Vehicle Description
Imagine forcing celebrities such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra
and even then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower to follow company
protocol and complete paperwork to qualify to own a new Continental
Mark II! Arizona owner purchased the car in 2018 with 60,300 miles
marked actual title, current mileage shows 64,225.
That is exactly what the company did during the mid-1950s before
and after the car launched. This example was made on September 19,
1956 in Ford's Wixom, Michigan factory. It is one of 98 cars made
with factory air-conditioning. Part of the system, the condensing
unit, is mounted in the trunk and it sends cold air through clear
plastic tubes that are mounted to the package shelf and to the roof
where it emits from vents in the headliner, where it follows
physics and descends around the driver and passengers.
Dressed in Starmist White (code 14), the car's paint and trim
remain in very good shape with just a few very minor blemishes on
the hood near the windshield. The overall condition is very good,
with all windows, mirrors and lights remaining crack-free and
clear. The engine bay is extremely tidy. The body panels retain a
straight and factory-correct fit and the exterior trim and the
bumpers also fit well and are in fine condition. The car rides on
P235/75R15 wide whitewall tires, surrounding the original equipment
wheels and wheel covers. Wipers and vent windows are inop. The
trunk has its spare tire immediately forward of the rear bumper and
the factory air-conditioning condensing unit on the forward
wall.
This beautifully presented Mark II features a 368 CID Y-block V-8
with a 408-CFM Carter four-barrel carburetor, linked to a
Turbo-Drive three-speed automatic transmission and backed by a
3.07:1 rear end. The engine breathes via dual exhausts. Driver
convenience features are top-shelf for the era, including factory
air-conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows,
four-way power seats, power vent windows and power antenna. It is
simply one of the best-equipped luxury cars of the era.
This combination showcases the pinnacle of Continental design in
the mid- to late-1950s. Inside, the four-way power seats,
upholstered in a gorgeous combination of white and blue Bridge of
Weir leather, complementing carpet and dashboard are all in very
good shape, as are the three-spoke steering wheel, door skins and
shift lever. The headliner, rear package shelf and mirrors are in
fine condition as well. Fitting its overall condition, this Mark II
has full instrumentation, the original Town and Country AM radio
with two speakers and a Cartier clock.
The Continental Mark II designation was revived in late 1955,
produced largely by hand in the Continental Division of Ford Motor
Company, which was completely separate from Lincoln-Mercury. The
Mark II was a unique design with the highest quality control ever
seen in the automobile industry. Continental set the bar for
high-class luxury with the new Continental, and with very limited
availability, it soon appeared even more exclusive than the
original Mark.
This car was hard to get, even selling for over $10,000 when new,
meaning celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and politicians such as
Barry Goldwater had to follow protocol from Ford to qualify for
ownership.
Competition to this Continental Mark II in 1957, included Buick's
Series 70 Roadmaster Riviera, Cadillac's Eldorado Seville and Coupe
de Ville, Chrysler's New Yorker two-door hardtop, DeSoto's
Adventurer, Dodge's Coronet Lancer, Imperial's Crown, Lincoln's own
Premiere Coupe, Mercury's Monterey, Oldsmobile's 98 Starfire
Holiday Coupe and Studebaker's Golden Hawk.
Proof of the Mark II's desirability is that almost 70 years after
they were made, approximately 50 percent of these cars still
survive. They are cherished by their owners for their immaculate
style and smooth performance, so it's no wonder why this lovely
Starmist White example is presented today in such fine
condition.
If you collect Mark IIs, Lincolns and/or luxury vehicles, this
would not be one to pass on the opportunity to own. Stop by
MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to check out this survivor Mark II
for yourself!
VIN: C56K3396
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis,
Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 64,225 miles. It is
sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title.
GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that
pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.