A 1956 Lincoln Premiere, Ready to Hit the Road in Style

Volume 21 Issue 6 Our 20th year June 1, 2021

A 1956 Lincoln Premiere, ready to hit the road in style.

John McDowall is the very proud owner of this magnificent machine.

We are pleased to feature a short story about one of our member's latest acquisitions. Lincoln has produced some outstanding automobiles over the years, a few of which have clearly stood head and shoulders above the rest of the crowded field of automobiles. Most people who love cars would think about the Zephyrs of the 30s and the Continentals that shared some of the same styl- Welcome to the ing cues that set the Zephyrs apart from most other cars. Northstar News, the In 1956, Lincoln introduced completely restyled vehicles, the previously top-of-the-line Capri monthly publication of series, and an even more elegant Premiere series, which was the new top model. In another bold move, Lincoln brought out the Continental Mark II, a true personal luxury vehicle. Both the Lin- the Northstar Region coln and the Mark II were styling hits. Both models received rave reviews and were much loved of the Lincoln and by those who purchased them as new cars in 1956. Cadillac was still the dominant model in the Continental Owners luxury car segment in 1956. Cadillac produced and sold 155,577 automobiles, a significant increase over 1955. Lincoln came in second, producing 50,322 vehicles, including 2,447 Premier Club. We value your convertibles. A pretty good year for Lincoln. Packard, an independent company, finished in third opinions and appreciate place with sales of 28,835 units. Packard ran out of steam midway through 1956 and ended pro- your input concerning duction of what was one of America's automobiles. The Imperial division of Chrysler Motor Car this newsletter and the Company sold a total of 10,628 cars. Most of which were four-door sedan models. They also produced an extremely good-looking two-door hardtop model, but only about 1,200 were sold. Mid- operation of the club. way through the model year, a four-door hardtop was introduced. It, too, was a good-looking car, This is your club. but only about a thousand or so were sold.

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This Issue Contains Feature Story 1 Directors Message 3 Club Information Page 4 Northstar Monthly Board Meeting Minutes 5 Editors Message 2 North Star Events 15 Trivia 2

NORTHSTAR NEWS

Trivia from the Editors Message June 2021

Internet Dear friends and gentle readers…. not quite the same. By the time you receive the newsletter, it As mentioned above, everything is open- will be June. And now for the depressing ing up a little more each and every week. We news, in about three weeks, the days will start were invited to a late afternoon dinner and getting shorter once auction sponsored again. Now, if that by our friends with isn’t a day spoiler, I the Classic Car don’t know what is. Club. There is a lot Things are slowly of overlap in both starting to open up. clubs, and this Now, if we can get event, usually a pot- all those good folks luck held in Febru- out there to get their ary, was pushed Covid-19 shots so toward the end of we can reach 70 May. As in prior percent or more, years, we met at the things would be Firefighters Muse- really good. The um in Minneapolis best way to beat this on a Saturday after- horrible disease into noon. There were Audrey Hepburn the ground is to get about 50 plus people Star of Stage and Screen as many people to there, and it was 1929 - 1993 get vaccinated as such an enjoyable soon as possible. experience. The Hepburn was born Common sense and food was so excel- Audrey Kathleen Ruston good sound science lent, and the auction or, later, Hepburn- dictate that is the mainly consisted of It is an enjoyable day outdoors. Sweet Olga is sit- Ruston on 4 May 1929 at responsible thing classic car books. I ting on the small bench that I have on the front number 48 Rue Keyen- for all of us to do. came home with a porch, watching the world go by. She is looking And as quickly as wonderful coffee veld in Ixelles, Brussels, especially fine; she just spent some time at the possible. table-type book Belgium. She was known groomers, getting her clothes washed and blow- to her family as Adri- It was such a about classic auto- dried. All girls like to look their best. You never mobiles. The after- aantje. lovely day for our know who might come to call. noon/evening was Hepburn's mother, foray up to the hin- terlands of Taylors nice and indeed a Baroness Ella van Heem- Falls, not far from the native habitat of the pleasure to escape from my home for a few stra (June 12, 1900 - Au- Johnson Clan. Some of the club met recently hours and see some long-time friends. Toward gust 26, 1984), was a at the “Drive-In,” appropriately named, be- the middle of June, we will be having a car Dutch noblewoman. cause it is a genuine Olde-Tyme drive-in, re- show at Bloomington Lincoln. Our friends Her father, Joseph plete with carhops and burgers and crispy fries there are eager to see us, it has been about two Victor Anthony Ruston in a basket. If you turn the clock back some 60 years since our last show there. Plan on at- (November 21, 1889 - Oc- -70 years or so, at establishments like that and tending, bring an old Lincoln, and your appe- tober 16, 1980), was a even in a few restaurants, notably the lower tite; Bloomington Lincoln will be serving British subject born in buck type, a lot of food was served in a basket. lunch. It will be a great day. More details on Auschitz, Bohemia, Aus- In the roaring metropolis of Duluth, where I the back page of our newsletter. Bring a chair tria-Hungary. He was spent my youthful years, there was a restau- with you to sit a spell and catch up with what the son of Victor John rant on east Superior street called the South- has happened this past 14 - 15 months. There George Ruston, of British ern. It had a rather elaborate neon sign that will be some opportunities to get together as a and Austrian back- featured a large chicken swinging a golf club. club each month through November. Please try to attend something. We look forward to ground and Anna Wels, It was a sight to behold. Their menu featured seeing you. who was of Austrian fried foods that were served in baskets, chicken, burgers, some fish stuff. But for the most If you can, give a friend a call and check origin and born in Ko- part, it pretty much all tasted like fried chick- in with them. Most of us appreciate a real call varce. en. But, as a young kid, I just loved that once in a while and the chance to talk with Hepburn's parents sign… A chicken swinging a golf club. The fellow club members. were married in Bata- golden age of neon. Nobody can afford neon Till next month, David and Sweet Olga, (Continued on page 3) anymore. Everything is LEDs today, nice, but the Samoyed.

