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Topic starter
16/02/2022 10:26 am
A Different Kind of LINCOLN
My coffee is poured and I'm ready for some Car Talk involving the NEW Continental designated the MARK II by its builder, the Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company. It offered all accessories except air conditioning as standard equipment. In 1956 the $10,000 price tag was a bit on the hefty side, but in spite it the Mark II found its way to 3,000 customers during it's 18-month life span.
It was truly a uniquely styled and different looking personal car for those who wanted and could afford the best. The interior room, especially in the back seat, was limited; the trunk compartment offered less than ample luggage space; and it was heavy on gasoline consumption. But, despite all of this, the Continental offered something that other American cars were lacking at the time --- Simple Beauty.
It was built primarily as a coupe, but a convertible was also available. The car tipped the scales at a whopping 4,825 pounds and was completely outfitted with all the deluxe equipment generally considered to be optional on most other cars. With an air-conditioner added, the weight registered at 5,190 pounds. Its 368 cubic inch engine developed 285 horsepower, with a wheel base of 126 inches.
The lines and look of the car made you automatically spin-around to take a second look. Something else to look at was the placement of the spare tire that was mounted within the deck lid, which was somewhat reminiscent of earlier Continentals. And the wheel covers gave the appearance of wire spokes from a distance, but they were full covers with slotted openings to aid brake cooling.
All models were identical from 1956 through 1957. For those interested in production numbers, the breakdown goes like this: 1,231 built in late 1955 (as 1956 models), 1,325 produced in 1956, and only 444 turned out in 1957.
So with my second cup of coffee in my cup, I find myself pondering what could have been for this remarkable automobile. Should Ford Motor Company have continued with it, or was it a wise decision to curtail it to a pleasant memory of a car that surely was something different and special?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Topic starter
16/02/2022 10:35 am
On a side note to my ramblings above, for us 1:24 scale diecast model lovers, Franklin Mint gave us several colors of the Continental in both the Coupe and the Convertible. Like the Continental itself, they are works of art.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
16/02/2022 10:39 am
It does seem a shame that this car wasn't carried on with for many more years. Sadly it was a car that Ford lots a lot of money on per unit produced so I appreciate why it was left as a short lived design statement. Just look at how successful the 1969 Lincoln Continental MK III was though; it appears that the market may have been present for such a car; even in the late 50s.
It would have been nice if Ford had morphed this basic clean and trim design into the creation of the '58 thru '60 Lincoln. It would have been an improvement IMHO.
George Schire and George Schire reacted
16/02/2022 11:57 am
I love the Mark II. The units produced in 1955 were 1956 models which debuted in the last quarter of 1955. No such car as a '55 Mark II. The Mark II was offered to the general public in coupe form only. The convertible I believe was a one-off produced solely for a member of the Ford family. Sad that the Mark II lasted only 2 model years. I would have liked to see production through 1960 along with the Mark III. I would have named the '58 - '60 Mark III as a Lincoln, not a Continental Mark III. For me both designs are beautiful, but different enough to stand on their own.
John Bono
North Jersey
16/02/2022 12:03 pm
I always saw a lot of Thunderbird in that design and if Ford went more
sports car with the Tbird (like Chevy and corvette)
then the Mark II would/could have been that sporty
personal
luxury car.
Frank Reed
Chesapeake, VA
16/02/2022 12:34 pm
Such a beautiful car.
Retired in Dunedin, Florida.
George Schire and George Schire reacted
17/02/2022 3:37 am
interesting commentary, thanks George. One of the very rare occasions where I bought a repaint. I have a blue and a black Continental.
Topic starter
17/02/2022 7:33 am
interesting commentary, thanks George. One of the very rare occasions where I bought a repaint. I have a blue and a black Continental.
It's one of the cars that I wish I'd bought every repaint, and didn't. I only have the BLACK Coupe. With regard to "repaints", I was in favor of them and usually bought as many of the color variations that I could. It was my thought that the real cars came in various colors, so why not have the replica's on my shelf as well. But for some reason I missed jumping on those Continental's.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
17/02/2022 9:20 am
A beautiful car. You can read about the convertible prototypes here.
There was also a lot of work done on a Mark II with a retractable roof, though it never saw production. They even considered a sedan to be called the "Berline". You can see a fascinating article with some great pics over at Carscoops by clicking here.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
17/02/2022 9:41 am
The Mark II is an elegant car no doubt. I guess I'm the odd man out but I have always considered the 56 Premier a much more beautiful design.
17/02/2022 10:07 am
Thanks for the heads-up on the article John, it was excellent.
I have seen a number of these cars over the years and have to say that although it is striking generally it just doesn't excite me. Something just was off with it. I could never put my finger on exactly what made me feel that way but having read the article JK recommended, I now see it was the shape of the windshield. It stands up far too straight and is at odds with the styling flow of the car's lines. Having said that though, I really do wish that Ford had gone with the Berline style for its 1958 offering as it is much leaner looking and far more attractive.
17/02/2022 10:08 am
The Mark II is an elegant car no doubt. I guess I'm the odd man out but I have always considered the 56 Premier a much more beautiful design.
Well Bob if you're the odd man out then that makes two of us as I like the '56 Lincoln Premier far more.