The SEMA Show has always been one of the biggest platforms for showcasing the finest works and ideas of car designers, developers, builders, and racers. SEMA participants are always eager to unveil unique masterpieces that highlight the modern approaches to tuning and rebuilding the most iconic automobiles in the world. One of such extraordinary projects presented at the SEMA 2025 is a custom resto mod of the 1956 Lincoln Continental created by Chip Foose and his team from the Foose Design workshop. The restored vehicle was unveiled at the BluePrint Engines booth in Hall Center and gathered a considerable amount of attention due to its beautiful proportions and numerous improvements.

While Foose and his team prepared the car to be showcased at the SEMA, they concentrated mostly on the vehicle’s custom body, interior, and powertrain to make it worthy of the event. Foose Design crew managed to create a masterpiece that highlights the original essence of the classic luxury coupe while adding several modifications that upgraded the car’s personalization to new levels. This custom resto mod of the 1956 Lincoln Continental became a true symbol of the perfect balance between traditional restoration and the modern approach and attracted the attention of many auto lovers.

1. Reimagining the 1956 Lincoln Continental

The legendary 1956 Lincoln Continental was one of the most luxurious cars in America. This magnificent coupe was famous for its beautiful lines, big size, and unique hardtop design. Instead of being restored to the original factory specifications, the 1956 Lincoln Continental was given a fresh look and turned into the ultimate personal luxury vehicle. Its factory roof was removed, while all the details were adjusted to maximize comfort, performance, and style. This custom resto mod project was much more than just the body conversion, which required a thorough approach to keep the car’s excellent balance.

Key Design Transformation:

• Classic coupe reimagined beautifully
• Factory roof completely removed
• Elegant convertible body conversion
• Structural strength carefully reinforced
• Heritage preserved with innovation

All modifications made to restore the car and convert it into the ultimate personal luxury vehicle speak volumes about the high-quality mechanical and bodywork improvements. The original factory specifications were modified to create a car, which would offer the best of both worlds the comfort of a luxury coupe and the style of a convertible. The car’s new appearance shows the best in performance, style, and beauty, while all the major structural aspects stayed as close to the original as possible.

The custom resto mod project transformed the Lincoln Continental into a low-slung luxury car with a more athletic and elegant appearance. Despite being lighter, narrower, and lower, the restored car still resembles the legendary 1956 Lincoln. Instead of overshadowing the original design, the new look emphasized the beauty of the long tail and the Continental’s status as a luxurious icon of the American automotive industry.

2. Extensive Custom Bodywork

Converting the 1956 Lincoln Continental into a convertible gave Chip Foose and his team a great opportunity to reshape the car’s exterior and give it a unique look. Foose Design team took great care to refine the car’s major exterior elements so that it would match the new dimensions and overall appearance. The custom body modification focused on maximizing the car’s beauty while keeping its historical significance. All the changes were made to give the Lincoln Continental a cleaner, more elegant appearance with a fresh look.

Major Exterior Enhancements:

• Refined front-end body panels
• Custom low mounted headlights
• Rear fascia with modified tail lights
• Revised side molding and door opening
• Period-correct Ford truck door handles

On the front end, the headlights were moved lower and farther back to achieve a more modern and sporty look. On the hood, extensive modifications were made to shape it better and make the front end wider. The traditional Lincoln front grille was replaced to allow the exquisite handcrafted front-end panel to take center stage, which in turn created a more harmonious look. Similar changes were made to the side panels, which allowed to reshape the car’s waist and eliminate the overblown appearance associated with large cars of the 1950s.

On the side panels, Foose Design team reshaped the door opening and made adjustments to the molding so that it would match the new profile of the car. The period-correct Ford truck door handles were also added to the design to refine the appearance and emphasize the connection between this Lincoln and other Fords of that era. Together, these modifications created a unique look and a better balance that maximized the car’s elegance within the framework of the traditional design.