NORTHSTAR NEWS (Continued from page 2) via, Dutch East Indies, in Directors Message by Bob Johnson May 2021 September 1926. At the Most of our COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted. Our time, Ruston worked for a members discussed the consequences of the COVID-19 trading company, but soon Pandemic at our May board meeting and started to sched- after the marriage, the cou- ule region activities. We started with the CCCA again, ple moved to Europe, where inviting us to their dinner and auction. This event in Febru- he began working for a ary 2020 was the last inside event we attended, and that loan company; reportedly was 16 months ago. The CCCA has a free dinner planned, tin merchants MacLaine, and hopefully, the auction will pay for our dinner. This is a Watson and Company in start to getting back to some type of normal; whatever will London and then Brussels. be seen as we plod through 2021. The Back to the 50s As a result of her multina- event was canceled, and then after we planned our Bloomington Lincoln car show on that tional background and weekend to take up the slack, they brought back the Back to the 50s car show. That change travelling with her family caused us to reschedule our Bloomington car show to June 12. The good news is that we due to her father's job, she will have at least one region car show this year. learned six languages: Please check out the last page of this newsletter for a tentative schedule of events Dutch and English from planned for the remainder of the year. her parents, and later var- Membership Director Dave Gustafson sent letters to 29 members who have not yet ying degrees of French, Ger- renewed. Dave announced that as of May 4, 74% of the North Star membership have re- man, Spanish, and Italian. newed. Please help us complete our 2021 Membership renewal program. Hepburn's parents offi- If you do not want to drive to Michigan or Pennsylvania for a car show in 2021, our cially divorced in 1938. In 2021 Homecoming meet also has a virtual car show; you can display your Lincoln for four the 1960s, Hepburn re- months and not enter or go to the live show at Hickory Corners. It will have its own Peo- newed contact with her fa- ple's Choice awards by decade, voted on by only persons registered for the virtual car ther after locating him in show. You can just enter this virtual car show Dublin through the Red Go to: vlmcmhomecomingmeet.cornerstonereg.com/ Help, and tutorials will explain Cross; although he re- how to register for this car show without leaving your home if that is all you want to do. If mained emotionally de- you are going to do both the virtual and live car shows, you need only pay a $25 fee for the tached, Hepburn supported virtual car show: then when you register for all the live car show activities, leave the $25 him financially until his car fee blank. (only pay car fee if you did not do virtual car show and want to enter a car in death. the live car show only), The live event will be---the eighth annual Homecoming at the Lin- After Britain declared coln Motor Car Heritage. Go to: war on Germany in Sep- lincolncarmuseum.org/our-museum/events/10-events/60-2021-lincoln-homecoming tember 1939, Hepburn's I just waxed my 2004 White Lincoln Town Car with MEGUIAR'S HYBRID CE- mother moved her daugh- RAMIC WAX; it turned out beautiful. This is a new release by Meguiars, and this a prod- ter back to Arnhem in the uct that is easy to use for someone of any level of experience. "Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic hope that, as during the Wax is the new face in wax technology. This sophisticated wax hybrid uses a high- First World War, the Neth- viscosity formula to form a protective layer on the exterior of your car with easy applica- erlands would remain neu- tion. No rubbing, curing, or buffing is needed. Simply spray on, rinse off and watch the tral and be spared a Ger- magic happen! Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax is designed with advanced technology to man attack. While there, bond to your exterior paint and form a thicker coating that is long-lasting and durable with- Hepburn attended the Arn- out the elbow grease ." I must say I am initially impressed with this product, especially the hem Conservatory from ease of application. You can add some nice protection to your car in less than five minutes 1939 to 1945. She had begun in total. I was also impressed at the glossy appearance that was left behind after the initial taking ballet lessons during application. It was noticeable, and the car's surface was left with a nice slick feeling to it. her last years at boarding Now I have to do our 1989 Mark VII convertible. school, and continued train- As always, keep the journey continuing in our marvelous Lincolns and stay WELL. ing in Arnhem under the tutelage of Winja Marova, becoming her "star pupil". Bob and Mary Johnson After the Germans invaded the Netherlands in 1940, Hepburn used the name Edda van Heemstra, be- (Continued on page 5) 3

NORTHSTAR NEWS

Board Of Directors - 2021

Title Name Phone Numbers email Term Ends

Regional Director Bob Johnson H(651)257-1715 [email protected] 2021

H(952)473-3038 Secretary Roger Wothe [email protected] 2022 O(952)583-5339 Treasurer Matt Foley C(612)280-4930 [email protected] 2022

Activities Director Jay White H(612)559-3219 [email protected] 2021

Director Bob Roth H(763)475-1429 2021 Publications/ Dave Gustafson H(952)435-1919 [email protected] 2022 Membership

Director Tom Brace H(651)644-1716 [email protected] 2022

Director Bill Holaday H(763)402-1171 [email protected] 2020

Director Jeff Eisenberg (612)521-3537 [email protected] 2020 Director Dave Heeren (952)469-3647 [email protected] 2022

Members and guests are welcome to attend the Board Meetings. Our meeting location, unless otherwise specified, will be held at Bloomington Lincoln in their conference room. Meeting time will be 6:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month, except December.

Articles and other information for the newsletter should be sent to David Gustafson, Editor, at 308 Brandywine Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337. email: [email protected] More Premiere convertible

(Continued from page 1)

North Star member John McDowall sent us a brief story about one of his latest acquisitions, a 1956 Lincoln Premiere convertible. Indeed a basket case, most of the restoration work was done by the previous owner, leaving John only a few things to finish out what is a stunning Premiere. Here is the "short story" about John's Pride and Joy. I have had and continue to have a variety of collector cars, but my Continentals and Lincolns are at the top of my list. My latest "Pride & Joy" is my 1956 Lincoln Premiere convertible that I found in the Hemming’s Motor News publication that was for sale in one of our neighboring states. I had been looking for one of these beau- The Premiere before restoration. It truly needed everything ties for several years, so I immediately contacted the seller and and a lot of attention. talked to this gentleman for over an hour to learn the history of his ownership of the vehicle. I knew during this telephone conversation that I needed to schedule a six-plus hour drive to see this car in person, so a few days later, I was at his home. Collecting cars is a hobby that I absolutely love, but the friendly relationships I have with the people who share this exciting hobby are second to none. After the visual and driving experience with the vehicle, the seller and his wife invited me in for a cup of coffee at their kitchen table that was full of photographs and documentation/ receipts of this frame off complete car restoration that took this retired 83-year-old former auto mechanic over five years to execute. I was utterly mesmerized to hear him speak about finding this car in a field in the State of Alabama that had no canvas convertible top remaining, interior completely gone except for the springs and rust holes in the floorboards. He shipped the car back to his home state in 1992, located another 1956 Premiere, which was used as a donor car, and in 1995 started the restoration pro- (Continued on page 6)

NORTHSTAR NEWS (Continued from page 3) cause an "English- sounding" name was con- Northstar Monthly Board Meeting Minutes sidered dangerous during the German occupation. In 1942, Hepburn, left May 6, 2021 Arnhem to live with her grandfather, Baron Aar- BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING noud van Heemstra, in nearby Velp. Around that time Hepburn per- The meeting was called to order via a conference call by Regional Director Bob Johnson at 6:30 formed silent dance per- p.m. Board members attending the conference call were Bob Johnson, Dave Gustafson, Bob Roth, Jay White, Matt Foley, Bill Holaday, Dave Heeren, Roger Wothe, and Tom Brace. He formances to raise mon- joined later and which included all of the Board members except Jeff Eisenberg. There were no ey for the Dutch re- visitors. The minutes of the previous meeting and the agenda of this meeting were approved. sistance effort. After the Allied land- ing on D-Day, living con- DIRECTOR’S REPORTS ditions grew worse, and Arnhem was subsequent- The first part of the meeting consisted of conversations between most of the members who dis- ly heavily damaged dur- cussed the consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and general conversation. Chairman Bob ing Operation Market Johnson called the meeting to order and reviewed the present membership renewal. He has sent a Garden. During the letter to 29 members who have not renewed at this time. Then a discussion was held with sug- Dutch famine that fol- gestions for tentative club events for 2021 as follows: lowed in the winter of 1944, the Germans May 8, a trip to Unique Classic Cars in Mankato. blocked the resupply May 22, a dinner and auction by the UMR-CCCA at the Minneapolis Fire Museum June 12, a car show at Bloomington Lincoln routes of the Dutch peo- June 18 – 20, Back to the 50s at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds ple's already limited food July 18, a car show at Maple Grove Days and fuel supplies as retal- July 25, a get together at Dave Heeren’s garage iation for railway strikes August 13 – 15, Lincoln Homecoming at Hickory Corners, Michigan that were held to hinder September 19, catered meal and a museum visit at Morries Car Collection German occupation. November 6, an end of year banquet at the Lowell Inn in Stillwater After the war ended in 1945, Hepburn moved All events and dates are tentative and will be followed by a notice from Bob Johnson. All Na- with her mother and sib- tional Meets have been moved to a later date. lings to Amsterdam, where she began ballet Treasurer Matt Foley announced that the treasury balance is $3,791.19 with all bills paid. training under Sonia Gaskell, a leading figure Membership and Publications Director Dave Gustafson announced that of May 4, 74% of the in Dutch ballet, and Rus- North Star membership have renewed. He requests that members submit more “My Pride and sian teacher Olga Tara- Joy” articles. sova. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next meeting will As the family's for- be a conference call from Bob Johnson Thursday, June 3, at 6:25 p.m. tunes had been lost during the war, Ella support- Respectfully submitted by Secretary Roger Wothe. ed them by working as a cook and housekeeper for a wealthy family. Hep- burn made her film de- but playing an air stew- ardess in Dutch in Seven Lessons (1948), an educa- tional travel film made by Charles van der Lin- (Continued on page 6)

