We were closer to getting a Lincoln Continental wagon than we thought....

Guy on the Station Wagons group Facebook page posted this screen grab from another FB group post.

It appears to be a page from the August, 2002 issue of 'Collectible Automobile' with an interview of Ford Motor designer Gale Halderman (designed the first Mustang).

Shows a styling study done apparently in 1976 of a Lincoln Continental version of their forthcoming downsized wagons for 1979.

I don't recall seeing these pics before......

 

It appears to be a Continental-styled Colony Park. That would've been an interesting rig to be driving back then.
And the Versailles made money? You'd think the Whiz Kids would've stuck with it for 1980.

 

They did, for 1980. The Versailles took a break for 1981, then came back as the 'new smaller' Continental for 1982, on the fox platform.

 

Well, yeah, maybe I should rephrase what I actually meant:

"You'd think the Whiz Kids would've stuck with it after 1980."

 

The only reasons as to why they probably didn't put it into production was not only because of unknown demand. Since Cadillac and Chrysler didn't have plans for doing likewise, a wagon version of a Lincoln was feared for tarnishing Lincoln's image altogether.
IMO, it does look great. Methinks, a protruding fake spare tire rear door stamping would have made it even more Continentalish. If I was out looking to buy a Continental back then, I certainly would have opted for a wagon. Unfortunately, Ford Motor can't earn money on just a handfull of potential buyers. That's the lesson they already learned from the Continental Mark II and the Skyliner

 

I don't think I have seen that one before either. Interesting to read the interview.
Thanks for sharing it with us Marshall.

 

The guy they were interviewing in the article explained that there is a limited amount of 'project dollars' (my term, not his), and in corporate management-think, an investment in tooling for a different model has to be worth the cost in some way - either sales or brand identity. In this case, it was apparently thought that the Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park (and the non-wood version) were luxurious enough, and a Lincoln version of the wagon was unnecessary. As this was also the case then with Cadillac and Imperial, this seems like the correct decision was made.

I still think that if FMC HAD given the go-ahead, these would be VERY collectible wagons today. I'd certainly want one.....

 

Some have tried, few have succeeded.
Id like to do a 65 Connie wagon.

 

Some of those digital concepts are intriguing.

 

I've conversed with Steven Erler, the creator of those 'imagined' station wagons, on FB. Really nice guy. he does other 'What if?' renderings, and will even do a drawing on your own classic if you would like.
He is a station wagon fan though......
Here's his website. Lots to see there.....

https://www.auto-visuals.com/

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As to that custom '56 Lincoln Premiere station wagon, that was custom-made by a coachwork firm some years ago, on order from it's owner, Phil Schaefer. Here's the best article available on the custom Lincoln station wagon he calls the 'Pioneere'. I've conversed with Phil on FB as well.....also a real nice guy.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/no-plywood-allowed-1956-lincoln

 

Thanks for the link Marshall.

 

If he would have kept the original engine in service, it would have remained this quiet: