Chasing the Aristocrat

From Dearborn, Mich, last week sounded the opening horn of the 1956 auto season. Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln Division parted the curtains on two new models called the Premiere and Capri. In both looks and engineering, they represent a thorough redesign of previous Lincolns. They also represent the beginning of an ambitious campaign. Starting with these two models. Lincoln hopes gradually to edge General Motors' Cadillac from its position as the aristocrat of U.S. cars.

The new Lincolns are longer, lower and wider than the 1955 models, bear a family resemblance to this year's Mercury Montclair. The engine is the most powerful Lincoln has ever built, and one of the most powerful ever put in a U.S. family car (285 h.p. v. 225 in the 1955 Lincoln, 270 in the Cadillac Eldorado. 275 in the Packard Caribbean, and 300 in Chrysler's limited production "300"). Both Premiere and Capri have automatic transmission and power steering as standard equipment; the Premiere adds power window controls and a device that moves the driver's seat in any of four directions. Optional: power brakes, an air-conditioning unit.

Lincoln points with particular pride to the cars' safety features. The "deep-dish" steering wheel and its spokes--all flexible --are shaped like a bowl, with the end of the steering post set deep inside. In a crash, the driver would hit the flexible rim instead of the rigid post. Other safety items: door latches designed so as not to spring open on impact, a glareless instrument panel, seat belts (optional), a shatter-resistant rear-view mirror.

Lincoln is well aware that it will take many years to catch up with the Cadillac. Some 74,000 Cadillacs were registered in the first half of 1955 v. only 16,000 Lincolns. But Ford is ready to roll. Says Ben D. Mills, Ford vice president and Lincoln's general manager: "We don't intend to be in second place."

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