1957 Lincoln Continental Mark II

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.