Advertising Last completed movie pages 1959 Lincoln Sedan [53A]Class: Cars, Sedan — Model origin: 
![1959 Lincoln Sedan [53A]](/i008484.jpg)
![[*]](/res/star.png){kind=small}
Minor action vehicle or used in only a short scene
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◊ 2005-03-19 19:07 |
lincoln... |
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◊ 2005-03-20 07:08 |
C'est une Lincoln Premiere de 1959. |
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◊ 2007-03-02 19:37 |
![[Image: godfather2lincoln2lz0.673.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/0is264/godfather2lincoln2lz0.673.jpg) |
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◊ 2010-05-30 00:51 |
Got to be one of the strangest headlight arraignments ever! |
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◊ 2011-03-07 03:14 |
Is this a Premiere or a Capri? I think that Premieres had a small medallion-shaped symbol that was located on the front fender right behind the wheel openings, and this is not seen in the pic here. I think this might be a 59 Lincoln Capri 4-door Sedan. |
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◊ 2011-03-08 15:23 |
Correct, Hunter. Changing this to Capri. |
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◊ 2011-03-08 17:21 |
From perusing the 1959 Lincoln brochure I could find no reference to the "Capri" name. Just listing as "Lincoln". -- Last edit: 2011-03-08 17:36:56 |
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◊ 2011-03-09 07:16 |
Yeah...this is probably just a base-model. I do know, from my 1950's American Car book that 1959 was the last year to offer the Capri model. Starting in 1960, the Capri was done-away-with. So, as for this 59 in "Godfather II", a Capri is possible--but a picture of a 1959 Lincoln Capri 4-door hardtop in my car book has the word "Lincoln" spelled out across the hood...in between the headlights. So, since this Lincoln does not show that either, I think the base model (or just the simple 4-door Sedan) is correct. .gif ":)") |
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◊ 2011-03-09 15:41 |
Actually, it appears the Capri name was done away with for 1959 as there is absolutely no reference to it anywhere in the 1959 Lincoln brochure and photos do not show it on the cars. I think your book (and my NADA book) are just wrong in that regard. Perhaps the Lincoln folks intended to continue the Capri name for '59 but changed their mind at a late date. |
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◊ 2011-03-09 18:41 |
Actually, according to all the info I've researched and looked up...there were Capris in 1959, they were just rare--as it was the last model year for it and they were phasing it out. Because they were phasing it out, and Lincoln was planning to do away with it, they probably did not include it in the 59 brochures. However, I don't know if every single model of every single year of every single car had brochures for them--I think sometimes brochures for just certain models were made, to give you an idea of what the cars were like. But, I've found many photos all over (books and online) of 59 Capris...so I know they existed. The Capri model for Lincoln was first introduced in 1952 and then discontinued after the 1959 model. I don't think the actual name "Capri" was shown on the 59 models (at least not on the outside??). -- Last edit: 2011-03-09 18:45:32 |
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◊ 2011-03-09 19:46 |
In what way was the Capri supposed to differ from the base model so one could tell? (Normally, brochures for a particular line did at least list all the available models unless they were late season introductions.) |
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◊ 2011-03-10 04:17 |
Good question...I've wondered that myself? I think for the most part all Lincolns, besides the Continental, pretty much shared the same body style. Here's what one book I looked in had to say about the 1959 models (except for the Continental): "A 1959 Lincoln Capri 4-door hardtop cost $5090, as did the slower-selling Pillared sedan. Premieres also came in the same body styles"--except we know the Premieres also included the "special" emblem of some kind. Again, the Capri appeared to also have the make-name "Lincoln" spelled out across the front of the hood, wheras the base-model (Pillared Sedan??) did not. Maybe the "Lincon" on the hood (as well as the side fenders) was the Capri's own special identification...as the "fancy" Continental also did not have that on the hood?? By the way...what is a "Capri"? I understand the boldness or definite statements of the words "Continental" and "Premiere"...but what the heck is a Capri? LOL!  The only thing I remembered about the name Capri is it used to be (may still be??) a brand of women's cigarettes.  As for the brochure thing...I don't know?? There may have been a few made for the '59 Capri, but since they were phasing it out there may not have been very many made--therefore it's hard or rare to find one for that model for 1959. But, all of the books and websites that I've looked at do list Continentals, Con. Limos, Town Car Limos, Premieres, Capris, and Pillared Sedans (base-model??) as the models for the 1959 Lincoln.As I'm looking at another pic of a 1959 Lincoln Capri...it also shows the side-design in chrome...wheras the other models (including the Continental) did not--they were just part of the "regular" car, and no chrome. Could that also be another Capri tell-tale sign?? -- Last edit: 2011-03-10 04:24:55 |
