The 1956 Lincoln was longer, lower, totally redesigned, stunningly styled, and thoroughly modern, packing an upgraded overhead-valve V-8, producing 285 horsepower and mated to a standard three-speed Turbo Drive automatic transmission. All of this came at significantly higher prices, which thrilled Lincoln devotees were willing to pay. Sales for 1956 reached record levels, rising from 23,673 cars in 1955 to 47,531 in 1956. Rarest and most expensive of all models was the Premiere Convertible, of which 2,447 were built.

Don Davis’ Premiere Convertible is finished in Wisteria, which looks like something off George Barris’ palette, but it is actually one of the numerous unusual factory colors offered on these cars. On the baroque lines of the 1956 Lincoln, alongside slabs of chrome and with a complementary white interior, it appears right at home, as if made to reflect the glow of neon.

The Premiere was painstakingly restored in prior ownership of nearly 30 years to truly “better than new” condition in all respects, with work completed in 2010. As part of the painstaking work, the original engine was replaced with a “New Old Stock” 1956 Lincoln V-8, photos of which are on file, which came out of the Ford Technical School when it closed, and as such, it is literally “new,” with all correct finishes and details. Correct decals and tags are found throughout. The white vinyl top fits so closely and smoothly that the car appears at first glance to be a hardtop coupe. In sum, all finishes throughout are absolutely spectacular, done to extraordinarily fine standards but with great attention to accuracy and “how the factory did it.” If there ever was a concours-level 1956 Lincoln, it is Don Davis’ example, which may well be the best in existence. It would be among the highlights of any collection, 1950s convertibles, Lincolns, or otherwise. It simply cannot be ignored.