For two years, 1956 and 1957, the ultra-luxurious Continental Mark II was sold at Lincoln dealers, not as a Lincoln but as a standalone halo division for Ford Motor Co. The hand-built coupe was designed to emulate the great coachbuilders of Europe.
The Pick of the Day is a 1956 Continental Mark II sport coupe, a fresh-looking survivor that was cosmetically restored and showing 64,000 miles on its odometer.
The Lakeland, Florida, dealer advertising the Continental on ClassicCars.com describes it as a “wonderful driving car (with) original drive train.” The car is powered by the factory 368cid V8 and automatic transmission, and a newly replaced dual exhaust system as original, the seller says.
The dealer offers to sell the car as-is or with addition restoration, such as replacing the blue-leather seats.
“This car has had a very nice dual-stage repaint in factory Powder Blue,” the seller says. “Most of the chrome looks original including the bumpers. Original two-tone Blue leather seat upholstery. Original door panels, carpet, headliner and dash.
“We can include a new interior as part of the purchase.”
The Continental Mark IIs were loaded with advanced features of the day, with power steering, brakes and accessories, a Town and Country AM radio and a tachometer, which was a rare and sporty addition for a luxury car at that time.
The beautiful body styling came from Ford’s in-house Special Products Division, led by illustrious designers John Reinhart and Gordon Buehrig. While most American luxury cars of the era were slathered with chrome, including the interiors, the Continental was relatively understated in the style of European design, but with all-American power, proportions and features in the elegant package.
Only a few thousand Continentals were sold, most likely because of their startling high prices, and they remain exclusive collector cars. The asking price of $57,500 seems steep, according to the various price guides, but these are special cars of the mid-’50s, and there are collectors who would pay extra for a nice one in such original condition.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day
There is no such thing as a 58 Continental Mark III in terms of the picture shown. The car shown is a 56 or 57. Egregious error here!
That’s a new one. I thought the Mk11 style body was finished in 1957. How many Mk111’s were made in 1958? The only Mk 111 I was aware of was the 70-71 Lincoln model.
Paul
Why do people insist on calling these magnificent cars “Lincoln” ?
They were made by the Continental division of Ford Motor Co. They were not a Lincoln. I really expect better from you folks, of all people. Thanks.
Wow, this is a huge blow it!
The car shown is a `56 or `57 Continental MKII. In `58 the Lincoln division was re-organized (once again) and a new Lincoln Continental MKIII was created, completely different from this car. The MKII was body on frame whereas the MKIII (as well as its sister models Premier and Capri) would go down in history as the largest unit body production cars ever made. The `58 MKIII could be had as convertible, coupe and four door sedan.
The use of the word original is misleading. The Continental Mark !! definitely appears in great shape for a 63 year old vehicle. Being repainted does change the description to less than or like original.
The Mark series numbers !!!, IV and V were repeated starting in 1968 with the Mark III . There is also a Mark IV and Mark V Town Car (1959 and 1960) with the formal roofline, one of which I have had for many years.
Not only is this not a ’58, it’s not a Lincoln or a Mark III. The Continental Mark II was produced and sold by the Continental Division of Ford Motor Company in 1956 and 57.
A s already stated this is completely erroneous, the dealer clearly knows little about the car he us selling. The 58 Continental Mk111 was an inferior product, unlike this classic 56/7 Mk11.
My apologies, folks. I was led astray by the dealer’s original ad, which has since been changed. I have rewritten the item to reflect the correct information about this car, which is indeed a Continental before the nameplate was brought into the Lincoln brand in 1958. The ’58 was a totally different car.
Good show, Bob.
Not your fault.
You don’t have to sit in the corner anymore.
Lighten up, folks!
i love cars
Whatever year and model it is lol it’s pretty cool, would like to own it , But not at that price.