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(Continued from page 5) den and Henry Joseph- More Premiere Happenings 1982 son. Hepburn was offered (Continued from page 4) What Happened in 1982 Important News a small role in a film be- cess. The seller said that the floorboards from and Events, Key Technology and Popular ing shot in both English both of the cars (the donor and convertible) Culture and French, Monte Carlo were "so badly rusted" that he actually made a Baby (French: Nous floorboard pattern and tooled his own new What happened in 1981 Major News Stories Irons a Monte Carlo, floorboards. include Michael Jackson releases Thriller Al- 1952), which was filmed bum, First CD player sold in Japan, Dutch Elm in Monte Carlo. Coinci- Disease destroys millions of Elm Trees, Ty- dentally, French novelist lenol capsules laced with potassium cyanide Colette was at the Hotel kill 7 in Chicago, Times man of The Year is de Paris in Monte Carlo THE COMPUTER, Disney Futuristic Park during the filming, and EPCOT opens, Recession starts in the United States, The Mary Rose, flagship of Henry VIII decided to cast Hepburn raised in the Solent. New technology continues in the title role in the to change our buying habits with smaller and Broadway play Gigi. cheaper electronic gadgets appearing including Hepburn went into re- and a new industry is just beginning with the hearsals having never use of Genetic Engineering human insulin pro- Floor panels completely rusted through. spoken on stage, and re- duced by bacteria is sold for the first time. On quired private coaching. the world stage Argentina invades the Falkland When Gigi opened at the Islands and Argentina and the UK go to war Fulton Theatre on No- over a small island thousands of miles away. vember 24,1951, she re- After many reports of Whales becoming and ceived praise for her per- endangered species the International Whaling formance, despite criti- Commission decides to end commercial whal- cism that the stage ver- ing, and a major recession hits the United sion was inferior to the States. French film adaptation. Life called her a "hit", Cost of Living 1982 - How Much things while The New York What needs restoration? Why, everything! cost Yearly Inflation Rate USA 6.16 % Times stated that "her He also made new rocker panels for both quality is so winning and Year End Close Dow Jones 1046 sides of the car out of 1/8 inch steel. His Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve so right that she is the brother, who was an auto body man, helped 11.50% success of the evening". him with the rest of the bodywork, and then Average Cost of new house $82,200 Hepburn also received a the two of them painted the entire car in the Median Price Of and Existing Home - $67,800 Theatre World Award seller's garage in a homemade spray Average Income per year $21,050.00 for the role. The play ran booth. The vehicle then had a complete en- Average Monthly Rent $320.00 for 219 performances, gine rebuild, transmission rebuild, steering Cost of a gallon of Gas 91 cents closing on May 31, 1952, rebuild, new complete stainless exhaust, re- New Car Average price $7,983.00 before going on tour, chromed bumpers, stainless body trim bright- US Postage Stamp 20 cents which began October 13, work polished, and interior upholstered. As all Tomatoes Lb 39 cents of you are aware, a full body off car restora- 1952 in Pittsburgh and Bag Cheese Puffs 89 cents tion is a HUGE undertaking and takes a lot of visited Cleveland, Loaf White Sliced bread 50 cents time. This is something that this gentleman Chicago, Detroit, Comodore Vic 20 $299.95 said he thoroughly enjoyed throughout the Satellite Receiver $245.95 Washington, D. C., and entire process. Now, after over 20 years of Los Angeles, before clos- Walking / Jogging Machine $199.95 enjoyment (the car was only driven to car GMC 1500 Pickup $5,400 ing on May 16, 1953 in shows and never in the rain), the seller's health San Francisco. Sony 19 inch Color TV $499 now being an issue, it was time to sell, and I Outdoor Gas Grill $199.95 Hepburn had her am the very fortunate new owner of this vehi- first starring role in Ro- cle! United States - Michael Jackson's Thriller man Holiday (1953), play- We hope that John will come to one of Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking album ing Princess Ann, a Eu- our events and bring his great-looking Premi- (Continued on page 7) ere for us to see and admire up close. (Continued on page 11)