3. Handcrafted Exterior Details

The custom 1956 Lincoln Continental received numerous handcrafted details to give it an exquisite and personalized touch. Chip Foose and his team developed several unique solutions and modified multiple exterior elements to ensure seamless integration with the car’s new proportions and design. All the modifications were made to accentuate the custom bodywork and give the restored car a more elegant and luxurious appearance. Handcrafted detailing allowed to raise the bar in luxury, while the careful approach to modification kept the original design integrity.

Custom Exterior Craftsmanship:

• One-off custom body moldings
• Reshaped chrome front bumpers
• Redesigned rear deck lid
• Lowered signature spare hump
• Seamless handcrafted trim integration

Foose Design introduced several custom body moldings and lower rocker trim, which were exclusive to this particular conversion. As a result, the car received a unique and distinctive appearance that emphasized the modification and fit seamlessly into the new design. Foose team also modified the front and rear bumpers so that they would match the new dimensions of the converted car. The chrome bumpers were reshaped to narrow the front and rear ends of the car which, in turn, maximized the elegance of the handcrafted details and the precision of the metalwork.

Several modifications were also made to the car’s rear end to fine-tune the design and give it a more elegant appearance. First of all, the deck lid opening was re-shaped to fit the new convertible design. The distinctive spare hump of the original Lincoln Continental was also lowered by three inches to achieve a more balanced and harmonious look. By carefully adjusting the details on the car’s rear end, Chip Foose managed to create a beautiful and eye-catching design that maximized the elegance of the custom resto mod project.

4. Custom Paint That Highlights Every Detail

After completing all the major body modifications, Foose Design team proceeded to painting the car so that all the exquisite details and unique handcrafted surfaces were highlighted. To achieve the desired effect, the team ordered a custom-painted BASF lacquer mixture from Steve DeMan, which allowed to emphasize the beauty of the car while keeping the elegant and sophisticated look. Unlike some other SEMA entries featuring bright colors and bold designs, this custom bodywork received a carefully selected paint, which maximized the visual appeal of the car without overshadowing its intricate detailing.

Premium Paint Features:

• Custom BASF Lacquer mixture
• Showcased the exquisite detail
• Accentuated the elegant proportions
• Enhanced the beauty of the car’s body panel fit
• Sophisticated timeless look

The custom paint made the low-slung look of the car even more prominent while also emphasizing the elegant proportions of the converted Continental. The exquisite detail of the panel fit, which was carefully polished and prepared, was especially well-accentuated by the special paint. As a result, every reflection in the custom-painted body of the car highlighted the extensive body modifications and the exquisite handcrafted detailing that required hundreds of hours of work to complete.

Instead of going for a bold and bright color to draw more attention to the car, the Foose design team decided to create a sophisticated look. By doing so, they maximized the visual appeal of the restored car, making sure that all the fine details got the required attention and remained in the spotlight. The unique paint job completed the custom resto mod project, highlighting the meticulous detailing and exquisite modification so that they could become a true centerpiece of this legendary automobile.

5. A Luxury Interior With Modern Craftsmanship

Opening up the doors of this custom 1956 Lincoln Continental reveals an interior that successfully balances out timelessness with modernity. The cabin was completely refinished by Bill Dunn Interiors, using fine olive green and eggshell white leather for the seats, door panels and surrounding surfaces. Every interior detail was carefully chosen and implemented to give the Lincoln’s cabin a special blend of traditional luxury and modern sophistication. All of these improvements make for an elegant interior that goes well with the car’s exquisite handcrafted exterior and provides the occupants with the ultimate comfort.

Interior Highlights:

• Premium leather upholstery throughout
• Custom green-backed instrument gauges
• Refined vintage-inspired dashboard layout
• Integrated Thunderbird rear seating
• Elegant handcrafted cabin finish

The vintage appeal of the Continental is continued in the custom green instrument cluster that was specially created to match the car’s paintwork and leather upholstery. Unlike the factory dashboard, the new cluster was created using modern technology and materials to give the driver and front-seat passenger an improved view of the instruments while maintaining the classic aesthetic. Every detail of the cabin was carefully considered to ensure the driver’s comfort and satisfaction behind the wheel of this rare custom car.

