Survivor Solid and Dry Driver Low Reserve

Here is a summary of the Mark II that I borrowed from Wikipedia:

Ford wanted a superior and standalone up-market brand aside from Lincoln. to compete with General Motors' Cadillac and Chrysler Corporation's Imperial brands. The new Continental was not intended to be the largest nor the most powerful automobile; rather. the most luxurious and elegant American car available. designed to recapture the spirit of the great classics of the prewar period—with prices to match. The Mark II's inspiration was the celebrated V12-powered Lincoln Continental of the 1940s. among the most notable cars of that War-interrupted decade.

Having considered using an outside design team. Ford turned inside to their own Special Products Division. In Fall 1952. they designated John Reinhart as chief stylist; Gordon Buehrig as the chief body engineer. assisted by Robert McGuffey Thomas; and Harley Copp as chief engineer. [2]Ford had wanted to use unibody technology. but Copp argued against such a choice for a high-brand/low volume model. which was required to be delivered into sale in a short time scale. [3]What emerged was something quite unlike other American cars of the period. While other makes experimented with flamboyant chrome-laden styling. the Continental Mark II was almost European in its simplicity of line and understated grace. There was something of the style of the early Ford Thunderbird at the front. with a tasteful egg-crate grille; a long. curving hood; and straight fenders to the headlights. The fender line went back to behind the doors. at which point the line kicked up a little before curving back down to the taillights.

Little chrome was used compared to other vehicles of the time. and the only two-tone paint combinations offered were limited to roofs being contrasted with bodies. The car had power steering. power brakes. power windows. power seats. power vent windows. and a tachometer. [1] The vanes on the wheel covers were individually bolted inside the frame of the cover. It sported a high greenhouse and a wraparound windscreen. Fueling was accomplished via a swingaway left taillight. The Continental Mark II had only one option. air conditioning. for $595. [1] Cars with A/C had different body parts. [4]

Most of the car was hand-built to an exacting standard. including the application of multiple coats of paint. hand sanding. double lacquering. and polishing to perfection.   For power. the Mark II featured the newly offered 368-cubic-inch (6. 03 L) Lincoln V8. Standard equipment in the Lincoln line. the engines selected for the Mark II were effectively factory blueprinted. assembled from the closest-to-specifications parts available. Turning out 285 hp (213 kW) in 1956. the engine was tuned to produce 300 hp (224 kW) in 1957. The engine was mated to a three-speed Lincoln automatic. and both engine and transmission were subject to extensive pre-release testing. In a 1956 report from Popular Mechanics. the Mark ll got 16. 7 mpg at 50 mph. [4]Its perimeter frame was of ladder form with a central spine between the transmission and the crossmember at the kick-up ahead of the rear wheels. The crossmember under the front seat was of box form. but all the other six. unusually. were made of tubing (with that at the transmission augmented by box members). A Mark II chassis was used to create the Lincoln Futura concept car.

The Mark II sold for around $10. 00. a rel="nofollow" href="http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Continental_Mark_II#cite_note-5">[5] the equivalent of a new Rolls-Royce or two Cadillacs (at least until the $13. 74 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham out-priced it in 1957). In spite of this. Ford estimated they still lost over a thousand dollars per car[6] on the 3. 00 that were built.   About 1. 00 were sold in the last quarter of 1955 after the car's October debut at the Paris Motor Show; another 1. 00 or so in 1956; and 444 in 1957. some with factory-installed air conditioning. Initially. Ford accepted losses on the Mark II in return for the prestige with which it endowed its entire product line; but after going public. tolerance for such losses fell.   Famous owners included Elvis Presley. Frank Sinatra. Elizabeth Taylor. the Shah of Iran. and a cross section of the richest men in America. Taylor's car was a gift from Warner Bros. studio. and was painted a custom color to match her distinctive eye color. [7]The car was featured in the 1956 film High Society. starring Sinatra. Bing Crosby. Grace Kelly. and Louis Armstrong.

This Mk II

  Serial #C567985. code 13-1- F4M-726-1  TT-60A . My research shows this was the 14th car built. and is the last of the pre-production cars.   It had been owned by a collector for thirty years until recently. and has always been maintained and driven. but never in the rain if possible and NEVER IN THE SNOW OR SALTY ROADS.   It really shows as being practically rust free.   The only perforation I could find on the body is one small spot by the right rear wheel well.   Everything else. including door bottoms. frame. headlight buckets. floors and trunk look fine.   The rust through seen in the photos are the mufflers.   The hinges for the trunk and hood are in good condition showing good body lines.   These tend to wear out leaving the hood high at the windshield.   All Mk II specific trim and special parts appear to be present. and the door opening limiters are there. they usually break then the door is free to open too wide and hit the front fender.   I have the original owners manual. a parts manual and some club magazines.

In 1968 the car was painted metallic brown. the vinyl top was added and the interior was dyed two tone brown and cream.   I imagine these colors looked pretty good in 1968.   They did a good job and it still shines. but the paint is failing. most so on the trunk. and there are small chips. scrapes and dings a plenty.   The drivers seat back has been patched with tape.   Originally the auto was Red.

There are some needs; tires are low mile but old and showing cracks. radio and power antenna do not function. passenger wing vent is cracked and not working.   The rest of the windows work. but if the driver window goes all the way down. it will stay there unless you give to door a Fonzi style thump while holding the switch.   The windshield wipers work. but the vacuum pump doesn't seem to so it only relies on engine vacuum. so it is inconsistent.   Windshield washer does not work.   At some point after market air conditioning was added.   The condenser has been removed.   Everything is there for the system. and the blower still works. but no cold air until it is set up again.   Leather on dash is split. Needs mufflers. and the exhaust system rattles when you floor it.   Hood needs a prop to stay open.   Drips a little oil.   It has the wrong heater control valves.   Seat rocks on its track. Needs new fuel filler hose.

The car runs fine.   It fires right up. runs and shifts well and even stops.   It is a real pleasure to tool around in. and it attracts many appreciative waves and comments.   It would be a fun driver with some minor attention. or would be an excellent candidate for a full restoration. particularly because of the lack of rust.    I have made every effort to honestly describe the condition of the car. nbsp; which is why I have seemed to say more bad then good.   It really is a fine and rare old classic that runs great and is a load of fun.   Please feel free to ask any questions and I will answer then as quickly as I can.   I will be happy to make the car available for inspection prior to the end of the auction.

Maine does not issue titles for older vehicles. so this machine will be sold with a Bill of Sale only.   Please check with your local DMV for transfer of ownership laws in you area.   This is an antique vehicle that will be sold as is where is with no guarantee regarding its condition. originality or history.   Seller is responsible for all shipping arrangements.   I will be happy to co-operate with your shipper so long as I have reasonable advance notice.   Payment must be made in full and clear my bank before delivery can be made.   I need a $500. 00 PayPal deposit within 24 hours of winning the bid. I am happy to accept personal checks that are from a reputable. verifiable US bank.   Cash is good if it can be arranged.   I will give the winning bidder one week free storage. Then I must charge a $3 (three dollar a day) storage fee.   The vehicle is stored in a locked storage unit. and will be kept safe until it is collected.

Also published at eBay.com

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