In 1956, Ford Motor Co. created a special division aside from Lincoln to produce uber-luxurious cars sold under the Continental brand. The Mark II would be its one and only product and the automobile and division were discontinued after 1957. In that time, just 1,769 copies of the Mark II were built with just 444 in 1957, the year the seller’s project was assembled. This rarity looks to have been living in a barn with a dirt floor and could be mostly complete, but it will need a lot of work. Located near Portland, Oregon, this Lincoln spin-off is available here on craigslist for $9,500.
Looking to compete with the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the Continental Mark II was born. The moniker followed a similar naming convention used by European can builders. It was the most expensive automobile built in the U.S. at the time, and we understand that Ford lost money on each one it produced. That was largely due to the fact they were mostly hand-assembled, although its powertrain was borrowed from Lincoln. It was a noble experiment for Ford, but by 1958 the effort was over with the company stuck with mass production, its sweet spot.
The seller says this Mark II has a 289 V8, but that’s not likely. First, it doesn’t look like one – and — second, the cars used the Y-Block 368 cubic inch Lincoln V8 that produced 285 hp. Whatever motor is there is said to turn and crank, so there’s reason to be optimistic about its future. These cars employed an automatic transmission, and the exhaust was positioned to exit through pipes in the rear bumper. And speaking of bumpers, both are off the vehicle but will come with the deal.
Data provided by the seller indicates this car was painted Starmist White when new, but most of it wears older grey primer now. And the interior is said to have left the factory with red leather, yet there is grey upholstery now that isn’t too bad but will need redoing. As equipped, this Continental was one of 40 out of the 444 finished this way. The carpeting is out of the car and the floors look pretty crusty, so restoring this auto will need to start from the bottom and work its way up. Most of the pieces that are missing are said to be accounted for by the seller, who is willing to provide delivery and accept cryptocurrency as payment.
Price is hard to believe, if all the pieces are included, it’s a bargain.
If it’s “all original” then why does the spec sheet say it ha a red interior and white paint?
Who would take on a project like this in this day and age? $$$$$$$
If I didn’t have three cars in process and two waiting I’d be all over this! Price is amazingly cheap. And it’s rare, and in my opinion the best looking American car of the post war era. Would be VERY expensive to restore, and there are a lot of parts made from Unobtainium! But done right oughta be worth about $100K.
When I was a kid, there was a filbert-drying company west of Beaverton & the owners had a pair of them; hers white, his black. Cool cars.
Really neat body style I always liked them.Car looks like a huge money pit though imo.Someone looks to have painted the upholstery unfortunetly with upholstery paint.My buddy did it on a 65 Impala long ago from white to black and it’s still holding up. you can see the red thru the gray on the steering wheel. You’re gonna need real deep pockets to restore this baby.glwts.
I never knew that Ford’s target for these cars was Rolls and Bentley. I always thought it was Cadillac. These cars are beautiful when restored. And I’m old enough to remember when $10k would buy you a really nice one.
Be the first to own a 1957 Continental Mark II rat rod!
Whats the story on the c-body studebaker parked in front.
Well this is an interesting project price is ok but at today prices to restore and can you buy parts for it ?
Front end has vague resemblence of my Studie….good project for someone with deep pockets….
Not even vaguely…
I have a suspicion the car does not include the 4 wheel covers, as mint originals can exceed $3k EACH, and restored original wheel covers typically sell for $2k and up.
So if no correct wheel covers are included, the buyer can plan on spending almost as much as the car costs, to get the correct wheel covers!
even looks good in this state.
One of the all time winners (in my book).
FREE would not be a good deal IF your goal was a restoration.
Purists please don’t shun me but I would build this as a restomod, it’d be easier on the budget, and probably more enjoyable to cruise in.
Agreed. You wouldn’t see another at Cars and Coffee.
I find it interesting that the last 2 commenters were Bull and Moosie.
Kinda sound like a former American political party!
I’m a “Know Nothing”, do l count? 🤪
A great price for a 57 Mark11, and I agree it would be easier on the budget to do a tasteful restomod as opposed to a faithful restoration. Esp as also mentioned, youd be paying thousands for just original the hubcaps. If you got it for this price you could do it the way you wanted.
Exactly, and a 100 years from now, nobody’s gonna care anyway.
Sad someone let this car get in this shape … one of the greatest cars of the 50’s … absolutely love these cars … the cost of restoration, however, will be far above what most of us old car lovers can afford – this is for very deep pockets …
56/57 Continental Mark II is one of my all time favorites. I would have to have Bill Gates’ Money to do this car justice. Asking price is quite the steal.
The price has been reduced to $7500 now.
These are fun until you have to remove the transmission or find a suspension piece. This is a put it together and use as is. Find a set of wheels that are close to the wheel cover design. Personally they are big and huge and really dull for the time. A Premier convertible would be much neater.
The 57 frog douche-bag 69hundred was quad-super-charged with 18 carbs.! Had a complicated linkage though.The supercharger scoops came out of the hood and fenders.It also had smokestacks just behind the rear window with flappers.It said Rube Goldberg deluxe on the back of the trunk lid.Was very big in California in the 50’s!