Volume 19 Issue 6 June 1, 2019 The 1958 - 1960 Lincolns, Interesting Automobiles A totally different Lincoln from the ones who came before it. Experiencing a shortage of articles from our members, we went back into the archives of Continental Comments for an interesting article; which you might enjoy. Lincoln models 1958 through 1960 were both interesting from a mechanical and stylistic standpoint. A lot of folks were not quite sure if the new look of these models was something that they would really like over a period of time. Compared to the 1956 and 1957 models, they really were quite different. Boxier and somewhat larger by most measurements. Now some 60 years later, they are sort of coming into their own. Nice examples will bring a lot of money today, especially if they are convertibles. We have several of these models owned by North Star club members, and they do speak quite highly of them. This article was written by Tim Howley and appeared in the July August 2002 issue of Conti- nental Comments. It is an interesting story, and it looks at these models in a fairly object fashion. Welcome to the We hope you enjoy reading it. Northstar News, the The late Fifties is a fascinating era in automobile styling. It produced the ultimate in ba- roque automobile architecture, especially in the biggest American cars. We think of the 1959 monthly publication of Cadillac and 1957-59 Imperial as being the most interesting examples. But when you set the Northstar Region them alongside the 1958 Lincoln, and to a degree the 1959 and 1960 versions, they don't even of the Lincoln and begin to compare in terms of uniqueness of design. The 1958 Lincoln has been called the "Slant-eyed Oriental Monster," the "Pink Pagoda Lincoln," a Brontosaurus" by the late Alex Continental Owners Tremulis, "Cleopatra' s barge," and even worse. Club. We value your What makes this car so unique and collectible today is that it is the largest unitized car opinions and appreciate ever built, and it is totally novel in almost every other respect. Coming right after the beautiful 1956 Lincoln Premiere and the classic 1956-57 Continental, the 1958 Lincoln is a your input concerning "puzzlement," as Yul Brynner used to say. To understand this docile dragon, you have to un- this newsletter and the derstand how the Ford Motor Company was thinking in its highest ivory towers at that time. operation of the club. In 1955, there was a popular belief in Detroit that unitized was the wave of the future. Unit- ized construction was nothing new in America. The Chrysler-Airflow and the Lincoln-Zephyr This is your club. (Continued on page 4) 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 2019 Internet Gentle Readers…. In some ways, I am coln’s best-seller. It is a beautifully appointed glad that May is over. Weather wise, how car and is available with a lot of new features much worse can it get. Few days this past that most people want. If you like the looks of month were above average, much of our be- the MKX/Nautilus and the Navigator, you loved state had snow, and more than just a light surely will love the Aviator; it is the right size dusting. The rest of us had to contend with for a large majority of buyers. Lincoln really wind, cold, and rain. For a while, I even does make some fine cars; the trick is how do thought we might get a you get people to come visit from the four horse- to the dealership for a men. test drive and price one It is Memorial Day, out. Lincoln is a good old and we had rain all day. American brand, and we Even Sweet Olga didn’t should support our want to go outside to do American car companies the kind of things that when we can. Lincoln dogs must do on occasion has always been for Tim Conway during the course of a “Those who take the road America’s Funnyman day. I have a large um- less traveled,” and some- brella, so I didn’t too wet, times that is a good road Thomas Daniel but Olga came back in to travel. You could be in good company. "Tim" Conway with me smelling like a wet dog. Sweet Olga is checking out 66 years of With that in mind, (December 15, 1933 – We had two very fine Continental Comments, a complete collec- we would like to suggest May 14, 2019) was an days this past weekend. tion from the very first issue to the most that if you are in need of American comedic ac- Saturday was our annual current ones. Olga and her dad traveled a new Lincoln, please tor, writer, and direc- North Star car show. It down to Ames, Iowa this past Sunday to consider stopping by tor. He portrayed the was held at Bloomington pick them up from George Darnell. They Lincoln of Bloomington. inept Ensign Parker in Lincoln, and the kind will eventually find their way to Jeff Our friend, Ryan Ben- ning, will do his very the 1960s World War folks there just went way Shively, Editor of Continental Comments, out to welcome us there. for use as historical source documents. best to help you pick out II situation com- They cooked up a nice the right model that best edy McHale's Navy, lunch; which included hamburgers and hot suits your needs. They are real car people and was a regular cast dogs. The burgers were grilled to perfection like to do the best they can to make sure their member on the 1970s and were the very best. Our host, Ryan Ben- customers are well cared for. variety and sketch com- ning really did his best, and we all thank Bob Johnson and I are really excited. We edy program The Carol Bloomington Lincoln for their fine hospitality. picked up four new members in May. This is Ryan’s family stopped by to look at the older great news for the club. All interesting folks Burnett Show, co- Lincolns, and his two daughters were some- and we look forward to learning more about starred with Don what taken with Olga. Olga loves car shows as them in an upcoming Welcome Wagon feature Knotts in several films she gets to meet some of the very best people article. One new member is a young fellow in the late 1970s and who keep telling her what a nice girl she is. We from the St. Cloud area; who came down to our early 1980s. Conway had several new folks show up, and we also Blooming Lincoln show with his 2005 Lincoln was born had a few new Lincolns make the show. Lots LS. It sports a black finish that is virtually per- in Willoughby, Ohio, a of people had fun visiting with one another. fect. The car looks as though it was just deliv- The best part of our club is the socialization ered by the dealer. I don’t remember seeing an suburb of Cleveland, that we have with our members. There were a LS in that good condition. And it runs as well and grew up in number of visitors that just came by to check as it looks. In a competitive Lincoln show, it nearby Chagrin out the great looking cars. We had a nice selec- should do very well. We are all going to do our Falls. He was tion from the various decades. And we even best to bring in some new members this month, of Irish descent on his had a return visitor from last year, who was and help grow the Lincoln and Continental father's side driving a very neat 1940 maroon Ford coupe. Owners Club a little. It is a little like the “Field and Romanian on his Such a sweet car. of Dreams,” if we build it, they will come. Earlier in May, I was invited down to Only with the Lincoln Club…If we have fun, mother's. Bloomington Lincoln to check out the new they will come. Lets try it and see what hap- Conway at- Aviator. They had one on display for one day. pens. tended Bowling Green This should be a great car for Lincoln. It is Till next month, David and Sweet Olga, State Univer- sized in between the MKX/Nautilus and the the Samoyed. (Continued on page 3) Navigator. This most likely to become Lin- 2 NORTHSTAR NEWS (Continued from page 2) sity in Bowling Green, Directors Message by Bob Johnson June 2019 Ohio, where he majored in On Thursday, May 16, it was finally warm enough to television and radio and put the top down on our Mark VII and try to enjoy a cool was a disc jockey] and spring ride. On the same day after checking the weather it member of the Phi Delta was decided to cancel our Saturday, May 19, event at Jeff Theta Fraternity. When Eisenberg’s facility and the ART A WHIRL, on Central he graduated, Conway Avenue. I believe we made the right choice as we had enlisted in the United over 3 inches of rain over the weekend. States Army, where he I hope you were able to attend our 11th Annual Me- served between 1956–1958. morial Day weekend Lincoln car show at Lincoln of After his discharge Bloomington, in Bloomington, Minnesota, Saturday, May from the Army, Conway 25.