1957 Lincoln Premiere
Car generously donated to the Museum by Audrain member Stephen Seiter.
What could be more iconic from the late 50s than a flashy Flamingo Pink Lincoln?
This is the longest car on display, beat only by the Ford Edsel because of its optional Continental kit with an extended rear bumper.
The Premiere was introduced in 1956 a notch above the Lincoln Capri and was significantly different from the more expensive Ford Continental Mark II. Despite being only the second year for the newly designed model, the Lincoln Premiere was extensively updated for 1957 to remain competitive with competition from Cadillac and Imperial, both of which had an all-new product. Lincoln's exclusivity offered 76 two-tone color choices and 18 single color selections for 1957. Designer Bill Schmidt's styling changes were most extensive at the rear of the vehicle and included higher fins and flared quarter panels, tail lamps, bumper, and lower back panel applique. Up front were a new grille, a revised bumper, and a newly legal four-headlight “Quadra-Lite” arrangement.
Engine improvements included a higher compression ratio, with horsepower increased by 15 to 300. A new Carter four-barrel carburetor was employed, and a centrifugal vacuum-advance distributor, throw-away spin-on oil filter, harder camshaft, self-locking tappet adjustment screws, revised exhaust manifolds, and a Paper-Pak air cleaner were among other advances. The Turbo-Drive automatic transmission was now water-cooled rather than air-cooled, and a smaller torque converter was adopted.
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". Power vent windows, electric door locks, and four-way power seats were standard and six-way optional. All this created a very comfortable driving car for out on the town or cruising the Interstate highways.
Specifications:
Engine: 368 cu in Lincoln Y-Block V-8, Carter 4-barrel
Transmission: 3-speed Turbo-Drive automatic
Power: 300 hp
Torque: 415 ft-lb, 563 Nm
Length: 224.6”
Width: 80.3”
Height: 60.0"
Wheelbase: 126.0"
Speed: 0-60 mph in 8.6 sec, quarter-mile 16.9 sec
Fuel Economy: 8.6 mpg
Weight: 4630 lbs