The car is in the registry Barry, I believe my Dad posted on the Mkii forums I think it was you that answered some questions he had on the other forum It does still have the 368 We removed all the work the previous owner did on the convertible top and have now started to fit a 57 Ford tub to the car Also thanks for the help you have given to him
You know, the original Derham-made Mark II convertible blueprints exist, and I just happen to know the director of the car museum that has them. A properly done clone is worth far more than what you started with. There were two convertibles built by Alan Taylor in the '90s, I believe, a black one and a green one. Both of those have sold at 6 figures at one point or another. I could probably put you in touch with the owner of the Derham convertible, too.
Gordon Buehrig had nothing to do with the design. It was etched in stone before he was hired as body engineer. His task was to make the design buildable. He is responsible for the smallest A-pillar on a contemporary car.
While about half were ordered cars, they weren't pre-sold at all. In fact, many orders were cancelled due to slow delivery. They struggled to meet the goal of 2500 the first year, but really stumbled with only 444 made for 1957. The program had been cancelled in May of 1956 and Edsel took over the headquarters for the Continental Division in November of 1956, but they kept the assembly portion of the building running until the last of the ordered bodies were built. That's now Ford's Pilot Plant. The cars were heavily discounted by the end. It's told that the Continental Division lived on to make the Continental Mark III, but that was just a thinly disguised Lincoln trim level. There was no Continental Division after that. This is one of the mules made by Hess & Eisenhardt. It's '53 Lincoln sheet metal formed to fit the innovative Continental "cowbelly" frame.
I'm with you, Ryan. Mine has been long gone but I still have good feelings about my build. Currently owned by the LeMay family.
George Barris own personal '56. At last report, George's son Brett had bought the car back (off E-Bay!), and plans to restore it.
Not Lincolns, Continental was it's own separate division. It's like saying, "Ford Mercury", or "Lincoln Ford". Not to nitpick...;-)
Took a beautiful car and destroyed it and he won the Winfield award. Only because he was invited surely not for its looks. He also took the continental off the trunk
A lot of the customized examples remind me of what happened to custom cars in the 60s. More points for more changes, whether they look good and fit in the overall design or not. Bumpers that can't bump with headlights and taillights overhanging them, etc. It's a shame what some of the "pros" did to screw up this beautiful, classic design. I musta missed it, but there had to be a few with angel hair.
I saw this car for sale at a local consignment place earlier this year. https://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/1434-dfw/1956-lincoln-continental-mark-ii
Definitely a 80's build, tweed interior, billet dash, purple wiring covers. Would be a good start for a up date!
Hi! please do you have any information about the color? I’m looking exactly for this color! can you help me? Is it an Lincoln original color? Where can I find the color catalogue 56/57 with reference color? Thank you very much!
I'm hoing to get savaged for posting this, but my opinion is the Mark ll was one of the most simple, tasteful, and eye catching and luxurious designs in its STOCK configuration that emerged in the 50s from any manufacturer. It was not an over-chromed attempt to copy a spaceship, rather an understated and flowing example of the long hood/short deck design formula which was and still is accepted as classic today. These cars, to me, are factory-perfect, and with all due respect to those who modified them, they didn't need or benefit from the changes. One is on my list to own, and I can assure you it will be brought into factory stock . They make my FOMOCO heart race.
Dixon and Raven....I feel the same. At one of the big shows its just something I won't look at. 2 went thru Mecum this weekend and one had been made into a convert by the company that did it back when they were new... To me there was no other car made back then or even now that can match their look.. Hump on the back included..
I have a buddy that might have what you're looking for. I'll call and get back to you if you're still looking?
Actually(in answer to an earlier post) the headlights WERE frenched, but were disguised by the trim pieces(check the stock pictures). I've 'lusted' after these since the late '50s & finally acquired my "Holy Grail"( a '56) last month. Restoration is out($$$), but intend to have it as a driver(can't afford garage/trailer queens!!). For you registry people(it may already be in there) #1147. Haven't decided on wheels(No, the caps were long-gone), but leaning towards Halibrand "kidney-bean" "copies", or, if I were to go "spokes", the original ETs would be hard to beat, again Daytons would be great, but again "pricey". (full "moons", another old 'fav', would make this car a bit too 'Rock-a-Billy'). Something smooth & nearly 'plain' seems to be in order like '49-'50 or '75-'81 factory Lincoln wheel covers (the plain ones with a small logo in the center). I've just bought the car, so give me a break, as I've not narrowed it down as of yet. & NO, no chop or lowering here : it's a driver & needs to get into driveways! I do plan to improve as I run across the proper pieces, but at least the paint isn't too rough.
This is not a convertible. It's just a parade car. It's a clone of our Hess & Eisenhardt-made convertible made in 1955. The color is custom and is very close to the new Continental color. Lincoln borrowed my car for the winter the new car was in clay.
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