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 6) ropean princess who es- The Return of the Continental Nameplate capes the reins of royalty and has a wild night out In searching for some interesting materi- nental was no longer related to the Mark VI, which carried on with its much larger size on with an American news- al, we came across a few stories about the the Panther platform. While the Mark VI was man (Gregory Peck). The Continental for 1982. While the nameplate had been used in prior years, it was applied to available with two or four doors, the new producers of the movie ini- a personal luxury automobile, designed to Continental was only available as a four-door tially wanted Elizabeth compete in the marketplace with the second sedan. Taylor for the role, but di- generation Cadillac Seville and the (Chrysler) The styling was unique to Ford-built rector William Wyler was Imperial coupe. The Continental was fairly cars, although it reminded one of the Cadil- so impressed by Hepburn's well accepted by both the automotive journal- lac Seville. It was better executed than the screen test that he cast her ists and the general public. Tim Howley origi- Seville. There were razor edge angles to the instead. Wyler later com- nally wrote the story and appeared in issue body reminiscent of the luxury British mented, "She had every- 320, September/October 2014. Collectors coachbuilders, particularly H.J. Mulliner and thing I was looking for: have overlooked these fine cars for many Freestone and Webb. The Signature and Giv- charm, innocence, and tal- years. They are now coming into their own, enchy Designer Series were top-end trim and ent. She also was very fun- and their values are gradually going upward. color options. It was considerably more ex- ny. She was absolutely en- Featuring the 302 cubic inch engine, coupled pensive at a base price of $21,302 than either chanting, and we said, to the Automatic Overdrive transmission, it the Town Car or Mark VI. The Continental 'That's the girl!'" Originally, made for an excellent car for cruising the Signature Series was $24,456, and the Giv- enchy was $24,803. But those prices includ- the film was to have had highways in total comfort. Now here is the ed virtually every option that cost extra on only Gregory Peck's name story as presented by Tim Howley. other Lincoln models. The dual shade Signa- above its title, with ture Series came in three unique color combi- "Introducing Audrey Hep- nations, and the Givenchy had dual shade burn" beneath in smaller paint in black and medium-dark mulberry font. However, Peck sug- metallic and special decklid striping. The gested to Wyler that he ele- interior was mulberry luxury cloth or mul- vate her to equal billing so berry leather. that her name appeared The standard engine with the Continen- before the title, and in type tal was the 302 V-8 at 5.2 liters, developing as large as his: "You've got 131 hp at 3,400 rpm. This engine had the to change that because she'll variable venturi carburetor instead of elec- be a big star, and I'll look Dick Nelson’s 1985 Givenchy tronic fuel injection on the Town Car and like a big jerk." Mark VI. The engine was coupled with a The film was a box- One of the few models we have not cov- four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. office success, and Hepburn ered in this magazine is the 1982-'87 Conti- Additionally, there was a no-cost optional V- 6 at 232 cid (3.8 liters), developing 112 hp at gained critical acclaim for nental simply because we do not see many of 4,000 rpm. This was the first-ever Lincoln V- her portrayal, unexpected- them at our national and regional meets. That has changed, first with Dick Nelson's 1985 6 offered, and it came in the interest of fuel ly winning an Academy Givenchy from Chicago, then Terry Sparks economy. Award for Best Actress, a 1987 Givenchy from Florida, and now Robert BAFTA Award for Best Supalla's 1986 Givenchy from California. British Actress in a Leading Three successive years of Givenchy's from Role, and a Golden Globe three very separate sections of the country. Award for Best Actress - No Valentinos, but at least enough Givenchys Motion Picture Drama in to let us put together a story. 1953. Before the 1979 Cadillac Seville went out Hepburn was signed to of style, Lincoln came out with their own a seven-picture contract version of the bustle-back look. This was the Rear quarter, Dick Nelson’s Givenchy with Paramount, with 12 newly redesigned and engineered 1982 Conti- months in between films to nental. No longer the full-sized Panther-based The Continental was marketed heavily allow her time for stage car, it rode on a stretched version of the Fox as the ultimate in luxury fashion design and work. She was featured on platform. It had a 108.7-inch wheelbase and trim. First-year sales were 23,908, which was September 7, 1953 cover of was 201.2 inches long. This was actually respectable, but nothing like the Cadillac Seville, which was already on the decline. Time magazine, and also shorter than the Versailles, which arguably it Lincoln was late with this design. To Ford's (Continued on page 8) replaced. Due to the downsizing, the Conti- (Continued on page 8) 7

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(Continued from page 7) became known for her per- Continental Returns for 1982 sonal style. Following her (Continued from page 7) was now Midnight Black and Burnished Pew- success in Roman Holiday, credit, the Continental did not have the me- ter. The interior was Sand Beige leather and Hepburn starred in Billy chanical issues the Cadillac had. Where the Vee cloth seat trim. The increasingly popular Wilder's romantic Cinderel- Cadillac used some Chevy Nova parts, the Givenchy Series now came in dark rosewood la-story comedy Sabrina Continental was all Lincoln, except for the V- with a mulberry brown interior in leather or (1954), in which wealthy 6 borrowed from the Thunderbird and Cou- luxury cloth. V-8 production was 28,253. brothers (Humphrey Bo- gar. The Fox platform was also borrowed. The 1986 Continental had 150 hp V-8, gart and William Holden) For 1983, the Continental had virtually no and anti-lock brakes were now standard. compete for the affections styling or trim change, but the engine now Standard equipment now included reclining of their chauffeur's inno- had electronic fuel injection. The optional V- power front seats, four-way headrests, keyless cent daughter (Hepburn). 6 economy engine was no longer available. entry, and leather-wrapped steering wheel, For her performance, she The Signature Series was dropped, and the compass, thermometer, and dual illuminated was nominated for the 1954 Valentino was added. The Givenchy re- vanity mirrors. The Valentino Series was dropped. The Givenchy paint scheme was Academy Award for Best mained throughout the model's six-year run. Midnight Black over Red Velvet. Givenchy Actress, while winning the The Valentino came in dual•shade paint all its own, Walnut Moondust over Gold Mist, with logos and gold window scripts continued to BAFTA Award for Best black and gold accent striping. The Givenchy set this model further apart. The seats were Actress in a Leading Role dual-shade paint scheme was Midnight Black usually all perforated leather in a rich taupe the same year. Bosley and Platinum Mist with blue-gray, magenta, color, but a luxurious fabric could be had at Crowther of The New York and tri-color charcoal accent striping. The no extra cost. Times stated that she was trim on all Series was upgraded, and produc- All Lincolns got a major mechanical im- "a young lady of extraordi- tion declined to 16,831. provement in 1986 with sequential multiport nary range of sensitive and For 1984, the grille was sloped to make electronic fuel injection, roller tappets, low moving expressions within the car look more aerodynamic. The 302 en- tension piston rings, and fast burn combustion such a frail and slender gine was up to 140 hp. An optional 302 pro- chambers. Production for 1986 was down to frame. duced 155 hp with dual exhausts. Another 19,012. Highway gas mileage on the Conti- Hepburn also returned optional engine was a BMW six-cylinder nental was always respectable, in the 23-24 to the stage in 1954, playing turbo-diesel at 149 cid (2.4 liters) and 115 hp. mpg range. Production was19,012. There were few changes in the 1987 mod- a water nymph who falls in Like the styling, diesel engines passed el, the last for the slopey shape. The Givenchy love with a human in the from the scene, and this engine was dropped in mid-1985. Electronic air suspension was colors were rose quartz metallic over dark fantasy play Ondine on introduced in 1984 on both the Continental taupe metallic. A cherry wood applique re- Broadway. Her perfor- and the all-new Mark VII. placed genuine walnut trim. Production was mance won her the 1954 17,597, and production ended early, making Tony Award for Best Per- way for the all-new and much rounded 1988 formance by a Leading Ac- model, which was so successful that produc- tress in a Play three days tion was up to 41,287. after she won the Academy Award for Roman Holiday, making her one of three The Continental featured a simple, but ele- actresses to receive the gant styled dash. Academy and Tony Awards for Best Actress in The Valentino Series now had a dual- the same year (the other color paint scheme of Cabernet wine and me- two are Shirley Booth and dium charcoal with a unique body accent stripe and dual-color decklid accent stripe Ellen Burstyn). During the with a Valentino "V" logo on the decklid. production, Hepburn and Seats were charcoal leather or pleated cloth. her co-star Mel Ferrer be- The Givenchy was light blue and Midnight Terry Sparks with his 1987 Givenchy series gan a relationship, and blue with a tri-color body accent stripe and a were married on September two-color decklid accent stripe with a double Terry Sparks of Safety Harbor, Florida, 25, 1954 in Switzerland. "G" logo. Seats were Admiral Blue in leather entered a 1987 Givenchy at the 2014 Florida Hepburn next starred or luxury cloth. V-8 production soared to National Show. The trim size and unique styl- as New Yorker Holly 30,468 in 1984. ing drew him to the car. With the help of Lin- Golightly, in Blake Ed- In 1985, four-wheel anti-lock braking coln Land in Clearwater, he purchased it from (Continued on page 9) was introduced as an option. The Valentino (Continued on page 9)

