3-speed Turbo-Drive automatic
Wheelbase	126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Length	1956: 223.0 in (5,664 mm) 1957: 224.6 in (5,705 mm)
Width	1956: 79.9 in (2,029 mm) 1957: 80.3 in (2,040 mm)
Height	1956: 60.0 in (1,524 mm) 1957: 60.2 in (1,529 mm)
Curb weight	4,500–4,900 lb (2,000–2,200 kg)

The Lincoln Premiere was a luxury car that was manufactured by Lincoln in the model years 1956-1960 .

As a starting point for the redesign of the Lincoln vehicles for the year 1956, two concept vehicles. The Mercury 800 and the Lincoln Futura . Both were from Ford's chief designer John Najjar.

The Mercury XM-800 was first shown at the 1954 Chicago Motor Show. In addition to the pioneering design, which influenced generations of automobiles of the Ford Motor Company, the non-functioning car was also constructively interesting, but his body was made of plastic.

Similar to the XM-800, the Lincoln Futura was a pure exhibit that worked, but was never allowed on the road. Bill Schmidt worked with Najjar on at Ghia in Italy handmade metallic white Cabriolet. Equipped with a V8 engine and mounted on a Continental Mark II chassis, the concept car was not only used as a showcar at fairs in 1955, but also had appearances in films.

1956

This year, the premiere replaced the Capri as a top model. The cars had been thoroughly revised. The tailfin models now had a front leaning forward, the headlights had received side chrome trim had received a Z-shaped insert at the level of the rear doors. The bodies - a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop coupe and a two-door convertible - had increased by about 75 mm in length compared to the previous model.

Like its sister models, the premiere had a top -mounted V8 engine with 6030 cc displacement, which developed 285 bhp (210 kW) at 4600 rpm. The engine power was transmitted via a three-stage automatic transmission to the rear wheels.

1957 

There are two series : Premiere and Capri each comprising 4-door sedans, 2 and 4-door hardtops and there is a convertible Premiere.

Extensive styling changes include provision for four head lamps, and side lights which Illuminate almost the whole width of the front bumper. Rear fins
are higher and sharper. There is no change in the size of the engine, which is a V-8 of 6,031 c.c., but compression is raised to 10 to 1, combustion chamber and manifolds have been improved, and power is raised to 300 b.h.p. at 4,800 r.p.m., with maximum torque of 415 lb. ft. at 3,000 r.p.m. The four-choke carburetter is redesigned for easier starting and prevention of vapour lock, and there is a new bayonet-fitting throw-away oil filter. Transmission is through a smaller all-steel torque converter with front-mounted oil radiator, and a limited-slip differential is optional.

Adjustable dampers, remote control exterior mirror, electric door locks, safety belts and pedal-controlled radio are optional.

The bodies got a significant revision. Below the main headlights, two additional headlights were used. The tail fins were dramatically increased so that the taillights were inclined at an angle of 30 ° to the rear. The side chrome strips ran straight again, but had integrated a V in the area of ​​the rear fender ends. Front and rear windows were designed as panoramic windows. In addition to the three body styles of the previous year was a four-door hardtop sedan. Electrically adjustable seats, electric windows, power steering and brake booster were standard equipment from this year.