LCOC members are united in their love of all things Lincoln, but the real glue that holds us together is the relationships we build with others in the club. Nowhere is that better demonstrated than with this kind tribute by Richard Gierak to his friend and fellow LCOC member Bill Edwards, who passed away recently at the age of 95. Our full sympathies and condolences are extended to Bill’s family and friends. Bill was a frequent participant in LCOC events and meets and much loved for his long club history and expert knowledge.
Nothing says it better than Richard’s tribute:
It is with a heavqy heart that I share the passing of long-time LCOC member William “Bill” Edwards. I met Bill at an LCOC meet in Sacramento California in the early 2000’s. Bill was a great friend and help to me the past 20 years with his in-depth knowledge of the 1950’s Lincolns and Continentals. Bill lived in El Sobrante California and worked at the Oakland Lincoln dealership in the 1950’s.
At our first meeting in Sacramento I told Bill I had a ’57 Premiere and he gifted me with a “Johnny Lightning” match-box size model that he had with him. In addition to his love for Lincolns and family, Bill was also a long-time fan of the San Francisco 49ers. I know Bill’s involvement with LCOC goes back well before I joined in 1997.
I don’t know how far back Bill’s involvement with LCOC goes; I’ve found the following in the 2011 LCOC Directory (all Western National Meets):
- Ford Motor Company Trophy Winner
- 1991 – 1956 Lincoln Premiere Sedan
- William Coughlin Trophy Winner
- 1993 – 1956 Lincoln Premiere Sedan
- 1994 – 1956 Lincoln Premiere Sedan
- Lincoln Trophy #7 Winner
- 1998 – 1957 Continental Mark II
In 2016 the East Bay Times published an article by David Krumboltz on Bill and his 1956 Premiere. It featured a large photo of Bill with the vehicle. He was an expert on Lincolns of the period, having served as a career mechanic at the Richmond and Oakland Lincoln dealerships.
Bill said the ’56 Lincoln represented a real effort to take on market leader Cadillac, and Lincoln almost doubled its sales with the combined Capri and Premiere models.
Standard equipment with the Premiere included Linc-o-matic auto matic transmission, a power front bench seat, and power windows, steering, brakes and antenna. It also had an automatic headlight dimmer. Two unusual features are an interior rear-view mirror that can be raised or lowered and the Multi Luber. “Every day,” Edwards said, “when you started the car, you pushed the button (on the dash) to automatically lubricate the whole car.”
The 1956 Lincoln was powered with a 386 c.i., 285 HP V8-engine and used a 12-volt electrical system for the first time. The Premiere had driving lights, front and rear heaters, and a town and country AM radio with a rear-seat speaker.
In that time period, great size equaled great status. The 1956 Lincoln sedan sat on a 126-inch wheelbase, was more than 18½-feet long and weighed 4,822 pounds. As a comparison, a 2014 Lincoln MKS sedan sits on a 112.9-inch wheelbase, is about 17 feet long and weighs 4,151 pounds.
The car sold new for about $3,800 (about $44,700 in 2025 dollars).
Edwards was the third owner. He knew the second owner and was determined to drive a hard bargain once he learned the car was for sale. Expecting $8,000, he had made up his mind to offer just half, no matter what the asking price. But when it came in at just $2,000, Bill forgot about haggling and wrote out a check on the spot.
This particular car was highly prized by Ford Motor Co., because it was original and pristine, and in 1996 they wanted to include it in a show at Dearborn, MI. Ford offered hotel accommodations for Bill and his wife for two weeks, but no help for transporting the car there. The solution was for Bill’s wife to fly there, while he and a friend drove nearly 2,400 miles one way. The friend flew home as Bill and wife completed the round trip in the Lincoln. They made it to Dearborn in 21/2 days, but might not have come out ahead at just 10-14 mpg, burning about 200 gallons each way.
In 2016 the car had 103,000 miles on it, with only routine maintenance. The dark metallic green paint was in excellent shape as were the comfortable leather and cloth bench seats.
Edwards estimated the Lincoln’s market value then at about $25,000. “It’s probably worth more than a restored car in the same condition just because it is original.”
Apparently the old-style air conditioning worked well. Back then some Lincoln mechanics, unknown to the dealership management, on hot summer days would sit in new Lincolns with the air on to eat lunch. Not only did they have a cool and comfortable lunch, they also got to enjoy the new car smell.
Click the link for the full article about Bill and his 1956 Premiere. Our thanks to Richard for his kind thoughts, photos and research.
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