Another special detail about this car’s cabin is the completely integrated rear seat from the 1964 Ford Thunderbird. The rear seat was custom-modified to ensure the best possible comfort for the car’s occupants while also providing a good blend of traditional and modern appeal. This unique modification along with the other numerous finishing touches demonstrate the incredible work performed by the restomod team to create this special automobile.

6. Modern V8 Under the Hood

While the handmade exterior of the custom 1956 Lincoln Continental certainly draws attention, the real star of the show is hidden under the hood. The factory engine was replaced by Chip Foose with a 376 cubic inch (6.2L) BluePrint Engines LS-based Pro Series V8 that produces a monstrous 530 horsepower. This powerful yet reliable modern engine perfectly fits the brief of the restomod project, being both a massive improvement over the stock 368 cubic inch Lincoln V8 while also not outright overpowering the luxurious body of the Continental. Combined with the wide range of other modifications performed by the restomod team, this massive powerplant creates an impressive blend of modern performance and classic comfort.

Modern Engine Highlights:

• BluePrint 6.2-liter V8 engine
• Delivers 530 horsepower output
• Modern LS-compatible powertrain
• Enhanced acceleration and performance
• Reliable contemporary engineering solution

Compared to the factory engine, the new BluePrint V8 produces nearly double the amount of horsepower and torque, allowing the car to accelerate with much more power and speed while also being significantly more reliable and efficient than the stock 368 cubic inch engine. This immense performance increase enables the modified Lincoln to accelerate with the power of a modern sports car while also retaining the comfort and elegance of a vintage luxury vehicle.

While the decision to use an LS engine certainly drew some criticism from traditional Ford fans, the choice to retrofit the Lincoln with a modern powerplant was the right one in this case. By installing the 6.2L BluePrint V8 under the hood of the Continental, Chip Foose managed to achieve the primary goal of the restomod project to preserve the car’s factory appearance while also providing it with the increased levels of performance and reliability offered by modern automotive technology.

7. Blending Vintage Style with Modern Engineering 

Perhaps the most impressive part of this custom 1956 Lincoln Continental is the way in which the modifications were made without overshadowing the car’s vintage appeal. In order to ensure the factory appearance of the car was preserved while also upgrading its mechanicals, Chip Foose and his team made sure that the newly installed engine was hidden under the hood. The new engine was placed in the factory engine bay in such a way that allowed it to be concealed but still utilized to its maximum potential. Similar considerations were made when it came to the other mechanical and technical components of the car in order to ensure that the modifications made would significantly improve the car’s performance, comfort and reliability without destroying its vintage appearance.

Engineering Integration Highlights:

• Stock engine bay appearance
• Modern V8 hidden under the hood
• Careful component placement
• All stainless-steel exhaust system
• Vintage style meets performance

In terms of appearance, the BluePrint V8 was fitted with a set of stock-style air cleaners and valve covers in order to ensure optimal factory appearance. The careful placement of every component in the engine bay created a tidy appearance that concealed the massive performance gains provided by the new powerplant. When it came to the exhaust system, the MagnaFlow all-steel construction with mandrel bent pipes was installed in order to provide the best possible sound while also keeping the emissions under control. All of these modifications made to the engine bay and exhaust system of the custom Lincoln Continental highlight the incredible skill and experience of the restomod team that was able to seamlessly blend out modern performance and reliability while preserving the car’s vintage charm.

8. Upgraded Suspension and Brakes

Having installed the massive and powerful engine, the team at Chip Foose Performance had to modify the suspension and brakes of the Lincoln to be able to control the car and stop it in a reasonable distance. Thus, Chip and his assistants made several changes to the suspension in order to improve the handling capabilities of the modified 1956 Lincoln Continental without destroying its luxury comfort. In addition, they upgraded the braking system of the car. All the modifications made to the custom Lincoln resulted in a combination of a powerful machine’s agility and the comfort of a luxury vehicle.