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(Continued from page 8) wards's Breakfast at Tiffa- More Continental Taylors Falls Fun ny's (1961), a film loosely based on the Truman Ca- (Continued from page 8) The weather finally warned up to the low pote novella of the same the original owner in Michigan. This Lincoln 70s for our road trip to Taylors Falls Drive-In had only been driven 11,500 miles in the first for lunch Thursday, May 13. name. Capote disapproved 26 years since production. Terry has driven it Jay White led a small caravan from the of many changes that were another 1,000 miles since he purchased it in White Bear Lake Municipal Building parking made to sanitize the story 2013. Having owned and driven a number of lot to Taylors Falls. With short notice and for the film adaptation, and big Lincolns through the years, he was im- members not believing that we could get de- would have preferred Mari- pressed with the comfort and solid driving feel cent weather for this outing, we had a small lyn Monroe to have been of this smaller version. As a well-maintained, turnout to enjoy the best burgers in Taylors cast in the role, although he unrestored original, he is confident that it is as Falls. also stated that Hepburn close to driving a "brand-new" 27-year-old car "did a terrific job". The as you can find. Terry writes, "While not character is considered one quick on acceleration, the Continental will of the best-known in Ameri- move you along more than adequately in a can cinema, and a defining style that sets it apart from so many of the role for Hepburn. The dress contemporary look-alike luxury cars on the market. This Lincoln draws attention from car she wears during the open- enthusiasts wherever I go. One interesting ing credits has been consid- historical note: the original Michigan home of ered an icon of the twenti- this car was an estate built by Henry Ford for eth century, and perhaps his favorite niece." the most famous "little L-R Kathryn Holiday, Mary and Bob John- Dick Nelson, Chicago, owns a 1985 Giv- son, Brad Videen, Bill Holiday. black dress" of all time. enchy Edition that he found on e-Bay adver- Below: Dave Heeren’s ‘78 Mark V. Hepburn stated that the tised by a Volkswagen dealer in the Chicago role was "the jazziest of my suburbs. It was in very good condition, and career" yet admitted: "I'm after routine maintenance, he entered it in the an introvert. Playing the 2010 Mid-America National Meet in Lincoln, extroverted girl was the Nebraska, winning a Primary First and a Lin- hardest thing I ever did." coln Trophy. In 2011, it took a Senior Second She was nominated for the at the Mid-America National Meet in Pontiac, Academy Award for Best Michigan. In 2012, it won a Senior First and the Robert H. Davis Trophy at the Eastern Actress for her perfor- National Meet in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In mance. 2013, it won its first Emeritus Award at the Eager to get out of the house and enjoy an Hepburn appeared op- Mid-America National Meet in Tulsa, Okla- excellent greasy burger with fries were Brad posite Cary Grant in the homa. Videen, Bill and Kathryn Holaday, Jay White, comic thriller Charade Dave Gustafson, Sweet Olga, Bob Roth, Dave (1963), playing a young wid- Heeren, and Bob and Mary Johnson. A few ow pursued by several men good people, some very good food, it just who chase the fortune sto- doesn't get any better. len by her murdered hus- Dave Heeren drove his 1978 Blue Mark V band. The 59-year-old DJE on its maiden trip here in Minnesota; he Grant, who had previously had just taken the car out of its Iowa storage. This is one beautiful car. Jay White drove his withdrawn from the star- Robert Supalla’s 1986 Continental ring male lead roles in Ro- 1964 Continental convertible, and Brad man Holiday and Sabrina, LCOC member Robert Supalla, Videen drove his 1956 Premiere for us to en- Fallbrook, California, owns a 1986 Continen- joy. was sensitive about his age tal Givenchy that was shown at the 2014 Hun- The Drive-In has installed a new patio on difference with 34-year-old tington Beach Concours d' Elegance. He got the restaurant's north side to increase outside Hepburn, and was uncom- into the sharply lined models with a 1985 in seating, rather than having to eat in your car. fortable about the romantic 1988. Long after regretfully selling it, he They have also acquired some additional park- interplay. To satisfy his found a low mileage 1986 Givenchy model in ing on the north side of the street, across from concerns, the filmmakers 2010. It took him a long time to find this prize the Drive-In. agreed to alter the screen- model, which had spent its life in the Pacific If you enjoy eating outside, this is the play so that Hepburn's Northwest. The Continental has barely 50,000 place to go this summer when you want to (Continued on page 10) miles. take a drive to see the St. Croix river valley.

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(Continued from page 9) character was pursuing Driving Impresions - 1986 Continental him.[75] The film turned out to be a positive experience By Jeff Koch, from the internet. sions (at least it did when this car came online for him; he said, "All I want Editors note: I pulled this article off the in 1982; things changed as the 1980s went for Christmas is another internet. I thought it would be interesting to on). The body is formal, down to the me-too picture with Audrey Hep- get a non-Lincoln club person's take on this bustle back trunk effect combined with the burn." The role earned Hep- completely new Continental. This is the sev- faux-spare trunk hump, but the wind gently burn her third, and final, enth generation Continental and was offered sculpted the Continental's nose, and this Giv- competitive BAFTA to the public from 1982 through 1987. Most enchy did without a vinyl top. The interior is Award, and another Golden owners thought of them as pretty decent auto- leather (and specially stitched with Givenchy mobiles, and a lot of owners drove the very logos) and wood-esque surfacing, but the Globe nomination. life out of them. People are slowly seeing this glowing green digital gauge readouts were Hepburn reunited with generation of Continentals as not bad collec- modern for their time, and the dash, doors, her Sabrina co-star William tor cars. Reasonably affordable, virtually all and armrests have buttons everywhere; today, Holden in Paris When It were equipped with all of the creature com- leather inside still signifies class, and even Sizzles (1964), a screwball forts available at the time. And they were not wood has its place, while the alarming array comedy in which she played bad looking in comparison to their competi- of buttons and Apple II-style gauge readouts the young assistant of a tion at the time, the Cadillac Seville and the have a period feel about them. Hollywood screenwriter, (Chrysler) Imperial two-door coupe. A bit Your impressions of this particular ma- who aids his writer's block smaller and a little more compact, they will chine are going to be heavily dependent on by acting out his fantasies easily fit in your garage, with plenty of room your expectations. If you're walking in the of possible plots. Its produc- left over for the riding lawnmower. door with dreams of Mark V-levels of com- tion was troubled by sever- fort and room, forget it: you will not be hap- al problems. Holden unsuc- py. It's not that kind of Lincoln. The doors cessfully tried to rekindle a don't seem to open wide enough (or else the romance with the now- openings themselves seem petite), the leather married Hepburn, and his surfaces don't seem so plush you could fall asleep in them, your knuckles brush the top of alcoholism was beginning to the dash as you twirl the thin tiller around, the affect his work. controls feel little different from they would Hepburn's second film on your Aunt Helen's 1985 Cougar, and the released in 1964 was George diminished width is shocking: Should you be Cukor's film adaptation of able to touch the passenger's-side door from The all new 1982 Lincoln Continental. the stage musical My Fair the driver's seat of a Lincoln, or should you A breath of fresh air. Lady, which premiered in have a button at hand to do what you need October. Soundstage wrote Remember the old Ford Granada ads of done over there? that "not since Gone with the mid-1970s, mocking the Cadillac Seville But fans of the Versailles and that partic- the Wind has a motion pic- for costing so darned much when the Ford ular model sold well enough that you'd be ture created such universal (itself on a Falcon chassis dating back to the forgiven that Ford assumed there'd be lots of excitement as My Fair La- fall of 1959) was just as much car but cheap- fans of that car in the wake of OPEC II, might dy", although Hepburn's er? Clearly, the joke was on Ford, not Cadil- enjoy the more up-to-date surroundings; if casting in the role of Cock- lac, as by 1977, the Blue Oval boys heaped nothing else, everything you see and touch ney flower girl Eliza Doolit- luxury accouterment into a Granada and (beyond some of the many, many buttons tle was a source of dispute. called it Versailles so that they might get a dotted about the cabin) feels considerably Julie Andrews, who had piece of the exploding "precision-size" luxury more bespoke than did anything on a Ver- -car market. By the mid-1980s, only the Pan- sailles. Similarly, if you're expecting smooth- originated the role on stage, ther-based Town Car could reasonably be ness and silence that's otherwise unavailable was not offered the part called full-size; the Continental and Mark in Fairmonts, LTD LXs, Mustangs, Thunder- because producer Jack L. series (VI for 1980, VII for 1984) were on the birds, or the other myriad Ford products that Warner thought Hepburn Fox platform by mid-1982. So what we're utilized the Fox chassis, then you're in luck. was a more "bankable" greeted with here is one of the last of the rear- Continental delivers in spades. The idle is so proposition. Hepburn ini- wheel-drive Continentals before it went to smooth you'll wish for a tach just to ensure tially asked Warner to give front-wheel drive on the Taurus platform in that you actually twisted the key and lit a fire the role to Andrews but 1988. under it, there's some mild bass in the exhaust was eventually cast. Fur- And so, there is a dichotomy here: Lin- under acceleration, the ride splits the differ- ther friction was created coln did its damnedest to maintain traditional ence between Seventies soft and Foxy feel (Continued on page 11) luxury trappings in the face of changing through the seat and wheel, and the tires sigh times, which valued less expressive dimen- (Continued on page 11)

