1956 Continental Mark II

This 1956 Continental Mark II was completed as one of approximately 2,550 first-year coupes. Power is provided by a 368ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, and the car is finished in black over camel leather upholstery. Features include a limited-slip differential, 15â?³ steel wheels, power steering, and front disc brakes in addition to a power-adjustable front bench seat, an aftermarket stereo, and air conditioning. Continental was introduced as a stand-alone luxury subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company with the debut of the Mark II at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955. Designed by Fordâ??s Special Product Operations team consisting of William Clay Ford, John Reinhart, Gordon Buehrig, and Harley Copp, the Mark II was offered as the brandâ??s sole model and carried a base price of approximately $10,000. Just 2,994 coupes were produced between 1956 and 1957. The car has been refinished in black and features a hood ornament, a wrap-around windshield, a driver-side mirror, an egg-crate grille, chrome bumpers and trim, and dual exhaust outlets that exit through the rear bumper. The driver-side taillight swings away to reveal a fuel filler, and a spare tire hump is integrated into the decklid. Steel 15â?³ wheels wear turbine-style covers and are mounted with 235/75 Coker Classic whitewall tires. The Mark II rode on a Y-shaped chassis with a 126â?³ wheelbase and utilized temperature-sensitive front shock absorbers as well as additional suspension components adapted from the standard Lincoln lineup.