BF Auction: 1957 Lincoln Premiere Landau
- Seller: Gary L
- Location: Stephenville, Texas
- Mileage: 0 Shown
- Chassis #: 57WA25330l
- Title Status: Salvage
- Engine: 368 cui V8
- Transmission: Automatic
Project candidates come in all shapes and sizes, and an enthusiast searching for a likely prospect to park in their workshop can typically find something appropriate if they are willing to search long and hard. If luxury is high on your list of priorities, this 1957 Lincoln Premiere Landau deserves a close look. It needs plenty of work, but the foundations are there to create something genuinely eye-catching. It is a case of “what you see is what you get,” but even if you view it purely as a parts source, it has much to offer. The seller is ready to send the Lincoln to a new home, listing the Premiere with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Lincoln released the Premiere in 1956, positioning it below the ultra-expensive Continental Mark II, but above the Capri. The company offered four variants, with our feature car, a 1957 four-door Landau Hardtop that the first owner ordered in a pale pink shade called Flamingo, teamed with Starmist White. It looks tired and weather-beaten but is a case of not judging a book by its cover. The panels have a few minor bumps and bruises, but this classic seems to lack significant penetrating rust. There is surface corrosion in various locations and visible issues in the lower rear quarter panels and front fenders. However, the floors appear pretty solid. If there are problems, they might be candidates for patches rather than wholesale steel replacement. If restoration is their goal, the winning bidder will undoubtedly follow a nut-and-bolt approach before dispatching the car to the media blaster. Still, it appears the grinder and welder might not work overtime in this case. Some trim pieces are missing, and others require a trip to the platers. Many light lenses are cracked or damaged, but the glass looks surprisingly good.
The ’57 Lincoln Premiere Landau tips the scales at 4,740 lbs, and with such a high curb weight, it needed something special under the hood if progress was to be better than glacial. Luxury car marques from this era typically delivered, and Lincoln was no exception. Lifting the hood reveals the company’s 368ci Y-Block V8 that produced 300hp and an impressive 415 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties, while the Premiere cements its luxury credentials courtesy of power-assisted steering and brakes. Outright acceleration was rarely the aim of the exercise for buyers ordering these classics, with respectable progress and isolation from the outside world the main priorities. This Lincoln would have delivered both in its glory days, and there is no reason why it couldn’t once again. It doesn’t run but is mechanically complete. These engines are notoriously robust, so revival may be relatively straightforward. Even if a rebuild is warranted, Lincoln’s Y-Block is no different from those utilized in more pedestrian Fords, meaning they hold no nasty surprises or cost any more to refresh.
The first owner teamed the Pink and White exterior color combination with an interior trimmed in Pink and Black. It would have looked stunning in its heyday, an impression reinforced by the long list of creature comforts. The first owner equipped this classic with rear air conditioning, power windows, a power front seat, the Autronic eye, and a Town & Country radio. America was deeply immersed in all things aeronautic during this era, and many design cues previously found in fighter jets began appearing in production cars. Some of the dash controls for items like the heater are typical of the era, while there was also plenty of bright trim and “bling” to make every journey feel special. This Lincoln’s interior is complete but requires a retrim. Locating kits to achieve a factory-fresh state may prove elusive, although items like carpet sets and headliners are readily available. The correct materials are available “off the roll,” allowing an experienced upholsterer to perform a faithful restoration. That process will cost, but the results would justify the expense.
Lincoln enjoyed a respectable sales year in 1957, with 35,223 buyers taking home a Premiere. However, only 11,223 of those chose the Landau, making this a relatively rare beast. It is unclear how many survive, but it is a sure bet that most made their final trip to the scrapyard many years ago. Whether you view this 1957 Landau as a project candidate or a parts source, it has much to offer its new owner. I hope someone takes the bull by the horns and returns it to its former glory. I believe doing so would be worthwhile. Are you up for the challenge?
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Comments
Uggh…take the towels off the seats? About a dozen pics with the towels on, none removed. Do they think we can’t handle what is under there?
While the towels probably are indeed to hide some damage, they may have been put on by the owner long ago as a budget seat cover, and it just didn’t occur to take them off. While the little bit of seat I can see doesn’t look 𝘵𝘰𝘰 awful, the chance is certainly high that they hide unspeakable horrors. It’s hard to tell.
Gonna take a lotta l$ve to bring this old girl back around. Good luck on the auction.
This was the year they tacked on fiberglass rear fenders to make the 56 Premier appear to have fins. Gotta love a four-door hardtop. That said, the generation that drooled over these cars has now settled into their sunset years. I’d bet there is a VERY SMALL audience of individuals wanting to tackle a restoration on this behemoth. Good luck to the seller.
Thats not true. Check your statement. That was Studabaker not Lincoln
The 1/4 panels are all steel, no fiberglass on these beasts.
