Luxury On Wheels
There are cars and then, there are ultra-legendary automobiles. The very definition of elegance. You will get to know about one such timeless luxury in this article. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about The Continental Mark II.
Ford's Ultra-Luxury Flagship
The Continental Division of Ford sold the Continental Mark II for the 1956 and 1957 model years. This first (and only) Continental product line was created as Ford Motor Company's global flagship car. Many prominent personalities, like the 34th US President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, have owned it.
Rex Gray, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Reviving The Lincoln Continental Legacy
The Mark II was developed as a successor to the 1939–1948 Lincoln Continental. As the priciest American-produced automobile of its era, it was positioned to compete with the Bentley Continental and the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. This two-door hardtop coupe was made largely by hand.
Lincoln Continental 1939 by King Rose Archives
How It Came Into Existence
Ford built the Mark II at Allen Park Body and Assembly in Allen Park, Michigan. After the Mark II was discontinued, the facility was turned into the headquarters of the doomed Edsel brand. It is still used today as the Ford Pilot Plant.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Debut
The Continental Mark debuted at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955, one year and 8 months after the Ford Thunderbird personal luxury car (roadster), a two-passenger vehicle. The debut took place at the Ford Motor Company headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, United States.
Morven, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Market Reception
During its launch, the Continental Mark II's stunning appearance and potent performance enthralled the market. It was well received, and among the wealthy, the car became a prestige symbol. The model fulfilled and surpassed expectations, which solidified its status as a significant milestone in the history of luxury cars.
1956 Continental Mark II in Burgundy on My Car Story with Lou Costabile by Lou Costabile
America's Priciest Car In 1956
The Mark II was the priciest domestically built car available in the US at that time, with a base price of $9,966 ($113,352 in 2023 dollars). Its single optional feature was a $595 air conditioner, which is now worth $6,800.
Wayne Carini and Ed Welburn check out a stunning 1956 Continental Mark II by Wayne Carini Official
Y-Shaped Frame And Body-On-Frame Design
The body-on-frame chassis design is used in the construction of the rear-wheel-drive Continental Mark II. The model employs a Y-shaped frame made specifically for the model line to lower its body and maximize the usage of dual exhausts.
Speed-Sensitive Shock Absorbers
A fully boxed crossmember was put under the front seats, with six tube-style crossmembers located through the remainder of the chassis. Moreover, the front wheels of the Mark II were equipped with speed-sensitive shock absorbers to improve the handling and ride.
Engine Power Boosted With Enhanced Design Features
The engines' output rose from 285 horsepower in 1956 to 300 in 1957. Not only that, the engine featured special finned, cast-aluminum valve covers. And a customized oil pan was required to provide the required volume of oil for extremely steep grades.
Powertrain Specifications
With its 368 cubic-inch (6.0L) V8 engine, the Mark II would produce 285–300 horsepower and 402–415 lb-ft of torque. The powerful engine offered a smooth driving experience. Especially with a 3-speed automatic transmission, its powertrain combined old-world charm and modern-day precision.
Valder137, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Designed As A Range, Delivered As A Singular Icon
Although the Mark II two-door hardtop coupe was the only model to go into production, Continental was originally intended to be a three-model range. It was over four inches shorter, two inches narrower, and more than three inches lower than the Lincoln Premiere and Capri.
Test Drive - 1956 Continental Mark II! by Classic Promenade
Simplicity In Luxury Design
The Mark II's body was conservatively designed, with chrome only found on the bumpers, rocker panels, grille, and window trim, an extensive contrast to other American luxury vehicles. Except for a body accent line on the doors and fenders, the body was not given many curves.
Valder137, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Modernized Trunk With Iconic Tire Design
Ford engineers repositioned the vertical tire within the trunk to modernize the Continental tire stylistic feature. As the spare tire remained vertically mounted, the tire bulge design was added to enable the trunk lid to close. See more design details in the next slides.
Morven, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Design Schemes And Exterior Colors
The Mark II came in a total of 43 interior design schemes (including 5 interior textiles) and 19 conventional exterior colors. Contrary to other luxury goods sold by rival companies, two-tone paint combinations were not supplied.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Hand-Built Excellence With Lincoln-Inspired Design
Ford Motor Company aimed to position the Continental model line as the highest-quality American automobile to justify its exclusive price. The Mark II was primarily hand-built, in line with the coachbuilt cars of the 1930s, and shared its design with the standard Lincoln model line.
