My newest project, 1957 Continental that was originally black with white and grey interior lots of surface rust but actually very solid and a strong runner. I’m not sure where to go with this, mild custom is what I want out of it most but part of me feels a little guilty due to the low production number.
Those only need a little lowering, wheels and tires, and a paint job to look good. Custom from the factory!
Eric, Ryan has had some threads about the Continentals. Here is one: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1956-57-lincoln-continental-mark-ii.216078/
I agree, these were custom from the factory. The factory lost money on each one sold because they were so expensive to build. I would just do some mild clean up touches to make it stand out with a killer paint job. But stay away from those freaky ass big diameter wheels and rubber band tires.
Wheel wise I’m just thinking premier caps since they are a little cleaner looking than the factory covers.
That is in good shape, the headlights are not falling out of it like most of the ones that were around here.
That left fender is the worst part of the car. It was cobbled together out of two crappy ones way back. I hope to find a replacement or I’ll repair this one.
best blast the whole thing to really see what you have - low production = expensive good parts - forget all of the flip top work - just chop the top because roof too tall for body - have fun
Eric, thanks for saving this. I'm sure that you're already aware, but just I case, refer to the thread before this one.
Part of the problem is that EVERY one of these has a "Low Production Number" because so few were built!! For BOTH years ('56-'57) COMBINED, a total of 3014 cars were built.
One of my all time favorite cars! I'd lower it. Put nice wheels like Cragars or Keystones. Mild built motor, Ford of course, with deep mellow exhaust. Then I'd drive the heck out of it.
One of the best FOMOCO’s of all time. Get all the trim off you can and bead blast is great advice. Do not be afraid of the 368. Adaptors for a better trans are available; I’d be thinking GM 200R.
Back in the day,,,they were a work of art! And,,,oh yeah,,,,they always say they are losing money. I have never worked for a millionaire yet that ever made a dime. They are always losing their shirts! Lol ! Tommy
If you want to make a folding top, then it makes sense to make the top a little more compact. The crown of the roof is weirdly far back on these so i pulled it forwards . The C pillars are super thick, which only appears more extreme when you chop it. I leaned the rear screen forwards and extended the rear quarter windows back a little to slim the pillars and also took a couple of inches out of the front screen. Enough people seem to make these into convertibles, so i wouldn´t worry too much about chopping it up a bit, as long as it´s tastefully done.