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(Continued from page 10) More Continental More happenings when, although non-singer Hepburn had sung in Fun- (Continued from page 10) (Continued from page 6) ny Face and had lengthy gently around big arcing sweepers taken per- “Thriller” was released during November. The vocal preparation for the haps a couple of miles an hour faster than the King of Pop’s nine song album was produced role in My Fair Lady, her posted limit. The brakes were a terrific sur- by legendary musician Quincy Jones and was vocals were dubbed by prise: very grabby at all speeds from the four Jackson’s sixth studio album. It featured hit Marni Nixon, whose voice discs. (We never hit the pedal hard enough to songs like Billie Jean, Beat It, Human Nature, was considered more suita- kick in the Conti's anti-lock brakes; we P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), Wanna Be Start- should have, if only for posterity, as this was in’ Somethin’, and the eponymous Thriller. It ble to the role. one of the first domestic production cars to was also known for the 14-minute long horror- As the decade carried offer ABS.) themed music video with memorable choreog- on, Hepburn appeared in We photographed the engine before we raphy that took MTV by storm. Since its re- an assortment of genres went for our drive, and we fell into the trap lease it has become the one of the highest- including the heist comedy of expectations: Seeing that giant aluminum selling albums of all time. How to Steal a Million air plenum atop the pushrod 302 sent five- (1966) where she played the liter Mustang dreams coursing through our United States -- AT&T Ordered to Break daughter of a famous art heads. Sadly, this was not to be: with just 150 Up collector, whose collection horsepower (rather than the 1986 Mustang's 1. The break-up of the AT&T monopoly was consists entirely of forger- 200-plus), just 270 foot-pounds of torque, ordered during January of 1982. ies. Fearing her father's plus considerably more weight than the pep- 2. The US government’s deal with the AT&T exposure, she sets out to py pony; the Lincoln was not a Mustang in Corporation stated that AT&T would give up steal one of his "priceless" disguise. (In its defense, it wasn't meant to be control of the Bell System (colloquially called statues with the help of a that; such hot-rod derring-do was what the Ma Bell) that had owned most of the tele- man played by Peter slick Mk VII coupe was for.) There wasn't phone services in the United States and Cana- O'Toole much stress or deep-breathing from the en- da since the 1940s. gine compartment under acceleration - just a After 1967, Hepburn 3. The agreement came as the result of an anti- gathering of momentum. To be fair, the Conti chose to devote more time trust case brought against the company in felt degrees ballsier than the 4100 V8- to her family and acted on- 1974 by the US Department of Justice. powered mid-1980s Cadillacs that were its 4. The break-up of the Bell System officially ly occasionally in the fol- contemporaries; as always, performance is a became effective two years later in 1984 when lowing decades. She at- question of perspective, and though we'd love it was split into seven different independent tempted a comeback play- to get one of these next to a Seville to be Regional Bell operating Companies, informal- ing Maid Marian in the sure, our sense-memory suggests that the ly known as “Baby Bells." period piece Robin and Lincoln would come out on top in a quarter- Marian (1976) with Sean mile fight. United States - Late Night Show Connery co-starring as Rob- 1. The first episode of Late Night with David in Hood, which was moder- Letterman debuts on NBC during February of ately successful. Hepburn's 1982. last starring role in a fea- 2. The show aired after Johnny Carson’s To- ture film was opposite Gaz- night Show and was directed by Hal Gurney. zara in the comedy They 3. The show’s first guests were Bill Murray All Laughed (1981), directed and Don Herbert. by Peter Bogdanovich. The 4. It soon gained a reputation for its innovative film was overshadowed by offbeat humor and quirkiness. Today, driving one doesn't feel like driv- 5. The show aired for over a decade with Let- the murder of one of its ing an old car in the way that strapping on a stars, Dorothy Stratten, terman as the host until Letterman moved to Seventies Continental or Mark does; it CBS to host the Late Show in 1993. and received only a limited doesn't have that era Lincoln's bob-and- 6. It has since continued with other hosts in- release. Six years later, weave that old disconnect from the road that cluding Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, and Hepburn co-starred with featherbed softness. Save for some power Seth Meyers. Robert Wagner in a made- and aesthetic issues; this new-for-1982 Con- for-television caper film, tinental manages to feel nearly contempo- United States - E.T. Film Debuts Love Among Thieves (1987). rary, even three decades later. Starting be- The popular science fiction film “E.T. the Ex- After finishing her last hind as they did, Lincoln managed to catch tra-Terrestrial” debuts during June. It was motion picture role—a cam- up in the weird world of downsized 1980s written by Melissa Mathison and produced eo appearance as an angel luxury - and maybe even surpassed everyone (Continued on page 12) else in the process. (Continued on page 12) 11

