At first glance, this 1956 Continental Mark II seems to have the makings of a promising project. It is largely complete and rust-free, thanks to its time in a favorable climate. However, with no VIN tag or title, the seller listed it as a parts car. That is a shame, because returning it to its former glory may have been fairly straightforward. Therefore, if you already have a build on the go, it could be worth a close look. The seller has listed the Continental here on eBay in Gilbert, Arizona. They have received no bids on their auction that opened at $2,500, but they also provide a BIN option of $8,500.

The Continental Mark II hit the market in 1956 as a “money is no object” undertaking. The company aimed to produce the best luxury car on the planet, and they pulled out all the stops. The build process was meticulous, with each body fully assembled to ensure perfect fit before being dismantled for painting. The quality control system was second to none and wasn’t restricted to the usual individuals who performed inspections. Every employee was encouraged to have input to ensure the cars were perfect when they left the factory. The first owner ordered our feature car in Presidential Black, and it has spent its life in Arizona. That has allowed this Continental to avoid the rust issues that often plague these classics. Unfortunately, the seller only supplies one exterior shot, making it impossible to determine whether there are any dings or dents. However, the indications are positive from what we can see. It appears that most of the trim is present and in good condition, including the beautiful handmade hubcaps that were assembled from individual fins and are almost an automotive work of art.

The first owner contrasted the exterior paint shade by specifying White leather interior trim. This is another aspect that reflects the company’s desire for perfection. The imported Bridge of Weir leather was vat-dyed to avoid the color inconsistency that was often seen on spray-dyed leather. Cars featured almost every luxury touch available to buyers in 1956 as standard equipment, although air conditioning, which was the only optional extra, added $595 to the Continental’s sticker price. This interior looks quite promising in the limited shots, with no gaping holes or other problems. Many pieces might be fit for reuse with a deep clean, which will be welcome news for the new owner. The vehicle also retains its original 368ci V8 and three-speed automatic transmission. As with other aspects of the Mark II, each engine was hand-assembled to ensure it ran perfectly and produced the 285hp and 402 ft/lbs of torque quoted by the factory. This classic’s mechanical health is unclear, but rebuilds are typically easy and inexpensive if there are no major problems.

It will be interesting to gauge reader feedback on this 1956 Continental Mark II because some regions allow the appropriate authorities to issue new titles for cars of this type. If that is the case, its rust-free status might prompt some Barn Finders to pursue it further as a viable restoration project. It would be a shame to see this Mark II reduced to a parts source, although that is sometimes an unavoidable fate. If you live in an area where you could obtain a new title, is this a project you might consider?