1956 Continental Mark II by What it's like
Graceful Curves And Iconic Design
The car had long, low lines, flaunting a magnificent design of its era. With its subtle curves and distinctive grille, Mark II gave a dynamic look. Its streamlined appearance is further enhanced by the integration of the spare tire into the trunk lid.
1957 Continental Mark II /// Ford's hand built folly by Two Guys and a Ride
Redefining American Luxury With European Elegance
The Mark II was developed with the ambition to incorporate prestige and be comparable to the finest European automobile. It was designed to reinvent what a luxury automobile in the United States could be. The car, indeed, turned out to be a masterpiece.
1957 Continental Mark II /// Ford's hand built folly by Two Guys and a Ride
Stunning Design
Ford took inspiration from both sides of the Atlantic while designing the Mark II. The car's size and presence were still American, but its sleek lines and understated grace were influenced by European aesthetics. That design was a balance between tradition and modernity.
Attention To Detail, Inside And Out
Every element of the Mark II was created with attention to detail—the hood ornament that serves as a sightline, the recessed headlamps, and the covert fuel filler cap that can be accessible through the flip-up tail light. It's safe to say that they did not forget functionality.
1956 Continental Mark II in Gray & Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile by Lou Costabile
Distinctive Interior
Although the Continental was primarily designed to be a luxury car, its interior features were meant to make it more unique than the average American luxury car. Located 8 inches farther back than in a Lincoln, the wraparound windshield was a key component of the interior design.
1956 Continental Mark II in Gray & Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile by Lou Costabile
Size And Weight
The coupe, which was 218.4 inches long and had a 126-inch wheelbase, weighed 4,825 pounds without air conditioning and 5,190 pounds with it. The trunk bulge that covered the upright spare wheel of the original Continental was featured on Lincolns for decades to come.
Unique Steering And Gauge Design
The Continental Mark II had a vertically angled steering wheel with a complete set of gauges clustered behind it, which marked it apart from Lincoln and Mercury automobiles of the era. Now, it's time to look at the equipment this elegant vehicle had.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Advanced Standard Features
Mark II came with a long list of standard features for the era. The equipment included power steering, power windows, power brakes, power vent windows, power seats, and complete instrumentation, which included a low-level fuel alarm and a tachometer.
Test Drive - 1956 Continental Mark II! by Classic Promenade
Blueprinted Engine And Hand-assembled Wheels
Each Continental Mark II engine was essentially factory-blueprinted. The engine was disassembled and reassembled following multiple performance and quality-control inspections after being chosen from the Lincoln production line. Moreover, each of the four wheel covers was hand-assembled with separately fastened vanes.
Scottish Leather And Lacquer Paint Define Luxury
Bridge of Weir leather, which was imported from Scotland, was used throughout the interior. Continental opted for the vat dye procedure because they believed the leather would wear better. While metallic-style exterior paints were popular on American luxury automobiles in the 1950s, Continental adapted lacquer-based paint colors.
1956 Continental Mark II's | Edsel Ford Family | Ocala Florida | NPD Collection by MyClassicCarTV
Quality Standards
Ford Motor Company came up with seven major initiatives for Continental during the formation of the Continental division by Ford Special Products. This was done in an effort to create the strictest quality control measures ever observed in the American auto industry.
1957 CONTINENTAL MARK II COUPE DETAILED VIDEO WITH START! by Daniel Schmitt & Co.
Comprehensive Quality Control Through Seven Key Initiatives
The seven initiatives by the company were Quality Specifications, Receiving Inspection, Initial Sample Inspection, Additional Manufacturing Attention, Top Management Action, In-Plant Inspection and Testing, and Field Service. Every employee at the assembly factory was included in the quality control program.
Key People In Development
William Clay Ford, part of the family's next generation, led a team that developed the Continental Mark II. Design chief John Reinhart, chief engineer Harley Copp, and body engineer Gordon Buehrig contributed to the car's blend of beauty, performance, and sophistication.
Jimmy Tafoya, Wikimedia Commons
Development Of Mark II
At just the age of 30, Clay Ford was heading the team of engineers and stylists who were working around the clock to make Mark II a reality. The results echoed their hard work and a luxurious car with clean lines and understated trim was ready.