Chassis Performance Upgrades:

• Revised front suspension geometry
• Lowered car’s front end
• Installation of rear lowering blocks
• Modern four-wheel disc brakes
• Much better handling and stability

The front end of the car was revised in terms of spindle geometry in order to make it more stable and confident on the road. In addition, the changes made to the spindle location allowed the team to lower the front end of the modified Continental. The rear suspension was modified by installing lowering blocks which enabled the car’s rear end to be lowered as well, thus, improving the aesthetics of the modified vintage automobile. All the changes made to the chassis of the custom Lincoln were made to achieve a confident driving experience while maintaining the comfort expected from a luxury vehicle.

As for the modifications made to the braking system of the modified Lincoln, the team at Chip Foose Performance decided to install a modern four-wheel disc brake system. The disc brakes allowed the occupants of the car to enjoy the power of the modern V8 engine, while stopping the mighty machine within a reasonable distance, thus, securing their personal safety. Overall, the changes made to the suspension and brake systems of the custom 1956 Lincoln Continental improved the driving dynamics of the modified vehicle.

9. Final Details That Polish the Build

Each customization project has its final stage during which the last details that bring the build to a new level are installed. The custom 1956 Lincoln Continental is not an exception, as there were quite a number of finishing touches that had to be made in order to complete the customization project and bring all the modifications made to the car together. The modifications made to the exterior of the car were aimed at maximizing its elegance and luxury. In order to achieve the desired result, Chip Foose and his team members had to choose a set of details that would accentuate the look of the modified vehicle without making it too extravagant.

Finishing Design Elements:

• Custom multi-spoke chrome wheels
• Period-inspired white-striped tires
• Elegant luxury styling balance
• Coordinated exterior finishing details
• Refined handcrafted visual package

The custom Lincoln rides on a set of custom multi-spoke chrome wheels that had to be specially made for the project. In addition, the wheels had to be matched with the set of custom white striped period correct tires that would allow the occupants of the car to enjoy the comfort of a luxury vehicle while maintaining the appeal of the vintage automobile. The appearance of the modified Lincoln was finished with an array of high-quality detailing finishes that maximized the luxury style of the car without destroying its overall balance. Thus, all the finishing touches made to the custom 1956 Lincoln Continental maximized the luxury appeal of the car, bringing out its handcrafted details, as well as the beauty of its custom paintjob.

Many customization projects try to draw attention to their modifications by making the build too extravagant. However, the custom 1956 Lincoln Continentals seem to rely on the unique handcrafted appeal of the vehicle in order to attract admiring looks. The unique approach, as well as the numerous other details that have to be mentioned when talking about the final stage of the customization project, bring the build to a new level, allowing the occupants of the modified car to enjoy its exquisite appearance.

10. A Restomod That Honors Heritage 

The custom 1956 Lincoln Continental is the result of a hardworking team that tried to do its best to create a build that would maximize the luxury appeal of the vintage automobile while providing its occupants with unparalleled driving comfort and performance. According to Chip Foose himself, who unveiled the custom car, all the modifications made to the vehicle were done to celebrate the legacy the brand holds. Thus, the team at Chip Foose Performance made sure to preserve the initial design of the car, as well as to provide the occupants of the modified vehicle with the best possible driving experience. All the changes made to the body, as well as the paintjob, chrome accents, and the luxurious interior of the custom Lincoln were made to create a build that would keep celebrating the legacy of the Lincoln brand for years to come. By looking at the final appearance of the modified car, one can understand how all the hard work put into the customization project paid off.

Legacy and Innovation:

• Heritage-inspired custom craftsmanship
• Modern engineering meets tradition
• Collaborative restomod development
• Timeless luxury thoughtfully reimagined
• Celebrates classic American design

When talking about the inspiration for the build, Chip Foose mentioned that he and his team tried to honor the legacy of the Lincoln brand by making sure that all the modifications made to the car would keep its traditional appeal. BluePrint Engines founder and CEO Norris Marshall also talked about the unique opportunity the team had to collaborate to create a build that would really challenge the customization and modification industry. Altogether, the team behind the custom 1956 Lincoln Continental tried to create a build that would provide the occupants of the vehicle with the best possible driving experience that would last for decades.