The Lincoln Continental Coronation Coupe. Bumper bars on
the the trailing edge of the rear quarter were removed, as were the reflectors.
Town car appearance is emphasized reducing the size of the rear window and filling
in the side window area completely.
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THE CHICAGO firm of coach builders whose customized conversions have transported
presidents, potentates, the Pope and other People in High Places has done it again.
Lehmann-Peterson Inc. has built the Coronation Coupe, a new example of classic
coachwork and contemporary design which is doing the rounds of the auto show circuit
this year. This idea car was designed from a Lincoln Continental Coupe by Ford Motor
Company stylists. Lehmann-Peterson has been specializing in building the Lincoln Continental
Executive Limousine, converting the four-door sedans into a luxury limousine just over 21 feet long.
Building a one-of-a-kind show car or specialty car is the kind of customizing and conversion
work which the skilled craftsmen at such shops welcome as a diversion and a challenge.
The vehicle came to them as a spanking new two-door hardtop coupe model introduced by
Lincoln Continental this year and fresh from the factory at Wixom, Michigan.
First thing Lehmann-Peterson did was strip it inside and out as a car never was stripped
by operators like Moonlight Auto Parts and their kind. Working under the guidance of
Ford Motor Company stylists, who provided sketches, the coachbuilders first sent the
seats, cushions and interior trim panels to their upholstery group where an entirely new
interior was created. Then, working with the stripped car, the body men began the two major
styling innovations which gave further emphasis to its formal and elegant appearance.
A broad band of genuine walnut veneer was applied the full length of the body just above
the rocker panel, and the rear quarter was enclosed completely with a padded vinyl section
replacing the customary quarter window.
Here's how a show car is customized as pictured
at Lehmann-Peterson.
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Redesigned grille is installed by Mervin Culver, left, and
Bill Leahy, right. The addition of 12 vertical bars to the standard
horizontal grille treatment gives a checkered effect. The vertical
bars were "fish-mouthed", press fitted into place and welded.
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Taking final measurements
for the walnut veneer molding on the
special show car. The 10-inch strip runs
the length of the car and is bordered by
a chrome molding on top and a stainless
steel rocker molding on the bottom.
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Working from stylist's renderings, Culver measures
fitting of sheet metal insert for enlarged rear quarter window area,
which gives a closed limousine effect.
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The ultimate in interior luxury, silk brocade seats in combination
with leather, and thick mouton carpeting and all in virtual rear seat privacy.
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