For Sale: 1956 Lincoln Continental in Concord, North Carolina

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!