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(Continued from page 11) in Steven Spielberg's Al- Happenings from 1982 continued... ways (1989)—Hepburn com- pleted only two more enter- (Continued from page 11) Steve Miller band With " Abracadabra " tainment-related projects, and directed by Steven Spielberg. The story Survivor with " Eye of The Tiger " both critically acclaimed. revolves around a young boy named Elliott Chicago with " Hard to Say I'm Sorry " Lionel Richie Gardens of the World with and his younger sister (played by 6-year-old Drew Barrymore in one of her first major Audrey Hepburn was a roles) and their quest to help a lost alien Popular TV Programs PBS documentary series, (E.T.) return to its home planet. At the time Magnum, P.I. which was filmed on loca- of its release it was an immediate hit, surpas- Dynasty tion in seven countries in sing Star Wars as the highest-grossing film Falcon Crest the spring and summer of of all-time, a title which it held until 1993. Hill Street Blues 1990. A one-hour special The film was considered one of the most Knight Rider preceded it in March 1991, popular of the decade and won 4 of its 9 and the series itself began Academy Award nominations. Born This Year in 1982 airing the day after her Andy Roddick Born: August 30th, Omaha, death, January 21, 1993. Popular Culture 1982 NE In 1952, Hepburn be- Smileys - 1982 was the year a computer sci- LeAnn Rimes Born: August 28th, Jackson, came engaged to industrial- entist ( Scott Fahlman ) from Carnegie MS ist James Hanson, whom Mellon University first suggested the use of Kelly Clarkson Born: April 24th, Fort Worth, she had known since her Smiley or emoticon as a way of expressing TX early days in London. She emotion in an email :-) Nicki Minaj Born: December 8th, Port of called it "love at first sight", Freeware first used by Andrew Flueleman Spain, Trinidad and Tobago but after having her wed- and Jim Knopf to distribute their application Lil Wayne Born: September 27th, New Orle- ding dress fitted and the which allowed programs to be copied, in ans, LA 1984 the distribution of this type of software Prince William Born: June 21th, London, date set, she decided the changed from freeware to Shareware (name United Kingdom marriage would not work thought up by Bob Wallace) Priyanka Chopra Born: July 18th, Jamshed- because the demands of Michael Jackson releases his second adult pur, India their careers would keep solo album, Thriller. them apart most of the Graceland the home of Elvis Presley opens Technology time. She issued a public to the public First CD player sold in Japan statement about her deci- The screen legend Grace Kelly / Princess The Weather Channel airs on cable television sion, saying "When I get Grace of Monaco dies on September 14th in for the first time. married, I want to be really car crash The Soviet Spaceship Vanera 13 lands on married". Venus and sends back color Photographs At a cocktail party Popular Films 20 million Elm Trees die in the UK through hosted by mutual friend E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Dutch Elm Disease Gregory Peck, Hepburn met Rocky III, The First Commercial use of Genetic Engi- American actor Mel Fer- On Golden Pond neering is Launched when human insulin rer, and suggested that Porky's produced by bacteria is marketed they star together in a An Officer and a Gentleman Times man of The Year is THE COMPUTER play. The meeting led them The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan to collaborate in Ondine, Poltergeist during which they began a Annie relationship. Eight months Chariots of Fire later, on September 25, 1954, Gandhi they were married in Bur- genstock, Switzerland, Popular Musicians while preparing to star to- Human League with " Don't You Want Me " gether in the film War and Bucks Fizz Peace (1955). She and Ferrer The Jam had a son, Sean Hepburn Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder with " Ferrer. Ebony and Ivory " Olivia Newton-John (Continued on page 13) Vangelis

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(Continued from page 12) Despite the insistence Getting started with Lincoln from gossip columns that their marriage would not last, Hepburn claimed that she and Ferrer were insepa- rable and happy together, though she admitted that he had a bad temper.] Fer- rer was rumored to be too controlling, and had been referred to by others as being her "Svengali" - an accu- sation that Hepburn laughed off. William Hold- en was quoted as saying, "I think Audrey allows Mel to think he influences her." After a 14-year marriage, the couple divorced in 1968. Michael White’s first collector Lincoln Hepburn met her second husband, Italian psy- This short but interesting story was vintage car, viewing hundreds of potential chiatrist Andrea Dotti, on written by Michael White and features his choices in a few months. Nothing clicked a Mediterranean cruise adventures with his "dream car," a 1982 until I was at a show and overheard some- with friends in June 1968. Continental. Many of us, over the years, one discussing a 1982 Lincoln Continental. She believed she would have have had similar experiences with the "car The 1982 Continental represented some- more children and possibly that we have always wanted." Often, the thing of a new start for Lincoln. It was stop working. They married realization, for one reason or another, is not much smaller and lighter than anything on 18 January 1969, and as good as the anticipation, but in Michael's Lincoln had produced in recent years. their son Luca Andrea Dot- case, it was about as good as it gets. I would With the standard V-8 and gas-pressure ti was born on February 8, like to add that this story originally appeared shock absorbers, the car combined tradi- 1970. While pregnant with in issue 346 of Continental Comments. tional Lincoln comfort with just a touch of Luca in 1969, Hepburn was How does someone become a vin•tage sporty handling. The styling referenced the more careful, resting for car enthusiast? For me, it was simple - the Mark series with its spare tire hump while months before delivering cars I grew up with became "vintage," while the creased roofline paid homage to vin- the baby via caesarean sec- the vehicles of the present and future didn't tage Rolls-Royces. Looking closely, you tion. Both Dotti and Hep- interest me so much anymore. see a hint of the budding aero•dynamic burn were unfaithful, with It all began in 1984 when I became trend at Ford, which would reach full Dotti having affairs with fascinated with the Ford LTD that my fam- bloom in the Mark VII two years later. I ily rented for a road trip. I passed the miles younger women and Hep- immediately walked over to ask about it. It trying to spot others like it on the highway. burn having a romantic turned out the man's friend had one for I learned to identify a lot of cars on that sale on an online auction site. Within relationship with actor Ben trip and just kept doing so when I got hours, I called the seller, and the next day, Gazzara during the filming home. That led to collecting car ads, bro- I was at his garage looking over the car. of the movie Bloodline chures, and magazines. Before I knew it, I The Lincoln was neither a Designer edi• (1979). The Dotti-Hepburn was a certified car nut. On another trip that tion nor the Signature series. The only signif- marriage lasted thirteen winter, we rented a Lincoln Continental icant options were leather upholstery and years and was dissolved in Mark VII. Immediately, I knew that this car wire wheels. Although a 3.8 liter V-6 was 1982. was something special, and my love affair available, this car had the venerable 5.0 liter From 1980 until her with Lincoln began. V-8. Like all 1982 Continentals, it had a death, Hepburn was in a Fast forward about 20 years. I realized four-speed automatic transmission, first relationship with Dutch that my favorite cars of the '80s were with- offered by Ford just two years earlier. The actor Robert Wolders,[34] the in my grasp financially. I hesitated to buy gleaming exterior was finished in a subtle widower of actress Merle one because I thought it would be too dif- off-white shade called "Pastel French Va- Oberon. She had met ficult to maintain. In 2016, I started nilla." The digital dash had only three gaug- (Continued on page 14) searching online seriously for my own (Continued on page 14)

