Lincoln Premiere

Lincoln Premiere
1957 Lincoln Premiere Coupe 2-Door Hardtop
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln (Ford)
Production	1955–1960
Body and chassis
Class	full-size luxury car
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln Capri
Successor	Lincoln Continental (1960)

First generation
1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible
Overview
Model years	1956–1957
Assembly	Mahwah, New Jersey, United States Maywood, California, United States Dearborn, Michigan, United States Wayne, Michigan United States St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Designer	Bill Schmidt
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop
Related	Lincoln Capri Mercury Montclair
Powertrain
Engine	368 cu in (6.0 L) Lincoln Y-block V8
Transmission	3-speed Turbo-Drive automatic
Dimensions
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)

Second generation
1959 Lincoln Premiere Coupe
Overview
Model years	1958–1960
Assembly	Wixom Assembly, Wixom, Michigan, USA
Designer	John Najjar
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop
Related	Continental Mark series Lincoln Capri
Powertrain
Engine	430 cu in (7.0 L) MEL V8
Transmission	3-speed Turbo-Drive automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	131.0 in (3,327 mm)
Length	1958: 229.0 in (5,817 mm) 1959: 227.1 in (5,768 mm) 1960: 227.2 in (5,771 mm)
Width	1958–59: 80.1 in (2,035 mm) 1960: 80.3 in (2,040 mm)
Height	1958: 56.5 in (1,435 mm) 1959–60: 56.7 in (1,440 mm)
Curb weight	4,900–5,200 lb (2,200–2,400 kg)

The Lincoln Premiere is a luxury car sold by Lincoln in the 1956 to 1960 model years. Positioned below the company's Continental Mark II during 1956–1957 and above the Capri it was based on from 1956–1959, it was produced in 2 and 4 door versions which could both accommodate up to six people. The Premiere sedan was the mid-level sedan under the Mark III-V sedans, until it was replaced with the 1961 Continental sedan.

The Premiere name is currently used as a trim level on Lincoln models.

The Premiere was introduced in 1956 as an upscale version of the Lincoln Capri. It featured a 368 cu in (6.0 L) Lincoln Y-Block V8 and it was approximately 223" (5664 mm) long in 1956. The vehicle weighed 4357 lb (1976.3 kg) and had a base price of $4,601 in 1956, which converts to roughly $40,530 in current dollars. The top-end Lincoln, it was substantially different from the much more expensive Continental Mark II sold by Ford's Continental Motorcars division.

The Premiere's appearance reflected the Capri's derivation from the radically different concept cars, the Mercury XM-800 and the Lincoln Futura. It was known for a stylish exterior, high-grade interior and some unique features, such as optional "factory 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. Front suspension was independent with a stabilizer bar.

These were the first Lincolns produced at the new Wixom plant, and were made on a unibody platform much like the Lincoln-Zephyr and the original Lincoln Continental. While advertising brochures made the case that Continental was still a separate make, the car shared its body with that year's Lincoln. The Lincoln Premiere was one trim level above the Lincoln Capri, but was one trim level package below the Continental, and differed from the higher-model Continentals in standard equipment offered and in their roof treatment, with the Continentals featuring a reverse-angle power rear "breezeway" window that retracted down behind the back seat. Lincoln lost over $60 million during 1958-1960, partly reflecting the expense of developing perhaps the largest unibody car ever made. The 1958 full-size Lincoln sold poorly in all models because of the economic recession in the U.S.