As I was pouring my first cup of java this morning, I heard an ad on the radio for a President's Day Sale and was reminded of a report I did when I was in the 9th grade on Abraham Lincoln.
The title of my report was, "CHARACTER. Others Claimed It, LINCOLN Delivered it". The research I'd done for the report talked about the strong character Lincoln had. He had his critics and detractors, but he was a man of conviction and honesty. History credits him as being one of our most respected leaders.
Taking another sip of coffee, my mind floated from Lincoln the President to Lincoln the Car. I remember with fondness my two favorite years for Ford's top of the line automobile, the '56 and '57 LINCOLN. The '56's were completely NEW and made their debut several weeks earlier than had been the case in recent years, it was unveiled in early September 1955. They were extremely attractive and caught the buying public's attention with their long low look which won for them the Industrial Designers Institute Award for excellence in automobile design.
The new models were referred to as PREMIERE for the more expensive line, and the CAPRI which became the less costly line. Prices ranged from $4,119 for a Capri Hardtop Coupe to $4,747 for the Premiere Convertible.
The '57 Lincoln offered a noticeable change even with a body style very much the same as it had been in '56. Lincoln had joined the Fins race and showed two of the tallest going skyward.
The lowest priced Lincoln for '57 was the Capri 2-door Hardtop, selling for $4,649. The 4-door models were available, one with a center post, the other a pillarless model, the Landau Hardtop. Oddly enough, both sold for the same price of $4,794. The most expensive Lincoln for '57 was the Premiere Convertible costing $5,381.
To my eyes these two years of Lincoln automobiles oozed with the "Character that other cars claimed, but Lincoln Delivered it".
Have a great weekend everyone. See you Monday morning!
Recently finished watching The History Channel presentation of Abraham Lincoln which I thought excellent. The Grant presentation was equally worth seeing.
Recently finished watching The History Channel presentation of Abraham Lincoln which I thought excellent. The Grant presentation was equally worth seeing.
I've always been enamored with presidential history. Some interesting characters to say the least that have led our country. I think it's safe to say that none have been perfect, some better than others, and certainly some that have been a blemish to the office.
Back in the late 50s, my neighbor had a black '56 Premiere 2-dr Hardtop, just like the DM repaint. My good buddy Steve and I would wash and wax this Lincoln from time to time. We charged $10, but I would have done it for nothing. Loved that car. To me, the fit, finish and the engine sound were quite similar to my dad's '56 Ford Fairlane. As beautiful as the Lincoln was, I always felt overall it's just a big Ford.
Back in the late 50s, my neighbor had a black '56 Premiere 2-dr Hardtop, just like the DM repaint. My good buddy Steve and I would wash and wax this Lincoln from time to time. We charged $10, but I would have done it for nothing. Loved that car. To me, the fit, finish and the engine sound were quite similar to my dad's '56 Ford Fairlane. As beautiful as the Lincoln was, I always felt overall it just a big Ford.
To my eyes, the two most perfectly styled cars of the fifties decade were the '56 Lincoln and the '56 Cadillac. No two cars exemplified royalty and success more. The styling of both cars just embodied the word beauty.
George I agree. Because the Lincoln was a brand-new design it took my breath away. I have models of the Premier hardtop and convertible in 1/43, 1/24 and 1/18 scales with the absolutely best by DM in 1/24.
I agree that the '56 Lincoln was a gorgeous car but IMHO they ruined it in '57 by adding those oddball fins. To my eye they just looked tacked on. I think Ford could have done a less aggressive fin addition that looked more in keeping with the sculptured lines of the '56.
George I agree. Because the Lincoln was a brand-new design it took my breath away. I have models of the Premier hardtop and convertible in 1/43, 1/24 and 1/18 scales with the absolutely best by DM in 1/24.
Bob, I too, have those Danbury Mint '56 Lincoln's. They are breathtakingly beautiful.
Though DM gave us the '54 Cadillac, which was very close to the '56, I'd always hoped for the '56 would be produced by them. With Cadillac, I think General Motors hit greatness with the '54, improved on it in '55, and then hit the pinnacle of royalty in style and beauty in '56.