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◊ 2011-03-10 15:02 |
Well then you are saying there were 3 separate series of Lincolns for 1959, the "base", the Capri and the Premiere. (The brochures still list the Continental as a separate make until 1960.) I continue to feel in the absence of any indication from Ford Motor Company that there was a "Capri" for 1959, the "aftermarket" books are just wrong and are incorrectly applying the Capri name from 1958 onto the '59 models. As a final bit of evidence, let's look at model numbers: Base Lincoln 4-door sedan.....= 53A Base Lincoln 4-door hdtp.......= 57A Base Lincoln 2-door hdtp.......= 63A Premier Lincoln 4-door sedan = 53B Premier Lincoln 4-door hdtp...= 57B Premier Lincoln 2-door hdtp...= 63B If there was a separate Capri, it would have it's own differentiating set of model numbers but I know of none from any source. -- Last edit: 2011-03-10 15:05:13 |
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◊ 2011-03-10 17:31 |
Page two of the 1959 Lincoln brochure: Link to "www.oldcarbrochures.com" They make it clear there are only 2 series of Lincolns for 1959 - the "Lincoln" and the "Lincoln Premiere". (Again, the Continental was still regarded and listed as a separate make. That changed for 1960, when they started calling it the "Lincoln Continental Mark V".) As far as nameplates go, nearly all the 1959 Lincoln images show the LINCOLN letters across the hood edge. They are just missing on the photo'ed car. The images I found on Google without the letters appeared to be altered-damaged-possibly incorrectly restored examples. All the period images seem to show the letters. -- Last edit: 2011-03-10 17:52:45 |
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◊ 2011-03-10 18:14 |
I have a series of trade check books for cars available in the UK, which gives brief text notes and dates - no pictures. 1950s Lincolns are all lumped together under the heading Eight. Entry for Oct 58, "1959 Series" reads "Headlamps merge into grille; round sidelights in overriders; Capri & Premiere grille has 8 vertical bars intersecting horizontal ones & oval rear light unit; Continental Mk IV mesh grille and sep. oval rear lights." Oct 59 entry for "1960 Series" discusses Lincoln, Premiere and Continental MkV, but does not mention Capri. So 1959my Capri was officially available in UK. |
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◊ 2011-03-10 19:29 |
Well, I don't know about export models, that is a different issue. However, I am pretty convinced that here in the US, Lincoln never released a "1959 Lincoln Capri" based on the evidence I have from FoMoCo literature. |
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◊ 2011-03-11 02:24 |
I just find it hard to believe that all books, websites, and info places are all wrong when including a 1959 Capri. It would be one thing if I only found it in one place, and/or briefly mentioned. That might be considered a mistake or misprint. But every resource being incorrect?? I don't think so. A lot of the books and sites also give technical info and prices as well. They would have had to have researched all of that (probably from Ford Motor Co. especially)--they wouldn't just publish stuff because they thought it probably was there. I realize that Continental liked to think of itself as a seperate car than the Lincoln (until 1960)...but in reality it was a Lincoln, just a "fancier" package. .gif ";)") But, as far as I can tell and/or find there were 1959 Capris. So, I guess we could look at it this way for 1959: There was the "Continenal"...then there was the Lincoln Premiere, the Capri, and then the base-model Sedan. However, some of the info I've found listed the Capri as the base-model, or cheaper model. So, maybe there were only 2 models produced: the Premiere and the Capri (if we still look at the Continental as a seperate car). But, I've found information and pictures all over of 1959 Capris...and not just old advertisement pics either, many were of the cars today that people have collected or had at car shows/auctions. I would think they would know what model they have, and not just guess. Again, there may not be a ton of info or "stuff" out there on '59 Capris because they were on their way out (and there may not have been as many Capris made for that final year)...but from what I can tell and have researched, they were made. 7,929 1959 Lincoln Capris were sold before Ford phased the model out, and did not renew it for 1960--which is somewhat strange since sales were up from the '58 Capri, that only sold 6,589 cars. Okay...an edit. I just found one site that listed the model numbers for the 1959 Capris: The Capri 2-door hardtop was 63A, and the 4-door hardtop was 57A. These numbers match the base-model numbers you listed above, Commander. So, this goes back to my question of: Was the 59 Capri considered the base-model for its last year? -- Last edit: 2011-03-11 02:55:53 |
