1 of 16 Continental MARK II Convertibles worldwide

1956 Continental MARK II

The Continental Mark II is a personal luxury car that was produced by the newly created Continental Division of the Ford Motor Company, in 1956 and 1957. An attempt to build a post-World War II car to rival the greatest of the pre-War era, or anything produced in Europe, it is regarded as a rare and elegant classic.

History: By the beginning of the 1950s, with the future of Lincoln more secure, Ford began development work on a fourth division, intended to build the most expensive American car, priced even above Cadillac, Packard, and Imperial. The new vehicle was not intended to be the largest or most powerful automobile; rather, the most luxurious and elegant American car available, designed to recapture the spirit of the great classics of the prewar period—with prices to match.

Design: What emerged was something quite unlike other American cars of the period. While other makes experimented with flamboyant chrome-laden styling, the Continental Mark II was almost European in its simplicity of line and understated grace.The new Continental was introduced in October 1955—but not at big American auto shows, such as those in New York and Chicago. Rather it was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show, and later that October at Ford headquarters in Dearborn.[4]There was something of the style of the early Ford Thunderbird at the front, which was introduced earlier at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954, with a tasteful egg-crate grille; a long, curving hood; and straight fenders to the headlights. The fender line went back to behind the doors, at which point the line kicked up a little before curving back down to the taillights.Little chrome was used compared to other vehicles of the time, and the only two-tone paint combinations offered were limited to roofs being contrasted with bodies. The car had power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, power vent windows, and a tachometer.[1] The vanes on the wheel covers were individually bolted inside the frame of the cover. It sported a high greenhouse and a wraparound windscreen. Fueling was accomplished via a swingaway left taillight. The Continental Mark II had only one option, air conditioning, for $595..[5]Most of the car was hand-built to an exacting standard, including the application of multiple coats of paint, hand sanding, double lacquering, and polishing to perfection. Bridge of Weir leather was used throughout the interior.[6]For power, the Mark II featured the newly offered 368-cubic-inch (6.03 L) Lincoln V8. Standard equipment in the Lincoln line, the engines selected for the Mark II were effectively factory blueprinted, assembled from the closest-to-specifications parts available. Turning out 285 hp (213 kW) in 1956, the engine was tuned to produce 300 hp (224 kW) in 1957. The engine was mated to a three-speed Lincoln automatic, and both engine and transmission were subject to extensive pre-release testing.

The Mark II sold for $10,400,[7] the equivalent of a new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud or two Cadillacs

About 1,300 were sold in the last quarter of 1955 after the car's October debut at the Paris Motor Show; another 1,300 or so in 1956; and 444 in 1957, some with factory-installed air conditioning. Initially, Ford accepted losses on the Mark II in return for the prestige with which it endowed its entire product line; but after going public, tolerance for such losses fell.

The car was featured in the 1956 film High Society, starring Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Louis Armstrong.

Many famous and wealthy individuals purchased Mark IIs when the car was released. Notable owners included:[citation needed]

Walter Brennan (car 2350, Starmist White)

Les Brown (car 1366, Briar Brown Metallic)

Joseph S. Clark, Jr. (car 1402, Black)

Wilbur Clark (car 1680, Black)

Cecil B. DeMille (car 2425, Black)

Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (car 2894, Black)

Mrs. J. Paul Getty (car 2596, Cobalt Blue Metallic)

Barry Goldwater (car 2804, Pastoral Blue)

Stewart Granger (car 1806, Black)

Dwight Eisenhower (car 3411, Medium Tan Iridescent)

Milton Eisenhower (car 3289, Black)

Emir of Qatar (car 1183, Starmist White)

Bill Harrah (car 2054, Starmist White)

Herbert Hoover Jr. (car 3538, Medium Tan Iridescent)

Hussein of Jordan (car 2721, Cobalt Blue Metallic)

Henry J. Kaiser (car 1927, Briar Brown Metallic/Medium Beige)

Hedy Lamarr (car 3812, Medium Grey Iridescent)

Eli Lilly (car 2086, Medium Gray)