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(Continued from page 13) Wolders through a friend More 1982 Lincoln adventures during the later years of her second marriage. In (Continued from page 13) usually required the help of a more experi- 1989, she called the nine es (speed, fuel, and temperature) and a 12- enced car hobbyist. Sometime in January, years she had spent with button trip computer, all of which still the new battery failed. I knew something him the happiest years of functioned. Everything checked out, so I had to be done. Without a dedicated garage her life, and stated that she placed a bid for the car the next morn•ing. and little technical knowledge, wrenching it considered them married, Amazingly, nobody else bid on the car af- myself wasn't an option. I located a shop just not officially. ter that. I won the car later that day. I now that had a good reputation for carburetor Upon returning from had about a week to arrange storage, insur- work and waited several weeks until the salt Somalia to Switzerland in ance, and registration for it. I found a pri- was off the road before delivering it. Weeks vate garage for rent online. The state motor went by with little to no update. Toward the late September 1992, Hep- vehicle offices were closed on the Saturday end of April, I called with an early May burn began suffering from that I planned to pick up the car. It took 2017 deadline in mind. abdominal pain. While ini- visits to three "tag and title" shops to com- When I came to retrieve the car the tial medical tests in Swit- plete the necessary paperwork, leaving lit- first weekend of May, I learned that the zerland had inconclusive tle time to spare before picking the car up primary issue was gas leaking out around results, a laparoscopy per- at the seller's house. the edges of the carburetor. They had re- formed at the Cedars-Sinai built the carburetor, resolving the starting Medical Center in Los An- problem. It still ran rough, so they installed geles in early November a NOS variable venturi carburetor intended revealed a rare form of ab- for a full-size Ford. While the shop com• dominal cancer. Further pleted the mechanical work, I reassessed treatment was not possible. storage for the Lincoln. A few weeks after purchase, I moved it to a friend's garage on the outskirts of town. It then spent the win• Another view of Michael White’s 1982 ter in an underground parking garage. Nei- ther situation was ideal. In the spring, I I had visions of a triumphant first discovered a public storage facility 10 drive in the car, but the Lincoln struggled miles from home to take the Continental. to go much faster than 20 mph. I thought Although it would be much more ex- that there might be something catastrophi- pensive, I now had a dedicated garage with cally wrong with the vehicle. I soon real- easy access to my car. The car drove well Hepburn and her fami- ized that I needed to move the seat for- on the way to its new home. Since then, ly returned home to Swit- ward so my feet could fully reach the ped- the Continental has become the fun entry zerland to celebrate her als. Having never owned a carbureted car into the vintage Lincoln hobby that I had before, the whole routine of pumping the sought in 2016. It's still not as easy to start last Christmas. She spent gas and cranking the engine was new to as a modern fuel injected car, but I've her last days in hospice me. I knew there would be issues since the learned its rhythms and can usually get it care at her home in seller had mentioned a problem with get- started on my own in two or three minutes. Tolochenaz, Vaud and was ting gas into the bowls of the Lincoln's un- I drive it every week when I can, and I've occasionally well enough to conventional "variable venturi" carburetor. I mastered the art of maneuvering it into its take walks in her garden, eventually got the knack of starting it and narrow parking space. The Continental has but gradually became more drove the Continental on a local driving tour been to a few more shows and back to the confined to bedrest. within a month. Two-and-a-half months Delaware beach. Living with this car has On the evening of Janu- later, I drove it all the way from the Wash- involved some work, but it's been a labor ary 20, 1993, Hepburn died ington, DC area to the Delaware shore for a of love. The most important lesson that I in her sleep at home. show. learned from all of this is that you can't Hepburn's legacy has As the leaves turned and the weather wait for just the perfect moment to get endured long after her cooled, the car got harder to start. Before started collecting classic Lincolns or any- death. The American Film Thanksgiving 2016, I noticed the car wasn't thing else worthwhile for that matter. Take Institute named Hepburn cranking as eagerly as usual, so I spent the first step, and the rest will come. My third among the Greatest Black Friday acquiring and installing a new only regret is not doing so sooner. Female Stars of All Time. battery. As winter progressed, driving op- She is one of few entertain- portunities became more infrequent. Starting ers who have won Acade- the Lincoln now took several minutes and my, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Awards. 14 From the internet...

Preview of Coming Events

For 2021

June Our 12th annual Lincoln car show, Saturday, June 12, 2021 Bloomington Lincoln, Bloomington, Minnesota 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch will be served.

July Maple Grove Days Car Show 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, July 10. Meet for breakfast with your Lincoln club friends at 8 a.m.

Sunday Picnic, July 25, at Dave and Tammie Heeren’s Home, Lakeville, MN. Come at 12 Noon and enjoy a nice afternoon with friends. Lunch to be arranged. More details in the next issue of the Northstar News.

August Eighth Annual Lincoln Homecoming, August 12 -15, 2021 Hickory Corners, Michigan

September Our annual gathering at Morries Classic Cars. September 19, 2021 Still in the planning stage, we are planning on a catered meal and perhaps an auction to help defray the costs of the dinner. Look for full details about this event in future issues of our newsletter.

October LCOC Eastern National Meet, October 20-24, 2021. Full details on the LCOC website. Sunday Brunch, October 17 at Dehn’s County Manor, 11281 Fernbrook Lane North, Maple Grove at 11:30 a.m. Service will be provided off a special breakfast menu.

November Finish up 2021 with a Sunday brunch - November 6 at the Lowell Inn in beautiful downtown Stillwater. Be there at 11:30 a.m.

For Sale

1967 Continental Convertible Two owner car with only 85,000 miles. Ser- vice records since 1977. Arctic White with newer correct leather interior and ivory top. Always pampered and maintained with original 462 V8. Stainless steel exhaust and top mechanism works fine. Award winner in Touring/Original at 2012 and 2018 Mid-America National Meet. $39,000 Call Jon Cumpton at 612-859-1483.

BACK ISSUES OF THE NORTHSTAR NEWS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON THE NORTHSTAR LCOC WEB SITE. www.northstarlcoc.org Click on publications. Issues are in PDF format and may be printed on your color printer.

North Star Activities

All Lincoln Car Show - Saturday, June 12, 10 am - 2 pm

At Bloomington Lincoln 1001 Clover Drive, Bloomington, Minnesota

Just South of Hwy 494 and Just East of Hwy 35 South. Join us for our North Star June car show. Bring your favorite Lincoln, old or new and plan to spend a nice summer day visiting with many of your old friends and making some new ones, too.

All Lincolns are welcome, regardless of age or condition. We will even be glad to see a Mercury or two. We are an equal opportunity Lincoln Club. Lunch is planned and the Northstar club will be furnishing dash plaques and door prizes. Invite anyone you know who owns a Lincoln to join us at this show.

For Sale - 1983 Continental Mark VI

Original Gold and Cream paint. A Kentucky car that has always been garaged kept. Never driven during winter. Very solid body, no rust any- where.

Features the very smooth running 5 liter fuel injected V8. Will do 23 mpg on the highway. Has all the usual Lincoln extras, keyless entry, analog gages, excellent leather seating, AOD transmission. New battery, new fuel pump, new fuel tank, new TRW coil springs, shocks, tires and lots of other good stuff too. Please call for more details. 93,600 miles. This is an extremely well cared for Mark VI. Open to offers near $7,000. Call Marlin at 763.452.0390 email: [email protected]

For Sale 1979 Lincoln Mark V

Shows under 37,000 miles, two-owner car.

Diamond Blue metallic paint, rare color for 1979. Matching blue leather interior. Has moon roof and all other accessories Lincoln offered in 1979. Always garaged, never driven in winter. A great car for either touring or showing.

No dings, dents or scrapes. Have all maintenance records and factory manuals. Fair- ly priced at $14,500/best offer. Call Maxine at 320-269-7547 Minnesota.