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◊ 2011-03-11 15:23 |
I guess we could go on and on about this. A parting shot: When a car model is mentioned in the motoring press, where does that information come from? It comes from the car manufacturer, of course. Only the maker can create or terminate a model name, right? If there is NO mention of a Capri ANYWHERE in ANY Lincoln or Ford Motor Co literature or manual, how can we say it exists? There was a 1958 Lincoln Capri - the name was right there on the fender and it was mentioned in the 1958 brochure. NO 1959 Lincoln had the Capri name on it anywhere (just as the 1960's didn't). How can we say there was no 1960 Capri yet say there was a 1959 Capri when Lincoln handled the 2 years identically in all of their published documents and all their produced cars? A final parenthetical note. There IS at least one book that agrees there was no 1959 Capri: the "1946-1960 U.S. Vehicle ID. Manual" which I have used as a reference source for many, many years. I have found it to be highly accurate based on what I know and what I've read about those period cars. It states that 1958 was the last year of the Capri. -- Last edit: 2011-03-11 16:55:32 |
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◊ 2011-03-11 23:14 |
I agree with what you are saying here, Commander (I guess a Stude owner?). Many Lincolns have no model name - hence I leave the space blank. It is important not to use the body style as a model name. I have an argument going here - /vehicle.php?id=378718 - and I will stick to my guns. I have just added the model number to this one - 53A. |
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◊ 2011-03-11 23:28 |
A passing comment - can the Sedan/Capri/Premiere dilemma be solved through which ones had tinted windows (as here)? |
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◊ 2011-03-11 23:37 |
No. I assume that would simply have been an option. |
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◊ 2011-03-12 00:52 |
Like you said...we could go on about this, and it seems to be starting to beat a "dead horse." Again, I can't belive that if there was no 59 Capri...that every single info source can be wrong. I've even found places for ordering parts and windshield glass, if you were wanting to replace/restore a 59 Capri. I also can't belive that "magical" info about model numbers, how many Capris were sold in its last year, paint info, prices, etc...would just pop out of nowhere because someone assumed or thought it probably was there. I think we can end this by (hopefully in a positive way--for me it is ) agreeing to disagree. There's always a chance that either one of us could be right or wrong. I wish I could find someone that was a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer back then, that's still alive. Most would be in their 80's or 90's today.  But, I love old Lincolns and it's been a ton-of-fun discussing them! This'll probably be my last post on this subject. But, I ordered a 1:18 diecast model of my favorite Lincoln the other night--the 1958 Continental Convertible. It's supposed to be one of the most realistic (to the original) models of a Lincoln made. Can't wait to get it...then I'll dream and wish it was real!  -- Last edit: 2011-03-12 01:01:50 |
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◊ 2011-03-12 01:50 |
My copy of The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 refers to the base model Lincolns from 1956 to 1959 as Capris but not the 1960 models (up to then Capri was the top line model). In the 1960 reference to the Premiere, it says "the Premiere looked virtually the same as the standard Lincoln" - no reference to Capri. The 1960 Premiere was about 10% more expensive than the base Lincoln - seems that paid for standard power windows and seats. Of course from 1961 on they were all Continentals. Beginning in 1960 Lincoln used a different serial code system. Up to 1959 the first character denoted the engine (the year was the second character) where from 1960 the first character was the year and the engine code was the fifth character. -- Last edit: 2011-03-12 02:02:59 |
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◊ 2011-03-12 02:01 |
I have looked at some pictures of 1959 Lincolns and, yes Hunter, it is odd that this one is minus its letters on the hood. Must have had a shunt at some time and not had them replaced. |