JOHN LLOYD, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Quality And Precision
A lot of emphasis was given to the quality during the manufacturing of this car. Suppliers' parts went through rigorous checks and the factory components were tested meticulously. Workers were urged to report even the slightest flaws so that they could be fixed before the automobile left the factory.
Henry Ford's Attorney's 1956 Continental Mark II by The Story Behind The Car
Classic Features
Ford set forth several design objectives for this car. He intended the styling to be based on clean, classic lines instead of modernistic innovations. Moreover, he also focused on technological advancements. With these objectives in mind, he ended up giving birth to a classy automobile.
Special Features
He also focused on special features to enhance Mark II's value to the customer when it comes to performance, comfort, safety, durability, and prestige. Moreover, the engine, transmission, rear axle, and suspension were to be as interchangeable as possible with Lincoln chassis components.
Startup Video - 1956 Continental Mark II! New by Classic Promenade
Dynamics
Ford's dedication toward the development of Mark II is evident in its great dynamics and mechanical excellence. With a weight and balance system designed to provide a powerful and refined ride, the car's handling is composed. It offered a quality driving experience with its unparalleled performance.
1956 Continental Mark II's | Edsel Ford Family | Ocala Florida | NPD Collection by MyClassicCarTV
Performance Metrics
With metrics that demonstrate its capability, the Mark II is a quiet road warrior. It is safe to say that it is the definition of a luxury liner and a thoroughbred racer, with a top speed of 123 mph and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 11 seconds.
1956 Continental Mark II's | Edsel Ford Family | Ocala Florida | NPD Collection by MyClassicCarTV
How Many Were Produced?
A total of 3,005 Continental Mark IIs were produced, including 3 prototypes and 13 pre-production vehicles. Although a convertible was never produced, two 1956 Mark IIs were turned into convertibles on an official basis.
A Star Car In Hollywood Classics
The Continental Mark II was featured in several movies and shows, including the 1956 film High Society, which starred Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, and Louis Armstrong. With its popularity among celebs and appearance on screen, Mark II was nothing less than a Hollywood superstar.
Impact On Pop Culture
The Mark II is known for mirroring the American dream of the mid-20th century. Its reputation as a cultural icon was solidified by its connections to well-known figures and media appearances. Some of the elite owners included Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and even Jayne Mansfield.
1957 Continental Mark II on film !!! by Ruesbrary
Jayne Mansfield's Customized Continental Mark II
Many are diehard fans of the late American actress Jayne Mansfield, but what was she a fan of? Apparently, it was the ultra-luxury coupé Continental Mark II. She used to own a customized one, modified by the king of custom cars himself.
20th Century Fox, 1957, Wikimedia Commons
One-Of-A-Kind Continental
The American Superstar wanted her Mark II to be unique; she wasn't satisfied with merely having a fancy car. So, with the help of American designer George Barris, she got her car transformed into a work of art fit for her.
Scalhotrod, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Elvis Presley And His Mark II
The late, legendary American singer and actor, Elvis Presley, bought a Continental Mark II on August 6, 1956. It was serial number 3286, a white automobile with beige and white leather inside, and factory air conditioning. Find out the other celebrities who owned one in the next slides.
Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Elizabeth Taylor's Gift
Another popular figure who owned this car was Elizabeth Taylor. She received her Continental Mark II as a gift from Warner Bros. for her role in the movie Giant. The car of the Oscar-winning actress was made with custom paint that personified her violet eyes.
Nelson Rockefeller's Mark II
It wasn't just the entertainment industry that loved Mark II, various political leaders also owned this model. This car was winning hearts everywhere. For instance, the 41st Vice President of the United States, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, used to own one.
Unknown, The White House, Wikimedia Commons
Dwight Eisenhower's Mark II
The 34th president of the United States, Dwight David Eisenhower, also was the owner of a Continental Mark II. Elites were happy with the performance and design of this car, which made the hard work done by Ford totally worth it.
White House, Wikimedia Commons
Mark II's Legacy
The Mark II two-door hardtop was the exclusive model developed by the Continental, however, several of its elements would live on in other Ford automobiles. The Continental Mark II marks the start of the Mark series in the history of the Lincoln brand.
Test Drive - 1956 Continental Mark II! by Classic Promenade
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