Prior to a road trip from my home in NW Wyoming to New Mexico about a month ago, I made some phone calls to auto salvage yards in four States, trying to locate a better condition front bumper for my 59 Lincoln Capri. A guy in Rock Springs took my name and phone number on the promise he'd do some checking around. He called a few hours later. No bumper but he did find a 58 Lincoln, an entire car. I made the call and arranged to see the car in Casper, Wyoming on my trip to New Mexico. Although partially disassembled by the previous owner, it showed promise as a potential restoration project. Weeks later, I bought the car and hauled it to my home, this past Sunday. There's a rebuilt engine under the hood and it did not take much to get it running. I don't think I can post videos here, but if anyone is on facebook, check out the video I posted of the engine running and 'coming back to life' on the "58-60 Lincoln And Continental" facebook page.
There's some rust in the driver's side floorpan and trunk but I don't see any serious rust-through anywhere on the car. The car needs to be rescued and brought back to life and I'm the guy to do it.
There was some talk about a "Marilyn Monroe connection" with this car, with claims that Monroe had been photographed with this Lincoln years ago in California. The only connection I see is Monroe's dress being the same color as the champagne paint on the 58 Premiere. I told the seller (son of the deceased owner) that he had to "throw in the book as part of the deal."
The car had sat for so many years/decades? in this garage in Casper, Wyoming. Here are some photos as it was found:
The windshield was removed, but there was a good clean used windshield in a shipping box in a corner of the garage. The windshield alone justified the $500 asking price for the car.
The car is basically straight. The chrome, stainless and aluminum trim in good condition.
I believe these are correct original miles based on what I've seen of the car.
Stopping to fuel up in Casper, the car created a minor sensation with several people approaching us and asking about the car.
The car in my driveway. Parts for the car and a bunch of extra parts (most from a pink 59 Lincoln) came with the car.
An order from Eastwood and a receipt from 2003. My guess is that the car sat untouched for at least the past 10-12 years.
According to the owner's son, the engine had been rebuilt years ago by Auto Dynamics in Casper. It didn't take much to get it running. And with it running, I've decided this will be a restoration project.
1958 Lincoln Premiere Landau, 1959 Lincoln Capri Landau, 2013 Mustang GT, 2014 F150 Supercrew Ecoboost, 2010 Focus SEL