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◊ 2011-03-12 02:25 |
OK, Hunter. We agree to disagree. Your source is auto publications. Mine is the Lincoln automotive division. They disagree. No matter. I hope your model turns out well. Post a pix of it! |
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◊ 2011-03-12 06:47 |
Yeah, I don't know if all Lincoln models for that time had "Lincoln" spelled out across the hood...or if it was just Premieres or Capris? I know that until 1960 the Continental model liked to consider itself a seperate car, so it did not have Lincoln on it. I think some of the late 50's Lincolns that you see today (car auctions, car shows, private owner's pics, etc...) that do not have "Lincoln" on the hood are probably hoods that have either been replaced (when they were being restored) and the replacement hood did not include the Lincoln letters, or the letters were removed to repaint the hood and then never replaced later. But, since the main pic here (the 59 base-model above) does not include the "Lincoln" letters on the hood...I'm still thinking that was probably included on the Premieres or Capris only, as this movie was made when I don't really think that many were going out of their way to restore or fix up 1950's Lincolns--they were not considered antiques or classics at that time yet. Plus the car does not look fixed up or "brand new-like" either. At the time "Godfather II" was made, that old Lincoln was probably in it's original state. I had this issue when I had part of my front end on my 1996 Camaro Z28 replaced/repainted. The original front end nose-piece (so-to-speak) had the Camaro symbol in the middle...whereas my replacement front piece did not come with it, and was plain. I had the Camaro symbol removed from my original front piece and put on my replacement one. I ended up getting this front end job for FREE!! As one of my friends accidently backed his truck trailer hitch into my font end...poking a good sized hole in it. So, he got to pay for my new front end piece and the piant job! -- Last edit: 2011-03-12 07:59:52 |
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◊ 2011-03-12 06:50 |
Thanks, I will try...if I can remember how to post pics here. I've only done it once and it's been a long time. |
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◊ 2011-03-12 07:07 |
Commander, Ok...we'll see if this works. Here is a link to one side pic of the 58 Lincoln Continental Convt. 1:18 diecast model I ordered off ebay a couple days ago. There were a few colors available but I've always liked Teal/Turquoise, especially for a 50's car. It's on the way...just waiting to receive it! http://diecastmart.com/SunStar/1958ContinentalMK3turq/L-01.jpg Here is some of the options and description info for it: "Features Include-Opening front doors with fully detailed panels. Removable rear fenders, and opening trunk complete with detailed spare wheel and correct patterned matting. Opening hood with fully detailed engine. Photo etched front and rear grills Positional and individually sprung windscreen wipers--that actually operate! Positional and operable sun visors and opening glovebox. The ash try is also functional. Fully detailed cockpit and dashboard. Folding forward individual front seats. Soft material for realistic carpeting (instead of colored plastic like most diecast models), and operational steering. Correct tire tread pattern. Fully detailed chassis, detailed independent front and rear spring suspension, and middle opening boot Made of High Quality Diecast." The ashtray thing "cracks" me up! I guess in the 50's that was an important option as it was considered pretty sexy and cool to light up. The one drawback is I'm not sure the Convt. top is removeable or not?? There were a couple models for sale that were with the top off...but there were only two colors, white and a pinkish-rose color. I don't care for plain white, and I don't want a pink model either. I loved the turquoise and so I got that one. -- Last edit: 2011-03-12 07:30:35 |
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◊ 2011-03-12 16:33 |
Looks nicely detailed for a model. |
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◊ 2011-03-13 00:27 |
I hope so...it'll be cool for display. I know this aspect was brought up before, but I don't remember a definite answer...but was the "Lincoln" letters on the hood for all Lincoln models at the time of the main pic here, or was that just for Premieres or Capris only? nzcarnerd brought this up, a few messages above as well, but when the "Godfather II" movie was made (1974), a 1959 Lincoln was not considered an antique or classic yet...as it was not even 20 years old. The Lincoln also does not look fixed up/restored either--just an older Lincoln. So, I doubt it had had a restoration job at the time as no one would probably be going out of their way to do that on those cars yet. I'm assuming in 1974 when the movie was made, that old Lincoln was probably in its original state. So, I'm assuming a base-model did not include the Lincoln letters on the hood?? |
