Only Built Two Years! 1956 Continental Mark II
In the mid-1950s, Ford created the Continental Division to build some exclusive and expensive automobiles to compete with the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The one and only product from this move was the Continental Mark II, of which just 3,005 copies were built in 1956 and 1957. Estimates are that Ford lost money on every one of them built, so Continental merged back into Lincoln in 1958 and the Mark II experiment was over (Ford was by now focusing on the Edsel). Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, this Mark II is being sold out of an estate and is said to have been running recently. It’s available here on eBay where north of $6,300 will be required to crack the seller’s reserve.
The Mark II was the most expensive American-made car at the time, largely because much of it was hand-assembled though mechanical bits were supplied by Mercury (like the 368 cubic inch Y-block V8). It was only offered as a formal hardtop coupe and had all the bells and whistles that you would expect of a $10,000 automobile in 1956. The only option was factory air conditioning. Experts seem to think that half of these machines still survive today in one form or another, which is quite a feat. Fans of the Batman TV series of the 1960s will recall that a Mark II chassis was used to build the Adam West Batmobile from the Futura concept car.
This 1956 Lincoln spin-off is said to have just 68,000 miles, but because of an estate sale, little to no history is known about the car. The 285 hp V8 is said to be original along with the 3-speed automatic transmission. Because it’s not running at the moment, the seller has been unable to test the working order of things like power windows, seats, and so forth. There is an A/C system present, but it’s aftermarket.
When new, this Continental was finished in Fairmont Blue paint, but its owner decided to redo it in white a while time back. That may have been when some bodywork was done, and the passenger side door seems to close “funny” which may or may not have anything to do with those repairs. The paint is flaking, and bits of rust are present from place to place. The chrome should be salvageable and at least one window glass is cracked. The condition of the interior is hit or miss. These can be valuable cars when restored, but the cost of getting there likely won’t be cheap.
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Comments
Without a doubt, the ’55 and ’56 Continental Mark IIs were the most beautiful and elegant cars Ford built in the 1950s. This car had it all; sensational styling, luxurious interior with almost every option available at the time along with fit and finish second to none. The staggering price for one of these gems assured that you were somebody special if you could afford one of these stunning automobiles. It may take some deep pockets to restore this Continental Mk II, but hopefully, the right person will buy this and bring it back to its former glory.
Got that right FordGuy. Beautiful, and must move out nicely.
No doubt these are very stunning and beautiful cars but the only 2 model years were 1956-57. It is my favorite 1950’s automobile by far.
In the early Seventies, a foreman at the steel mill where I worked had a couple of these, and drove them all winter long through the salty, snow covered streets of NE Ohio. Seems these have never been much appreciated for what they were.
OMG, well we know the fate of at least two of the half that don’t exist anymore. What a tragedy. That’s what “winter cars” are for, but that wasn’t really a thing back then and some people with money don’t care if what they have gets wrecked, as they’ll just buy another. I live in the rust belt and see it first hand.
I agree. These are stunningly beautiful. People like Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and other celebrities owned Mark II Lincolns. Their interiors were very nicely appointed as well. This will look nice fully restored.
When there is rust on the inner door sills and a rusted button on the driver seat, its time to show extreme caution. The engine compartment also tells a story. Photos can sometimes be deceiving, but the passenger door and bottom sills look like there may likely be a lot of bondo in there. These cars were basically hand made and are comlarably very expensive to restore. It’s wise to buy the best example you can find. Hope I’m wrong with my assessment of this one, but don’t think I am.
I would say the beauty and elegance is the highest that anybody, not just Ford, made in the ’50s. Take a look at that car. Then take a look at any other car by any other make, not just in that year but any year of that decade. This car simply could not be bested by anyone else. Maybe the one detail that could be seen as better would be the curved side glass Virgil Exner pioneered on the ’57 Imperial, but that is it. Plus, these cars underwent the most ridiculously nit-picky inspection and testing program since Duesenbergs, so owners knew they would get a car with no fuss and no muss. It was simply THE best car in America, probably the world.
But few people, even in the booming ’50s, had a desire to spend $10g’s on a single car. If they had $10g’s to burn, they’d buy two or three or four cheaper cars. And, Ford lost $1,000 on every car they sold at that price; essentially they charged $10g’s for a car that cost them $11g’s to build. In the ’50s, $3 million was a lot to lose, even for an industrial giant like Ford.
Back then, you could buy a nice little home for $10k. All the same, I agree that the style and comfort were unsurpassed. Good luck to new owner. Make it beautiful again.
These are BIG and very difficult to find parts for. The wheel covers are there, that’s a big plus. This one has ac which I believe was the only option. The transmissions are a nightmare as you have the pull the engine to get it out as it is inside the chassis. A real beast. In all fairness, its a beautiful car, neat but the Brougham is far neater and much easier to work with.
The “they lost $10,000 on every unit built” which statement is repeated over and over again, and it is accounting nonsense
Ford ended production of the Continental and closed the Continental Division to clean up its balance sheet before going private.
There is absolutely no way they could’ve generated a profit in such a short production run. Termination had nothing to do with sales, but everything to do with bolstering the stock price
The first time I saw one of these I was in love. I was a child of course in the 50’s. but there was one in my hometown of Redding, California. That burg was quite small in those days around 8,000 population but there were some very wealthy folks who dwelled there. By now naturally the town has grown to around 80,00-100,000 people calling it there home town. Anyway someone there had the loot to buy one of these cars complete with a/c. It was the same color as this one and could often be seen about town. In those days being about 9 years old I had no idea about money so 10k was just a number to me. Only way I could compare value was from my dad who was a Union carpenter and said you could build a nice three bedroom two bath house for around $2,000.00 in material costs. Well best to the buyer.
God Bless America
I live near Redding and a white one is for sale in Redding though it is rough shape, might be the same car you saw.
Best looking car in the era of fins and too much chrome. But like most cars then it is too big for today’s roads and traffic.
Should be restored to very original specs, no customization and not on the cheap. No Chip Foose wheels!
Stunningly beautiful automobile. Members of the Ford family owned several of these. Elizabeth Taylor had one color coordinated with her famous violet eyes.
The 1969 Mark III was a fitting heir, unlike the pre 1961 Marks.
In perfect shape, I doubt only the wealthiest of collectors could touch it. As is, only the wealthiest of collectors would have the resources to bring this specimen to its former glory.
A real beauty that was extremely well built. Yes, it would take deep pockets to restore this car back to factory spec.
When I was growing up at the beach in Southern California, one of my neighbors bought a new 1956 Continental Mark II for his wife. For some reason, I’ve always remembered the price that he paid – $10,860.80. He always wondered what the extra 80 cents was for! His was white with a red and white leather interior – beautiful car!