Vehicle Description
After successfully bridging the pre-war and post-war eras,
Lincoln's flagship V12-powered Continental was discontinued in
1948, and the name briefly retired. But within a few years, Ford
Motor Company charged Edsel Ford's 28-year-old son William Clay
Ford with developing a new division above Lincoln that could
surpass the likes of Packard and Cadillac. The team envisioned an
American luxury car to take on the best the world had to offer,
andContinentalwas the perfect moniker for this new
European-inspired personal luxury car. The Mark II was the first
model from Ford's new Continental Division - a separate,
stand-alone company independent from Lincoln, tasked with creating
America's finest automobile. The new car was based on a unique
chassis design with outboard frame rails, allowing the body to sit
much lower and provide "step-down" footwells that a traditional
X-frame could not. Power came via a 368 cubic-inch (6.0 liter)
Y-block V8 shared with Lincoln, tuned to produce 285 horsepower
(300 in later models) and dressed in unique Continental valve
covers. Continentals were built on a slow-moving assembly line by
veteran Ford workers to ensure quality, and each car was finished
to a high standard, trimmed in the finest Bridge of Weir leather
upholstery, and fully equipped with the latest power accessories.
What set the new Continental apart from its contemporaries was its
understated yet arresting design, created by team of stylists led
by John Reinhart. It measured 18 feet long but was only 4 feet,
8-inches tall, and was notably devoid of the excessive flash that
pervaded mid-century American car design. The Mark II is a model of
sophistication and restrained elegance and is judged today as one
of the most beautiful American cars of all time. The Continental
Mark II hit showrooms with a $10,000 price tag (the most expensive
American car at the time), but the division never turned a profit,
and declining luxury car sales meant it was dissolved after 1957.
Despite its short existence and low production (3,013 coupes, three
official coachbuilt convertibles), the Continental Mark II made a
lasting impression in history, and it remains one of the most
desirable and distinctive American motorcars of the post-war era.
The superb 1956 Continental Mark II presented here is of the finest
we've had the pleasure to offer. It is the subject of a
concours-quality body-off restoration, exquisitely presented in the
fetching shade of Dark Red over a two-tone white and dark red
interior. According to registry information provided by marque
experts, the car was built in July 1955, making it very early in
the production. The first owner's details are unknown, though, by
1998, it was in the care of Mr. Ron Reeves of Whittier CA., The
understated dark red color neatly highlights the Mark II's elegant
lines, which are remarkably crisp and well defined on this car.
Body and paintwork are impeccable, with laser-straight panels,
excellent fit, and a gorgeous glass-smooth finish. The bumpers,
intricate egg-crate grille, and subtle rocker trims are all
restored to concours standards and superb in every respect.
Swinging open the substantial door reveals a beautifully restored,
leather-trimmed cabin. Like the exterior, the interior design is
elegantly restrained and a refreshing contrast to its
contemporaries. This car has the optional-style two-tone trim, with
dark red seats accented with ivory inserts, and a leather-covered
dash. The gold-faced instruments convey a modern, high-end
character, and power windows, power seat, pushbutton radio, and
power steering are standard fitments. The superb fit and finish
reflect the cost-no-object nature of this restoration and
extraordinary attention to detail. Beneath the impossibly long hood
sits the 368 cubic-inch OHV Y-block V8. It is appropriately dressed
with Continental-specific parts such as the ribbed valve covers and
high-routed exhaust manifolds required to run the exhaust outside
the frame rails. Paint quality under the hood is as fine as the
exterior, with authentically refinished engine and ancillaries,
detailed with faithfully reproduced labels and markings. It runs
and drives as it should, with effortless torque, slick-shifting
automatic transmission, and a refined, "hewn from solid" feel on
the road. Considering the cost and skill required to restore a
Continental Mark II to this level, few have received such lavish
treatment. While it has been several years since this car was
completed, it has been impeccably maintained in a world-class
collection and remains in concours-ready condition. A timeless
American classic, this stunning Continental's presence will
undoubtedly be welcome at any prestigious event. Offers welcome and
trades considered For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7601-1956-lincoln-continental-mkii/
