I'd hold off on that immigration sponsorship. The fact that all these standards are being applied rectroactively to a 1949 car is asinine.

Congratulations on perservering through the process.

looks like it has the color tone interior trim (dash painted, colored plastic) which was in my opinion an attractive option. be aware that some parts interchange between 110-120-160(swb) - the crew here can help with specifics.

sorry anglophiles, but I'm not a fan of badge bars - sort of a charm bracelet for cars. I'm pretty sure West will have my back on this.

automotive diagnosis is loose nut behiind the steering wheel

in case you needed it after the XLR and CTS coupe, further proof that Cadillac stylists have no sense of proportion

roof changes out of the budget! Think of the Clipper - bathtub. The main section (cowl-roof-door openings-floor pan) needs to stay common to save money. The C-pillar look can be changed with an add on piece, but the same structure is underneath. Cadillac and Imperial were still on light pillars, T-Bird/Lincoln not. Later most people went to formal heavy c-pillar. I think after the 58 Mercury, the next rebody is too much a Ford and not enough a Lincoln to share

I don't think you can go cost no object on the fittings- otherwise you end up with a Continental Mk II - 10k$, few sales and loosing money on every one.

I like the Chrysler-based approach because the drive train is I feel superior to Ford's, but I agree that Ford's styling (some Packard people did go to Ford)is more compatible.

have to have 2 differences of opinion - I think the 25% over Lincoln premise is rapid market death. Competitive with Cadillac's equivalent model.

The last Mercury-based one looks like a Ford (as the Mercury does) - not a luxury car. The leading edge of the headlights/fenders is very soft, no tension in the line. I'm biased becaused I never liked the styling of that car.

I think the full length trim from 55/56 is a styling theme that is very adaptable and gives the car a longer and smoother look. The long color stripe idea was used on Chevy for a while. In the tooling budget ,a different hood from the "donor" to carry back whatever grill shoulders exist is a priority (and not too difficule as it's not a deep draw.

If there's a desire to disguise the shared shell, C pillar skin changes over the same structure are also easy.

assume you mean the part low on the door. Try Sandy Chirco, Tuscon Packard. It's the same on 2-dr fastbacks and convertibles.

cleaning up the Merc's mish-mash of side lines helps. For the 400, how about stainless roof panels above the doors like Imperial used. An echo of the Predictor's tambours

mules/prototypes being scrapped has I think to do with the tax laws. they are exempt from taxes on saleable vehicles but must be destroyed to prevent their sale.