Josiah Kirby Lilly III (car 1614, Cobalt Blue Metallic)

Elvis Presley (car 3286, Starmist White)

Louis Prima (car 3668, Medium Grey Iridescent)

David Rockefeller (1579, Dark Red)

Nelson Rockefeller (car 1568, Dark Red)

Victor Sassoon (car 1071, Black)

Shah of Iran (car 2135, Black)

Frank Sinatra (car 1884, Black)

Liz Taylor (car 3196, custom blue to match her eyes)

Mike Todd (car 3978, Medium Grey Iridescent)

Harry Warner (car 2280, Starmist White)

Darryl F. Zanuck (car 2737, Black)

Production: Although the Mark II was planned in three body styles – hardtop, hardtop convertible (which was re-engineered as the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner)[11][12], and convertible – only hardtops ended up being built. Despite this, Ford sent two cars to be converted to convertibles by coachbuilders. One car 1120 was sent to Hess and Eisenhardt in Cincinnati, and one car – 3190 – was sent to the Derham Body Company in Philadelphia. The Derham car, originally painted pearlescent white, was given to Bill Ford's wife for personal use. This car was later painted sky blue, and is now owned by an Iowa collector.

Today

Prices for coupes range between $15,000 for a running example in poor repair to $120,000 in concourscondition. Lately there has been a steady rise in price taking place. Convertibles have sold between $80,000 and $500,000. The lower end were conversion only. The price goes up based on the quality, mileage and full concourse restoration. A few quality restored convertibles have sold in the $ 300,000 to $ 500,000 range. My price leaves room for future profit if your willing to wait for the right buyer.

This Car 3371

This car has been restored over the last 4 years and intended from the start to be a high quality '' driver'' not a museum piece. It started as an almost rust free southern car. Starting with the frame off, all fuel, brake, air lines etc.were replaced. Frame sand blasted and powder coated. Rebuilt engine, brake booster, power steering pump, power steering gear, starter, generator, wiper motor, carburetor, fuel sending unit etc.. Transmission was serviced and new filters etc. installed. Every body panel was checked and repaired where needed and block sanded to perfection. Entire body was media blasted and epoxy primed. Paint is House of Kolors Jet Black with a beautiful deep shine. Polished to remove any orange peel. Window motors and switches were repaired or replaced as needed. All window tracks cleaned and lubed. The convertible conversion was done correctly as recommended by Ford using a 1957 convertible frame. This process took considerable time to make sure the final look was beautiful. The top frame stacks low when down to give a great apperance thats better than an other convertible i've seen. This might be the only convertible that retains its side quarter windows eliminating the look of the very large side section of canvas top. This took some expert planning to achieve but was well worth the time spent. The best quality canvas was used for the convertible top. The gorgeous red 'leather' interior was done by the best upholsterer in Ontario, Canada. Notice there are no angle cuts to the leather seats to match original. Bumpers, front grille and rear deck ornaments had been rechromed by previous owner and are nice condition. I rechromed the rocker panel trim, outside door handles, inside door handles and surrounds. New hood star, breather and steering pump stars. Front end repairs and alignment. All new brake linings, cylinders complete. New bulbs. I added a transmission switch for the car to start in drive instead of neutral. New rubber seals installed on all windows and doors. New heavier gauge rims to avoid hubcaps coming off. New wide whitewall tires. Hubcaps were taken apart, cleaned, straightened, painted and polished. Complete new exhaust system. Exhaust manifolds with new protective coating. Valve covers reconditioned. Radiator was re-cored. All new heater and rad hoses. New heat valves. All new air lines. Gauges re-wired, new bulbs and cleaned. Motor painted correct gold. Breather etc, painted. Decals installed under hood. Negatives: A/C blower had to be removed to accomodate convertible stack. I have the A/C system if buyer wishes to install it. Whindshield washer not working. Some small chrome pieces not rechromed. Headlight chrome rings attached with screws for safety. Doors are tight closing till new seals settle. I can answer any other details as requested. h_hussey@yahoo.ca