Richard Nixon was President the last time this car changed hands. The seller’s father purchased it in 1970 and named it “Connie,” and now this 1956 Continental Mark II could be yours. Thanks to Pat L. who spied this languishing classic here on Los Angeles, California craigslist (with an archived copy here on craigslistadsaver). The $7,500 asking price might constitute a bargain at 72% of the original $10,430 sticker price… or $96,000 in today’s money. Ford positioned Continental as its own marque in those days, with a mission to “craft the finest automobiles in America,” and billed the Mark II as a premier luxury coupe.
When most American cars were about to sprout giant fins and acres of chrome, the Mark II blazed its own trail with refined styling that could easily be mistaken for a mid-1960s car rather than one from ten years earlier. As we often hear, this former beauty “ran when parked,” though not for years. The seller confirms that the new owner should anticipate rust repairs. What Continental would be complete without a (faux) “Continental Kit?”
Continental did not nickel-and-dime Mark II buyers when it came to options. The seller reports “this car has the only option that was available: Air conditioning.” Four roof ducts air-conditioned each passenger from above, an optimal solution honoring the scientific premise that heat rises.
While based on an existing Lincoln V8, Continental engines were hand-assembled and balanced from the factory. Hemmings.com reported that the 368 cid V8 “was overmatched by the car’s weight, offering a 0-60 mph time of just under 16 seconds and an indicated top speed of 118 mph.” The Mark II’s engine compartment featured the sort of cosmetic attention to location and routing of mechanical components normally reserved for high-end customs. Restoration costs (perhaps chrome alone) will quickly eclipse this car’s asking price, but only about 3100 were built over the two years of production, and the car’s lofty goals, achieved or not, impart historical value to the Mark II. Do you see $7500 here?
That would make an awesome custom. So tired of seeing everybody do the 61-69 Continentals. Seems reasonably priced too.
Depending on the rust issue, this just might be a bargain…and you gotta love how the exhaust manifolds exit the engine compartment…
Umpteen thousand dollars to restore, but what an incredible work of art/luxury if/when completed.
The swim platform looks funny. But if its original need to keep it..it wouldn’t appeal to me but I bet it does to some and that’s cool
Swim platform?
I know its sacreligious, but the best approach to these needing a complete resto is probably restomod. Solves the problem of hard to find, expensive driveline parts. They are incredible pieces of history and should be saved one way or the other.
Just keep all the original stuff too, either installed or in boxes. But yeah, a restomod will keep it preserved, on the road, and in the minds of future restorers. 👍
Ford historians state that the company lost money, approximately $1000, on every Continental they produced. They were basically a hand built car, and were meant to compete in the luxury market with the Bentleys, RRs, and Mercedes.
They were a very impressive car in the day.
Bob
They are an impressive car today as well.
My favourite American car from the 1950s and, imho, the last of the true classic cars built in my homeland. (Remember, guys, I’m of a generation where ‘classic cars’, among the people who schooled me on old cars, had brand names like Marmon, Pierce-Arrow, and Duesenberg.)
I’d love to see it restored, but agree that it would be an interesting basis for a restomod.
Bob, the Continental Mk II was Ford’s Cadillac-beater in what was termed ‘The Fine Car Field’, i.e. Caddy and the last-gasp Senior Packards. You’re right that the company lost a grand on each one sold, but it was an ‘image car’ designed to bring people into showrooms and enhance the brand.
Cadillac responded with its Seville hardtop in the battle for sales supremacy at the top end of the market.
Always liked this body design
Think I would go making this a driver, do a restore-o-mod but taking all the original parts and crating them so if and when the time comes to go back to factory, parts are available.
(And Connie is a perfect name)
This is a six figure restore. That being said, please…no resto mod. If space is available? Buy, shrink wrap, place in corner. Your kids will thank you, after you’ve passed.
No, no, no. Restore as much as possible, upgrade where needed and drive to church…park in back of lot. Take to car shows. Put some personal care in it. Show it some love. She’s a beaut!!!
Yes!!! Just don’t wreck what’s there. Someone WILL restore this car. Let’s enjoy it in the meantime.
First time I saw a Mark II was at auction in Toronto, Canada with my father; it was in beautiful condition, an original Texas car. I still recall the interior smelling of leather and cigars… I was no more than 16 at the time, and have wanted one from that point on.
Carnuck, go for it !!!!
I don’t think it would be too expensive to turn this into a nice driver quality restomod. Considering the cost of bringing it back to original that, imho, is probably the best option. Plus you’d turn around the dog-like performance which can’t be a bad thing… Probably fairly rust free if it’s been in CA for the last 60 years.
Is the 462 from the same engine family? Need to keep those oh so cool valve covers! An extra 100 cubes couldn’t hurt, make it a more fun driver!
Sorry Scottymac, but the 368 is a y block, believe it or not. The 462 is from the MEL family.
Yes I do see $7500 here,these are starting to bring the money they deserve .They are works of art,as compared to say an air-cooled Porsche that everybody and his dog wants to “invest” in.The reality is that you show up in this and you make a statement,most of the cars that bring MUCH more than 7500,are bellybutton cars.IMNSHO
Unfortunately nobody is interested in making a statement anymore.
Somehow acceleration and cornering have become the only attributes that are important on a car.
I am surprised nobody has mentioned the lack of cornering ability or the fact that this car does not have tight steering.
The car won’t corner worth a darn and the steering sucks. There, I said it. All the more reason to restomod. Wouldn’t do it to an example in much better shape, but this one’s a perfect candidate. Plus you’d have a car that’s actually fun to drive, and not just a “statement,” which would spend most of its time in a garage.
This was my 1st 1/25 model car I ever built , have seen numerous ones in person at auctions, much better condition ones, always a stunning presence up close. Reputed to be very expensive to restore.
Capt Doug — Hate to dispute you since I understand early automotive recollections from childhood all too well. But if you “built” a model of this particular car back when it was new, it would have been 1/32 scale (Revell) or 1/18 scale (Ideal). Premier also made a crude assembly kit in approximately 1/28th scale that barely looked like the real thing. There was a promotional model produced during this timeframe by SMP/AMT in 1/25 scale, but it would not have been in kit form. From what I can tell, there has never been a proper 1/25 scale model kit of this lovely automobile.
How does one “make a statement ” from his garage ?
I show my cars,as well as race,and as somewhat of a comparable car to this Continental,my black on red 66 Toronado draws bigger crowds than my 65 Black L79 Vette roadster.Perhaps nobody cares to “make a statement ” on chat sites,but in the real world,it’s still a factor.Last time I checked,Bentleys are selling quite well.
Someone saw $7500. It disappeared QUICK!
Does anyone know if these ever came in any other color besides black or white?
Zero to 60 in 16 seconds? Yikes, that is 6 cylinder ratings.
I seriously do not believe that. That is so slow FoMoCo would NEVER have released a flagship car that would be overtaken by 6 cylinder sedans.
Did some looking and came up with a site stating 0 to 60 in 11 seconds. That I can believe.
power/weight ratio probs
gears/motor probs BUT;
that’s the only 1s I ever felt this vehicle had.
I agree w/others, 1 of the 2 – 3 best luxery vehicles of the time (& beyond).
Pic never do it the justice of having it by ur side.