1956 Continental Mark II Coupe

Zoom Classic Cars presents this 1956 Continental Mark II Coupe. There are 1950s luxury cars, and then there is the Continental Mark II. Created by Ford Motor Company as the flagship of its newly established Continental Division, the Mark II was conceived to compete with the finest luxury automobiles in the world. With a 1956 base price of $9,966, it was the most expensive American production automobile of its day, and Ford went to extraordinary lengths to build it with the fit, finish, materials and attention to detail expected of a true ultra-luxury automobile. Only 2,550 Mark IIs were produced for 1956, making this one of the genuinely uncommon American automobiles of the era. Offered here is a particularly interesting late-production 1956 Continental Mark II, chassis C56J3352, finished in its documented Special White DSO paint specification (D885) over its original Black and White leather interior (1P6N). The Continental data plate shown confirms that the VIN confirms: 1956 Model Year, 60A Continental Mark II Coupe, J-series production, Special-order paint specification and Black & White leather interior. The "J" production designation places this car in August 1956, very late in the 1956 production cycle. Perhaps even more interesting, the Continental Mark II production registry documents this exact chassis number and records its original configuration as D885 Special White paint with 1P6N Black & White leather, along with factory air conditioning and Bright Group equipment. The registry also identifies the original selling dealer as Beverly Hills Lincoln-Mercury in Beverly Hills, California, with Carl Krueger recorded as the original customer. This dovetails nicely with the car\'s known history as a California car for approximately its first 50 years, before eventually traveling east to Ohio and then Massachusetts. One of the most interesting aspects of this particular Mark II is its exterior color. Rather than being identified simply as one of the standard 1956 production colors, the factory-derived registry documentation identifies D885 as Special White paint, associated with a Dealer Special Order (DSO) specification. DSO cars were ordered with non-standard or specially specified equipment, colors or trim, making them particularly interesting to Mark II collectors. The result is a very elegant combination of Special White exterior with Black and White leather, exactly as documented for chassis C56J3352. The Mark II was deliberately engineered to be something different from the ordinary Lincoln. Under the direction of William Clay Ford and Ford\'s Special Products/Continental Division, the company sought to create an American automobile capable of standing alongside the world\'s finest luxury cars. The Mark II employed unusually rigorous quality-control procedures and was assembled in a low-volume operation rather than being treated like a conventional mass-produced Ford product. The philosophy was deliberately understated. Instead of the enormous fins and excessive ornamentation appearing on many contemporary American cars, the Mark II employed clean, restrained lines, exceptional proportions and carefully executed brightwork. It was essentially Ford\'s attempt to create an American coach built-style automobile using modern production methods. And it was expensive—very expensive. At nearly $10,000 in 1956, the Mark II occupied a price class normally associated with European luxury automobiles. Ford reportedly expected the program to lose money in exchange for establishing prestige for the company. The Continental experiment lasted only two model years. Power comes from the original 368 cubic-inch Lincoln Y-block V8, rated at approximately 285 horsepower, coupled to the smooth three-speed Turbo-Drive automatic transmission. The engine compartment is very clean for an unrestored survivor and retains the distinctive original Continental finned valve covers. A re-cored radiator has been fitted, contributing to the car\'s excellent mechanical condition. The car also retains its characteristic dual exhaust system exiting through the rear bumper, one of the Mark II\'s signature details. The car starts right up, runs smoothly and drives remarkably well. The Mark II came extraordinarily well equipped from the factory. Virtually every luxury convenience expected in a top-of-the-line American automobile was included as standard equipment, including: Power steering, Power brakes, Power windows, Power vent windows, Power front seat Power door locks, Heater and defroster, Electric clock, Town & Country AM radio, Power antenna, Full carpeting, Leather interior, Extensive chrome and stainless-steel trim, Dual exhaust, and Whitewall tires. Factory air conditioning was the major extra-cost option offered on the Mark II, with a period price of approximately $595. This example has been upgraded with a modern compressor and currently operates properly. This is an especially desirable improvement for an automobile of this size and era, making the Mark II substantially more enjoyable for modern-day touring while retaining its original factory A/C system. The Special White exterior presents very well from normal viewing distance, although the repaint is best described as approximately 7/10 overall. There are various cosmetic imperfections visible in the accompanying photographs, and we encourage prospective buyers to review the photographs carefully. We also noted also that the front drivers side fender color is slightly different than the rest of the car. Importantly, the underlying body presents extremely well. The body panels appear solid with excellent fitment and alignment, and the car retains its distinctive Mark II proportions and elegant lines. The chrome is particularly impressive. All exterior chrome is in excellent condition, and even the often-overlooked chrome on the inside of the doors remains exceptionally nice. All Continental badging, emblems, trim and brightwork are intact and in excellent condition. The car rides on whitewall tires mounted on beautiful Kelsey-Hayes chrome spoke wheels, providing an especially appropriate period appearance. Inside is the documented 1P6N Black and White leather interior. The original leather remains in place and presents as an honest survivor interior rather than a freshly restored cabin. The driver\'s seat and rear seat have seam rips/separations, as shown in the photographs. The dashboard also has some cracking, which is visible in the accompanying photographs and the headliner has a rip above the rear seating near one of the AC vents as shown These cosmetic issues are reflected in the overall presentation and provide an opportunity for the next owner to improve the interior while preserving its originality. The undercarriage is clean and solid, with typical surface rust consistent with a 70-year-old automobile. The car\'s long early life in California is certainly reflected in the overall structural presentation. Despite its enormous dimensions, the Mark II was engineered to be a genuine high-speed luxury touring automobile. This one starts immediately, runs smoothly, handles very well and drives exceptionally well. With approximately 218.4 inches of overall length, a 126-inch wheelbase and roughly 5,000 pounds of weight, the Mark II is an imposing automobile by any measure. And yes—measure the garage before buying. This is a BIG car. Yet behind the wheel, the Mark II feels remarkably composed. Power steering, power brakes and the smooth 368 V8 make it an effortless cruiser, while the car\'s substantial size provides the commanding road presence for which these cars are known. This Continental is best described as a mechanically sound, better-than-driver-quality survivor that can be enjoyed immediately while offering its next owner the opportunity to address the cosmetics at his or her own pace. Most importantly, this is not merely an old luxury car. It is the product of a brief period when Ford Motor Company decided it was going to build one of the finest automobiles in the world, regardless of conventional production economics. The Continental Division lasted only briefly. The Mark II was its only production automobile. Today, surviving examples represent one of the most fascinating chapters in American automotive history. Ready to be enjoyed while its next chapter is written. Call Jeff for additional information or to arrange a viewing. Thanks for Looking.