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◊ 2011-03-13 02:38 |
As I posted above, all the period photos I could find show the hood lettering on all models. While the car in our photo might not be restored, the paint looks in excellent condtion so it might have been repainted, which would have required the removal of the letters. They apparently were just not put back. All the cars in the 1959 Lincoln brochure had hood letters (except for the Continental, of course, which was not considered a Lincoln in 1959.) |
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◊ 2011-03-13 06:32 |
Gotcha...I guess they could have repainted that car, either for the movie or for something else before it. But why would you remove lettering, whether to repaint or restore, and then not put it back when the job was done??  That's like taking an old antique lamp, restoring and rewiring it...but not putting a light bulb back in when done.  It doesn't make sense to me...weird. -- Last edit: 2011-03-13 07:06:30 |
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◊ 2011-03-13 15:54 |
Some people like the smooth look. I personally like restorations original as possible and would have put the letter back on. |
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◊ 2011-03-13 22:20 |
Exactly...I totally agree! I like restorations as original as possible too, and not change or modify them in any way. Either way, they must have done a pretty good job on that old Lincoln as you can't even see old small little holes or places the letters would have been. But, I guess they could have filled those in with something?? |
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◊ 2011-03-13 22:26 |
Body filler. If properly applied, you would never know there had ever been mounting holes. |
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◊ 2011-03-13 23:11 |
I figured it was something like that. Strange. I've never seen the "Godfather" movies...I wonder why they would use an old Lincoln like this (possibly repaint it for the movie), when you'd think they'd of used newer ones at the time--like a 73 or 74?? |
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◊ 2011-03-13 23:13 |
That might be because the film was set in the past. It wasn't set in the present day. |
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◊ 2011-03-14 00:23 |
Gotcha...like I said I have never seen the movies before. That makes sense, if they take place earlier than the year it was made. Thanks for clarifying that for me, Sandie! |
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◊ 2011-03-19 22:58 |
Going back to the post I left earlier (7:07), the diecast model of the 1958 Lincoln Continental I got is awesome!!  It is the most detailed and accurate diecast model I've ever gotten before! It even comes with a special reprint of (I assume) the original 1958 Continental and Lincoln brochure booklet...giving all the specifics and options available on 1958 Continentals and Lincolns...pics of each model too (Continental, Premiere, and Capri)! I sooo wish I had money to buy and/or restore a 58 Continental Convertible! |
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◊ 2011-03-20 00:59 |
Sounds like you made a good score there, Hunter! |
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◊ 2011-03-21 02:20 |
I think so! As for Lincolns....what are the differences between a 1958 and a 1959 model? They look so similar or "alike" in pics that it's hard for me to tell. Take the main pic here of the 59 base-model...if asked I would have said either 58 or 59, but I wouldn't know for sure. Were the grills different or something...interior differences at all? Just wondering. |
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◊ 2011-03-21 17:15 |
Here's a link to the Brochure site: Link to "www.oldcarbrochures.com" It's worth a look and can answer many questions. |
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◊ 2011-03-24 05:53 |
Cool! The link you provided is to pictures of the exact brochure I got with my 58 Lincoln model! With the model you get a copy of the original full brochure for all 1958 Lincolns. |
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◊ 2015-07-25 19:59 |
I got a book about Ford's history and i found that car. It said that is a 1959 Lincoln premier Landaul foud-doors hardtop. Link to "www.google.ca" |
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◊ 2015-07-26 04:11 |
joemamma, You need to read the comments already posted; Commander_57 and HunterMan have already correctly defined this Lincoln. |
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◊ 2023-09-13 15:38 |
Somebody on the page for the 1957 Cadillac said this was his 1959 Lincoln Capri Landau |
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