To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$60,000 - $80,000
- Multi-award winner at National Lincoln Continental meets
- Cosmetically restored by Hatfield Restorations
- One of 2,550 Continental Mark IIs produced for 1956
- The ultimate American luxury car of the time
The Continental Mark II made its debut in 1956 featuring luxurious
styling and an incredible $10,000 price tag, making it one of the
most expensive cars in the world. Ford hoped the price would
increase the car's status as a premier luxury vehicle. Despite the
hefty price tag, it is rumored Ford lost money on each car.
Production was short lived for the Mark II, running only through
the 1957 model year. For 1956 Lincoln produced only 2,550 examples
of their Continental Mark II.
This Mark II was sold new in Wichita Falls, Texas. The car left the
factory with optional air conditioning in addition to the standard
power windows, seat, steering, and brakes. It spent most of its
life in West Texas. In the early 2000s, the car was cosmetically
restored by Hatfield Restorations in Canton, Texas. The Continental
was repainted with an exact match to the original color, while the
original interior upholstery and carpet were removed, cleaned,
re-dyed where needed, and re-installed. Likewise, the trunk carpet
was removed, cleaned, re-dyed, and re-installed. The headliner was
virtually perfect and was left as-is. Due to age and cracking, the
leather on the front and rear seats was replaced with a correct
match acquired from Keleen Leathers. The front and rear bumpers
were also re-chromed. The 368-cu. in. V-8 engine and three-speed
automatic transmission were removed, cleaned, detailed, and painted
as needed, then reinstalled with new hoses, belts, and hardware.
The undercarriage was cleaned and painted where needed.
This Continental Mark II has been shown at three National
Lincoln-Continental meets. At the first, the car won 1st Primary
trophy; at the second the car won Best of Show Primary Division,
Lincoln-Ford Trophy; and at the third meet the car won Best of Show
Senior Division, William Clay Ford Trophy scoring 99.5 points out
of 100.
The Continental Mark II stands out among the very best American
luxury cars every produced. With its low production numbers,
show-quality examples such as this remain highly sought after among
those fastidious collectors.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