Hmm. I heard the caps were removable and simply attached to the tops of steel 1956 fenders. Here is a short description. https://www.indieauto.org/2024/07/26/if-you-think-the-1957-lincoln-looks-bad-picture-the-tailfins-seven-inches-taller/
Soon to become one of those pre-dented ,overbuilt outlaw demo derby cars…
These were such magnificent and beautiful cars in there day. So very sad to see this car in this condition. If I was younger I would love to restore it and drive it and just enjoy it. Sadly though at my age my condition is about the same as this car. GLWTA
I believe the color is Wisteria? Unfortunately this Lincoln is far from PREMIERE condition. But definitely worth the time, money and effort. Too much for me, 😔 SOMEONE PLEASE save this MONUMENT to an era unfortunately never to be seen again.
This would have to find its way into the hands of a celebrity restorer with a large team of dedicated craftsmen and of course, hefty bank account. There isn’t a single square inch that does not need work.
Was that rear bumper ever home to a continental spare? Longest extension I’ve ever seen.
Good catch Mike. Looks like this Premiere once had Continental touch!
No continental kit, that’s just how they were.
After a second look, the length of the bumper looks like it was meant to protect the taillights and fins.
1 (if not only) Lincoln gens I dont follow. Here’s hopin some1 will bring it back.
Make it into a restomod with a super charged 428 cobra jet. Lots of money and work but that’s one way to save it.
The 57 was a great year for Lincoln. I ended up with a Premiere convertible with a continental kit and that car was loooonnnng. This car did not have the kit on the back. The bumper was just pretty wide. The engine was super strong and I never had any trouble with it as my many traffic tickets can attest. I had the same color with a black top and black and white seats that I didn’t like because they got too hot in the Florida sun. If you can get this car for a good price you would still have a worthy car after restoration. I don’t know why everybody always says that restoration is expensive. Parths for this car are plentiful and body parts and trim are still available at reasonable prices. This is an excellent project for anyone who may be young enough to keep it for a decade or two. Check the prices of the cars that are on the market today. Its worth the restoration.
Ghastly.
Yes, my first thought was those bumpers are bigger than the 1976 cars, but they look better. They look like they belong. Cars after 1972 looked like huge bumpers were just hung on the car, not designed or integrated into the car. So sad.
This land yacht I can afford, just no place to put it and I’m saving to move, so…….
ANGEL! This poor Lincoln looks like someone resisted one of Uncle Vitos 🏰 offers! 🔫 . BTW, did he offer me honorary Italiano status? After all, I did say I would kiss the 💍, maybe that isn’t enough 🤔. But I hope he might help you move! As noted on the 62 Cadillac convert, you are one spicy PIZZA Italiana. Yes ,I’m still a twisted Rolls Canardly from Transylvania! 🏰 💋. Happy Halloween 🎃 🤪 🧙♂️.Got to fly now. Broughamstick is waiting!😅 🤣. 😲 😲 😮
Very twisted, Rick.
Uncle Vito said there’s no such thing as “honorary Italian. ” But you could kiss his…….
I’ll leave that up to your imagination.
Later bumpers had to have shocks built into them to absorb a 5MPH bump. That’s why they looked just tacked on. This 57 bumper was gigantic and was designed to look that way When you added a Continental kit onto it you had a shelf to stand on next to the spare tire or a nice big seat to stop and enjoy a cool one anywhere you wanted. This car is right at twenty feet long. I measured mine just to see how long it was. Today this car is a show stopper anywhere it is displayed. people would look and point and watch you go by anywhere the car went.And that was 55 years ago.
Hi Angel! So this is the other side of
land yachting. GM may have had the
market sewed up with Cadillac but Ford was still still swinging. My Uncle had a black one just like this one. It
looked like a cross between a Mafia staff car and the Batmobile. Touchiest jpower brakes I ever saw.
My Mom borrowed it from my Uncle
so that we can go to church one Sunday morning. Well, some jerk in a
’56 Buick cut her off so Mom hit the
brakes and locked ’em up to avoid the
Buick. But in so doing, put an 89 year
old woman into the windshield. The lady was wasn’t hurt that badly but the whole thing traumatized my Mom and she never drove the car again. In
fact, one of the other partitioners had to drive the car back to my uncle’s house and tell him what happened. . Not long after that, she bought a ’50
Chrysler New Yorker sedan that served us well. After that, Mom would not drive another Lincoln product til the day she died. She
wouldn’t even drive my ’59 Premier
4-door hardtop. On another note, I
sold the portrait of the Mini Cooper for $150. Not bad for a fat old blind man. I have the ’18 Silverado that I got stiffed on not long ago. Time to go to work. Waiting on a delivery.
The rear bumper provides a place for two people, one on each side, to sit and smoke a cigarette and sip a Schlitzs beer (in the can). Sip only cause if ya try to chug it you’d tip your head back and stab yourself on the fin.
