To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVEEstimate:
$55,000 - $80,000
- Only 6,403 actual miles
- Original, unrestored, and in remarkable condition
- The largest and most flamboyant American convertible of its
era
- Accompanied by owner's manual
With only 3,048 built and very few having survived, any Continental
Mark III convertible is a rarity. Especially remarkable is the car
offered here, which is one of the finest original, unrestored
examples remaining in existence. According to a 1984 advertisement,
it had remained in storage since 1958, having been driven only
5,800 original miles. A year later, longtime Southern California
enthusiast Gilbert Zimmerman followed up on the advertisement and,
finding the car still in excellent condition, purchased it from
dealer John Farrell of Seattle. It quickly became one of the
Zimmerman family's favorite cars, lovingly dubbed "Battlestar
Galactica."
The car resided in the Zimmerman collection until 2008, when it was
acquired by Dennis Mitosinka with 6,381 actual miles. At the time
of cataloguing it recorded 6,403 actual miles, and it remains in
remarkable order.
The factory Silver Poly paint remains largely unmarked, aside from
one scratch on the rear deck and very minor chipping around the
lower door edges, and is in overall utterly amazing condition for
being over 60 years old. Similarly, the interior shows only light
stretching wear. The chrome trim shows gentle pitting throughout
but is undeniably original. The trunk retains its original mat and
the original Goodyear full-size spare, apparently unused. The
original Sunshade Solex windshield remains intact. Only the black
convertible top is a replacement, the original having been
inadvertently damaged during service for Mr. Zimmerman,
necessitating its restoration.
Following his acquisition, Mr. Mitosinka had the radiator and fuel
pump overhauled, the fuel tank cleaned, and all wheel cylinders
rebuilt; new wheels and tires were also fitted. The carburetor has
recently been rebuilt and a new battery was installed this year.
The car would further benefit from a thorough, sympathetic cleaning
and gentle detailing.
Accompanying the car are the four original wheels with original
Goodyear tires with most tread still remaining, an original owner's
manual, paint chart, and assorted service receipts. This is an
excellent Mark III - among the most original, best-preserved, and
lowest-mileage to be found, a true "time capsule."To view this car
and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mt20.