Vehicle Description
A certain level of luxury is reserved for the discerning few, and
this 1956 Continental Mark II truly represents this upper echelon
of rare vintage vehicles. Yes, it was above Lincoln's hierarchy,
but we did list it in the name. As you read on, you'll see this
extremely rare Mark II has been treated with the proper respect and
preserved correctly to remain both vintage and premium.
The Mark II was a statement about having European luxury with
American flair. You see it in an exceptionally clean sheet metal
design that could rival the best pre-war French designs. This is
balanced with mammoth chrome bumpers so well integrated into the
design that you barely notice the exhaust under the tail lights. Of
course, the elegance of this car is further heightened by a nice
glow to the timelessly tasteful creamy white paint. You'll love
pouring over all the details of this hand-crafted coupe, including
the turbine-style wheels, intricate grille, and all the correct
badging. And you'll love the graceful bulge in the center of the
trunk - an iconic namesake feature that has been added to other
cars over the years. And it's good to notice how the tire looks
like the original factory piece because this idea of true
preservation seems to be a theme to the whole car.
The light blue and white interior is a unique and beautiful
combination that nicely coordinates with the seats, carpeting, door
panels, and headliner to create a beautifully uniform appearance.
It's hard to find anything of note that has been replaced over the
decades, and we think that's a good thing. So while you may decide
to update elements of this car, we like having plenty of
originality here so you can choose what should be updated and what
should represent the Eisenhower administration. The instrument
panel was influenced by both aircraft and clocks. It has
wonderfully detailed dials and levers for the heater controls,
making for a unique driving experience. Beyond the intricate
factory wheel is a full gauge panel with a tachometer. It's a
highly original presentation with terrific luxuries for its era,
like the AM radio and a power seat.
The 368 cubic-inch V8 was the best Lincoln had to offer in the day,
and it was rumored the Continental engines were even further
refined for the best quality. You can see this connection in the
well-presented engine bay with stock elements like the Continental
Star valve covers and fresh air intake. The four-barrel carburetor
and dual exhaust sound like the kind of features for a muscle car,
but in this application, it's all about providing effortless power
with plenty of refinement. And a car this nice deserves to be
driven with distinction. The refined ride combines easy driving
features like the three-speed automatic transmission, power
steering, and power brakes.
This was the debut year for the Mark II, and only about 3000
examples were ever produced. It's part of a legacy where an
American car was built to have no other equal, and there is added
prestige in this level of preservation. So you may decide to
upgrade the paint, restore the full power windows, or add other
investments, but this is a beautifully distinct rarity from day
one. Call now!
