Synonymous with luxury, the Lincoln Continental spanned through ten generations of cars, and while it took a pause here and there the Continental nameplate ultimately lasted until just a couple of years ago when it was put to rest after the 2020 model, due to low sales and the company’s focus shifting to SUV and crossover vehicles. The Mark name saw its first use back in ’56 when Continental rolled out its Mark II, and at a cost of $10,000 it was the most expensive American car on the market for that year. But the car did come fully loaded, with air conditioning being the only available additional option, and as a status symbol, it was hard to beat. If you’ve been on the hunt for a vintage Continental and like the looks of the early Mark series, this 1956 Continental Mark II may be a good car for you. It’s located in Trenton, Ohio, and can be found here on Craigslist with an asking price of $8,400.
Barn Finds would like to thank reader Thomas Kitchen for his great tip on this one! The story behind this Mark II is that the current owner bought the car with the intent of making it a nice driver, as a frame-off would have been cost-prohibitive, but he’s now 80 years old and wisely decided it’s time for the car to find a new home. He says the Continental is very solid, with one small rust hole in the back corner of the passenger side floor and an even smaller one in the bottom of the spare tire well. At some point in the past, the car was hit in the right front, and while it was fixed he describes the bodywork as only so-so, thus the low price.
There’s good news and bad news under the hood. Good, in that the original 368 cubic inch Y-block is still residing under there, but not so good as it doesn’t run. The motor does turn over by hand, but two cylinders have low compression and the seller thinks it needs to come out for a rebuild. The Lincoln valve covers are still in place, as is the Holley-built teapot carburetor, and the car even still has its original exhaust system. Also good is that the seller mentions there is no rust on the frame, although we don’t get a photo of the underside.
Inside, the dashboard and gauges are said to be in very good shape, and the seats have no tears or worn spots but could use a good restitching by a skilled upholsterer. This car does feature the optional air conditioning, however, it’s not functioning and the seller says it needs more than just a belt or a recharge. The car also comes with a clear Ohio title. What are your thoughts on this 1956 Continental Mark II?
Not a Lincoln. A Continental. Just sayin’….
Ramone, that was my “first thought”. My second thought was for a restorable Continental Mark ll that’s not a terrible starting price.
That seems like a steal at that price. And you have good options from there. I’d personally do a mild refresh, fix the floor and trunk rust, and do whatever was needed to get it running good. It’d be a fantastic driver quality example of the great American car. You could also go full resto and probably not end up upside down. I’m surprised to see one this nice under $10k.
MIGHT be a good price. It’s all about condition. If she’s rotted, it’s a lot for a parts car.
Good point Ramone- I just now realized that the earlier Marks were from the Continental division of Ford. Thanks for the correction and comment. Am I correct in now thinking that is was 1969 when they actually first became known as the Lincoln Continental?
The Continental brand was 2 years only…for this car only…1956 and 1957…same time period of the Edsel brand. All other Continental cars before and after are Lincoln brand.
Mike, if memory is right, ALL Lincolns wore Continental emblems starting in 1961, and the new personal luxury coupes in 1969 were badged as Lincoln Continental Mark III.
There was a Mark III in 1958
Nice car at an affordable price especially if you can do the work yourself. Getting the correct hubcaps will be a major expense tho.
Wayne,
You are correct, the last time I checked, good used [not scraped or dented, and complete] were selling for between $1,200 and $1,500 EACH. Not long ago I saw a set of NOS wheel covers offered in the original boxes, for $10k.
Back when I owned mine (20 years ago) I had one fly off and was clobbered by a semi so nothing saveable. I found a decent used one but even 20 years ago I had to pay 400.00!
Great car that’s reasonably priced for the Mark 11 that it is. If I were getting it I would certainly rebuild the engine and other mechanicals. I’ve been dreaming of one of these for awhile, but recently finished a 2 year 65 Mercury restoration. Great find guys.
This car makes me wonder; a friend of my parents bought what was alleged to be the first one sold, if not in the country at least in Ohio. It was the same color as this car. He goinked the right front pulling into his garage and had to wait for quite some time for parts.
That cast iron AC compressor and clutch look familiar. The clutch itself is very heavy. Updated my Mercury to an aluminum unit as well as a lighter clutch after mine died.
The cast iron compressors were Tecumseh and the aluminum ones were York.
The Tecumseh were by far a better compressor as they would handle a bit of moisture where as the York was not as forgiving. The clutch was big and heavy as it acted as a flywheel.
I’ll echo others’ statements that this is a nicer car than most at this price point. The Continental is similar in philosophy, if not in details, to the Eldorado Brougham, but seems to have a much lower market value. Even at this price a full restoration probably won’t make anyone a profit. It seems good enough that getting it running and driving shouldn’t be too daunting, though, and it could almost be a rolling resto from that point.
I’ve idly followed these for a while, and even put a few bids on one on That Other Website. I may yet find myself the owner of one. The timing isn’t quite right for this one, unfortunately.
I have wanted one of these for years.
Behind the wheel, it is hard to rationalize the size. At this price, however, I’d make it a driver without concern for authenticity. Those hubcaps have to go. Mustang type R five spokes? Keystones? Maybe painted reversed with baby Moons? What would be possible to tighten it up? Airbags? This would be fun, especially if you could be in it for $20k with everything gripping the road.
I was glad to reduce the weight and crazy vibration from my cast iron Tecumseh compressor and clutch to a lighter version. They also come with 2 braces for support to keep from vibrating so badly. I’m very pleased with my York and lighter clutch. Which was more of a harmonic balancer than a flywheel.
Love the Marks; this is a beauty and well priced. It is said these were incredibly well built and they lost $ on every one produced. If I had the ability to work on this my self and the space to store it………….
Based on the Ford T’bird?
Hugely expensive to restore. I mean HUGELY.
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