Chip Foose, one of the most recognizable names in custom car design, returned to the SEMA Show with a build that’s both breathtaking and bound to ruffle a few feathers. His company, Chip Foose Designs, unveiled a 1956 Lincoln Continental restomod that blends meticulous craftsmanship with controversial mechanical choices — most notably, a Chevrolet-based LS powerplant beneath the hood.
Originally a fixed-roof luxury coupe, the 1956 Continental was never offered as a convertible. Foose’s team solved that by slicing off the top and reinforcing the body, transforming it into a sleek, low-slung cruiser. The reimagined design smooths the factory lines, reshapes the hood with subtle curvature, and replaces the signature Lincoln emblem with a cleaner nose. Chrome bumpers frame both ends, and the car’s proportions have been refined with understated precision. Even the trunk’s signature spare-tire bulge has been lowered three inches for better flow.
Inside, the cabin maintains a period-correct look with custom olive green and eggshell white leather upholstery, accented by green-backed gauges to match the exterior. The rear seat comes from a 1964 Ford Thunderbird, seamlessly integrated into the Continental’s luxurious interior.
The controversy lies in what powers it. Instead of a Ford V8, Foose chose a 376-cubic-inch (6.2-liter) BluePrint LS-compatible engine producing 530 horsepower — nearly double the output of the original 368-cubic-inch Lincoln V8. The car’s suspension was modified with reworked spindles and lowering blocks, while modern four-wheel disc brakes help manage the added performance. Custom multi-spoke chrome wheels complete the build’s modernized stance.
Though Ford purists may cringe at the GM-derived engine, the craftsmanship and balance between heritage and innovation make Foose’s Continental one of the standout vehicles at SEMA 2025. It’s a reimagined piece of American luxury — bold, elegant, and unmistakably Foose.
Via BluePrint Engines
