• Offered from the Petersen Automotive Vault Collection
• Owned by actress Jayne Mansfield
• Bermuda Coral over Tuxedo vinyl interior
• 368-cu. in. V-8 and Turbo-Drive automatic transmission
• Equipped with power seat, windows, steering, and brakes

Despite being only the second year for the newly designed model, the Lincoln Premiere was extensively updated for 1957 in order to remain competitive with competition from Cadillac and Imperial, both of which had all-new product. The Premiere Convertible remained at the top of the order and Lincoln’s most expensive car, at $5,381. Prices jumped a whopping $781 from 1956, which paralleled that of its competitors. 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 was 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. Power vent windows, electric door locks, and a six-way power seat were added to the options list for the first time.

Now offered from the Vault of the Petersen Automotive Museum, this attractive 1957 Premiere Hardtop Coupe is finished in Bermuda Coral over a well-equipped tuxedo vinyl interior. It was completed at Lincoln’s Wayne, Michigan plant on 2 November 1956. An accompanying copy of a Lincoln Owner ID card attests that American actress and model Jayne Mansfield acquired this chassis on 24 November, 1957. Reportedly one of three cars gifted to Mansfield by 20th Century Studios (Fox), it is desirably fitted with a radio, clock, and other available power options. The air conditioning unit is an aftermarket piece reportedly installed early in the car’s life during Mansfield's ownership. A period-style set of wide whitewall tires and factory wheel covers are mounted at each corner, while an accompanying spare is fitted in the trunk.

Prior to acquisition by the Petersen in December 2000, this unique Premiere was held by a California collector for over ten years, having purchased the car from an inventory auction at the Cars of Stars Museum in Buena Park, California.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az21.