1957 Lincoln Continental Mark II

Description

The Continental Mark II was revived in late 1955, produced by the Continental Division of Ford Motor Company and completely separate from Lincoln-Mercury. This version was a unique design with the highest quality control ever seen in the automobile industry. High-class luxury abounded in the new Continental and with very limited availability, it appeared even more exclusive than the original. This car was so exclusive, selling for $10,000 new, that celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Elvis and even President Dwight D. Eisenhower had to follow protocol from Ford to qualify for ownership.

Proof of the Mark II’s desirability is that almost 60 years after they were made, more than 50 percent of these cars survive. However, these Lincolns are becoming increasingly hard to find in such solid, well-kept condition.

Competition to this Lincoln in 1957 included Cadillac’s Eldorado Brougham.

This beautifully presented Continental features a 368 CID Y-block V-8 with a 408cfm Carter WCFB four-barrel carburetor, linked to a Turbo-Drive three-speed automatic transmission and backed by a 3.07:1 rear end. The engine breathes via dual exhausts. Driver assist features include factory air-conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, four-way power seats, power vent windows and power antenna.

Inside, the two-tone blue and white Bridge of Weir Scottish leather interior showcases the pinnacle of Continental design in the mid- to late 1950s. The four-way power seats, carpet and dashboard are all in overall very good shape, as are the three-spoke steering wheel, door skins, rear package shelf and shift lever. The headliner and mirrors are in good condition. Car has full instrumentation. Car still has its original Town and Country AM radio with two speakers and power antenna and there’s a Cartier clock.

This example was made in September of 1956 and is dressed in Starmist White (code 14) with blue/white Bridge of Weir Scottish leather interior (code 1N6B). It is one of 98 that came with factory air-conditioning and arrived in a special fleece-lined plastic and canvas envelope to protect its finish during transport.

Its Starmist White paint is in very good overall shape with a few minor blemishes on the hood near the windshield. All windows, mirrors and lights are crack-free and clear. All of the body panels are straight and solid, the exterior trim and the bumpers are in fine condition. The car rides on wide whitewall tires, P235/75R15, surrounding the original equipment wheels and wheel covers. The trunk has its spare tire immediately forward of the rear bumper and its air-conditioning condensing unit in the forward wall.