One of my longtime favorite cars is the 1940-41 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet, and although their prices have come down significantly over the last decade or so, a decent one still commands more than I’m willing to spend, which leads me to occasionally ask myself the following question: How about a beater? Is it heretical to drive one of America’s most heralded luxury cars in a condition that many would find disgraceful? As the successor to the first-generation Continental that I love so much, this 1956 Continental Mark II doesn’t exactly come across as a “beater,” but the seller clearly states that it will “need some TLC to bring it back to its glory days as one of the most exclusive vehicles on the road.” Barn Finder par excellence T.J. spotted it on craigslist in Ortonville, Michigan, with a $16,900 asking price. That’s a relatively cheap buy-in, but how far do you go in restoring it?
Although this Mark II is far from being ready for the concours showfield, it is a running car with a solid body, and that is about all we can glean from the advertisement regarding the condition of the car. An in-person inspection will be vital, although it may be a “what you see is what you get” situation. The engine itself is a 285-horsepower 368 Lincoln Y-Block, a very handsome engine with its Continental-specific ribbed valve covers. Also notice how the exhaust manifolds and pipes exit through the engine compartment, where they follow the frame rails to their terminus at the rear bumper, which was done in an effort to keep the Continental as low as possible. This car also has air conditioning, not exactly a common thing on a car in 1956, but when the buyer is forking over $10,000 new, one cannot be surprised.
The interior is not too bad, but it would need to be completely restored if one wanted a truly “nice” car. The Mark II has a real leather interior, and the materials alone might put the restoration nearly underwater. That’s the problem with rare luxury cars in this condition; the cost of refurbishment will almost certainly exceed the car’s value, especially in the case of the Mark II, which in my opinion has always been an undervalued American classic.
This car also has power windows and what appears to be a not-insignificant amount of mold, so a thorough cleaning and some sympathetic repairs at the least will be necessary.
And that brings me back to my original question to myself: How about a beater? This car is all painted one color, and if it runs and drives, you might spend a few grand (or maybe a few more) making it a reliable ten-footer. Sure, it probably deserves better being such a high-roller (one of 2,550 built for 1956), but will it get it? It might be fun to have one of the few Mark II “drivers” out there, one you could use to run errands and drive in the rain. Sounds like fun. Now, are there any 1940 models out there in this condition?
Personally, I’d have no compunction about driving this Mark II. Some elbow grease and some polishing compound and some Armor All would go a long way in improving the appearance.
Of course there would be mechanical things to fix, but that’s the fun part, usually.
First order of business would be to restore the ride height to stock.
There was a green one in March of last year that was really nice and the ask was about 26K. Just the bumpers on this one would require at least 5k as very few companies do them anymore and there are literally no parts cars left. This car sits level and believe it or not that is the correct ride height as the car sits on what some called a “cowbelly” chassis and the body is essentially channelled down around it. Best thing would be to just clean it up and have fun with it but the price would have to come down by at least half. Oh, and the exhaust doesn’t follow the frame rails it goes down through them and comes out in time to exit through the bumpers.
Dunno. Shift the decimal, Dewey, one place to the left and maybe it will find a home? Needs bunches of bucks to bring it back from oblivion.
These cars were, and well actually still are a work of art to me. I used to draw cars as a teenager, I was not very good at it, and I remember trying to draw these because of how beautiful I thought they were. As much as a proper restoration would make this one stunning, from a financial point of view, I agree with Rex. Take a common sense approach to this one, a can of rubbing compound and some elbow grease and you’d have a some great results. The chrome looks like its pretty good. The plain steel black rims actually kind of add a budget hot rod look to it.
That part about the plain black rims reminds me, the wheel covers for the Mark II were finned and hand made. Replacements cost hundreds of dollars for just one if you could even find them. I do like these though.
I miss Lincoln Mercury
all the models w/this name are great to me (cept the 2, 3 yr model in late 50s before ‘the Kennedy-m0bile”, had the ‘cats eyes’ hdlghts). This mark II & the 1st are at the head of the list. Asa ford guy I still like most the caddys too (esp the wagons)…
But own any past the rehab ’n sell date? No. I like it the other way. Find buyer 1st, do the labor (esp if they bring the Correct parts) test drive, off the lot~
BTW I agree that this would make a classy beater. Clean it up and drive it, you’ll get looks everywhere you go.
it seems that a lot of these classic cars nowadays are being sold by dealerships. it’s hard to find a really good deal because you’re now paying more usually because of a dealer
Only 285 HP in 1956,it went to 300 for the 1957 model.If this car is solid,totally worth it,one of the greatest cars ever created.
Oops, you’re right. Fixed now.
Does anyone on here believe that the condition is good as stated by the seller? Much closer to poor. Signs of rust from end to end and side to side. Good chrome? Can you not see the condition of the bumpers?! Absolutely move the decimal point!
And I didn’t mention the mileage. Also signs of poor rust repair! WOW!
Call Joe Martin at Iron Resurrection, he loves these!
But, sadly, he’d put an LS in it.
He sold a white one he’d held onto for a bit. Would have enjoyed seeing how it turned out.
Yes a lesser price would absolutely make a buyer more interested. And hopefully someone who appreciates this classic and do right by it.
Fix up and drive it, al little at a time more work,whatever the next owner does, enjoy it
Good luck on that price. Ones in almost mint condition are selling for 26,000 – 35,000
I just sold mine this fall because after almost 15 years, I didn’t know if I would ever be able to do the work I thought it deserved. Mine was in far better shape and I sold it for a little less so this one is high or I was low. Beautiful cars though. Mine originally belonged to the third richest man in the United States when it was sold new. Not sure how on Earth it wound up in Central Illinois 55 years later.
Air conditioning was the only option on these. Everything else was standard.
This car is from Michigan, the bumpers are rusty, and the seller conveniently avoids posting photos of its underside. What does that tell you?
where is the passenger side lower dash? Glove box and everything else seems to be missing. looks ripped out! or is my eyesight really that bad? BTW this is my favorite style Lincoln.
I always loved these Continental’s. I wish I’d had the cash money, back when $16k could buy you a mint version of these.
The pricing on these even in this condition has really fallen. They are almost attainable now. It takes a lot of $$ to go through one of these, even if you do it yourself. These were essentially hand built cars, and were solid.
They weren’t the most expensive car in 56, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was at more than 13K.
When I was a pre-teen. we had a neighbor who must have appreciated classic “iron”. He bought a ’53 or ’54 Vette (new) and traded it a couple of years later for a new ’56 Mkll Continental. As I remember, it was a DEEEEP burgandy color. I don’t remember the color of the leather.