Now Bobdog, that’s a brand of beer I
haven’t seen in years! Didn’t like the taste all that much. It was a lot like Fallstaff– a cheap drunk when you were short of money to buy something better. As for those bumpers, they may have been designed to readily accept a Connie
kit if you ordered one. My uncle’s car
had factory air as it had the plastic tubes in the back window coming up through the package tray.. To a little kid of maybe 6 or 7, that car looked
huge and impressive.
Just flying in on my Broughamstick to say I’m not from Milwaukee, but surely you know It’s BLATZ beer wherever you go! 😉 🤣. Yes I do enjoy being Witchy (read between those lines). 🎃 🧙♀️ 🎃! No tricks! Wishing you all good treats! 👍
Hey Kenneth, thats great that you sold the Mini Cooper painting. Maybe one of these days i’lI get to see your framed talents..
My 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood had factory air and had those clear plastic tubes coming out of the package tray up into the roof. There were small chrome vents above each door for the a/c to disburse..
I like that idea better than only coming out of the dash. I also like the idea of the a/c in the trunk. Those outside vents were always a dead giveaway that the car had a/c
I’m from. Milwaukee and I oughta know. That Blatz is the best beer wherever you go. Yeah Rick, I’m a
Midwest boy and I heard that jingle
a lot as a kid. In fact, they used to
sponsor the weather reports on WMBD out of Peoria Illinois. I can
still see John Day doing the weather
with his glass weather map with their
Blatz beer sign in the upper left hand
corner. Been almost 60 years since
I heard than jingle and it was right before the Jackie Gleason Show. How sweet it was!
A little traveling music, Maestro PLEASE! Crazy Gugenheim (Frank Fontaine) singing after too many BLATZ beers 🍻..Memories light the corners of what’s LEFT of my mind! 🤪 😜. WBBM in Chicago just unveiled a new high tech weather studio that makes me dizzy. Happy Empty Sausage Day (Hollow Weenie). 😅 👍 🎃 🎃
@Kenneth
The only jingle I remember is the Rhingold jingle .
That’s alright dear. And yes, I do have
a pattern for a ’56 Fleetwood 60 special sedan in one of my automotive coloring books that you can get on Amazon. I took photos of
it when I made one last year. It’s still
in my phone or tablet waiting to be used again. I also have the life size
version of the Solid Gold Cadillac that
Avon used to model their car decanters for their Wild Country after shave in the early 70s. I also got to see and ride in the actual car at the
first ever Street Rod Nationals in Peoria Illinois in 1970. They used a
’39 Town Car body that they rebuilt
from an empty shell. It had the latest
and greatest Cadillac engineering (1970). with all the vintage style of a
1930s motor car. Avon went all out
when they designed and used it for
the promotion I mentioned. Once I get either your email or my Messenger
working, I’ll be able to show you some
of the stuff I’ve made over the last two years. And yes, that Caddy is
among the prints I still have. Well Angel, it’s time for me to go home and
take a nap, a shower, and schlep over
to my McDonald’s to work later on today. Still thinking of us holding hands while watching an old movie
and picking out all those great old cars. Don’t hurt to dream about it.
I wonder how easy it would be to put that 368 Y block and trans into a 56 Ford Sunliner?
I can positively tell you that the rear fins on the 57 Lincoln WERE NOT removable nor were they ‘tacked on’ to a 56 Premiere.The Studebaker DID have fiberglass fins tacked on and it looked like a Hoover ready to take off. What a mess those last few years of Studebaker’s were. The ugliest cars ever to be mass produced in this country, ever..I didn’t like them back then and I don’t like them now. So there!
A friends family had bought an identical Lincoln brand new. Identical in every way! He came of driving age around 1974 but it was his gorgeous sisters who usually drove while my friend rode in the back seat like the Sultan of Fins. I believe they still have the car.
My uncle (who should have known better at age 59) bought a car exactly like this in 1957. I couldn’t “see” having a pink car — but, oh well — the combination of pink and black was popular then (yeech!). Hope someone restores it. I certainly remember Schlitz beer: why: isn’t it still around? And I remember (was it Offenbach’s “Espania”?) being used for
My beer is Rheingold, the dry beer
Think of Rheingold whenever you buy beer
It’s not bitter not sweet
It’s [can’t recall the words!]…treat
Won’t you buy, won’t you try Rheingold Beer!
Right up there with Northwest Orient Airlines and Castro Convertibles conquering living space with fine design. How about anyone from Cincinnati with, Berger, the light, light, LIGHT beer? Or, “NEXT in line on Channel Nine”. And WMBD sounds an awful lot like 1470 to me, in Peoria. And WBBM is 780 in Chicago. Greetings to all, regardless where from. A couple of mornings ago, despite the fact that I live in northeastern New York State, and a WKBK Keene, New Hampshire Station is usually what I hear on 1290 during the day; I had WHIO from Toledo, Ohio blasting in here on 1290! Go figure. I also was getting, loud-and-clear, WOWO-1190 from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Anyone remember Don Chevilet? Keep cheerful, Friends!