SOLD to Texas!! Interesting Facts: Ford created the Continental division, making the Mk II a Continental and in no way part of Lincoln. These were about the price of a new home ($10,000) and it was common for you to have to “qualify” to buy one of the 3,000 built when new. This was the most expensive American car made, targeted directly at the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Each example was painstakingly hand-built with the finest materials.

This consigned motorcar is a driver-quality 1956 Continental Mk II that is a great car for local shows and cars and coffee. This Mk II is not in the normal condition offered by Classic Promenade, but it is one of seven cars offered by us for a collector in Oregon. The car itself is very solid with a nice repaint and nice chrome, but the interior was done incorrectly in vinyl and a brocade fabric. Furthermore, it is the rare and desirable air conditioned model, but the air conditioning will need a significant recommissioning. This is the ideal car for local use as-is or a straightforward partial restoration of a nice, solid Mk II.

This Continental was built in December of 1955 and was originally black in color, with white and dark red leather interior. While we don’t know the history from new, we know that from the 1980’s it was owned for several decades by a couple in the dry Central Valley of California. This couple had the Mk II restored for significant costs, including stripping the car to bare metal and repainted in a beautiful and elegant beige. We do not know when the repaint was done, but it has held up fairly well. The main defects are a couple areas where the paint preparation was not sufficient and there are a couple areas where there are small bubbles appearing. It is fairly obvious that these are not significant rust bubbles, but more related to missed areas of body prep before the new paint was applied. These include just a couple areas that are quite small. Overall, the paint looks very nice and has wonderful sheen and luster. We are pleased to show you this in detail in a live video inspection.

The chrome and stainless trim are in overall nice condition. It is apparent that the bumpers and certain other items have been re-chromed during the restoration. The interior trim pieces have some light pitting, which we’ve seen on our own California since new Mk II’s. The large chrome door sill and jamb pieces have been chromed well and look very nice. The most significant issue for us is the interior, which has been re-trimmed improperly. It was done to the taste of the couple in California many years ago, and is in very nice condition today. But having been the caretaker of a Mk II in the past, we know that vinyl for the seat surface areas was not correct. The price is definitely adjusted accordingly, allowing for the new owner to keep it as is or bring it back to its original configuration.

The Mk II drives very nice and proves to be a very nice and solid car that has never been subjected to rust or significant issues. It seems likely that the mileage is correct and original at under 83,000 miles. The carburetor has been updated to an Edelbrock, making it a little more reliable and the newer wide white wall radials make it safer and handle better. It runs and drives very well and could be enjoyed on tours with little to no effort.

The air conditioning will be a project to be recommissioned, but worthy of doing so. Unlike most of the cars that we offer for sale, this has numerous little accessories that are not functioning. This car will require tinkering to get everything in order. The radio and antenna are not working. The drivers door glass has a crack in it and will need replacement. We have this priced right. The Hagerty No. 4 value is $31,460 for an air conditioned 1956 Mk II. We are pleased to review our inspection report with you and perform a live video inspection through FaceTime or Skype.

The Continental Mk II will always be one of the most significant post-War American cars and is considered a classic. This is an example of one that is very solid and ready to enjoy, yet priced to allow for substantial upside. For more details and information, call, text or email Harry Clark at +1.602.245.7200 or harry@classicpromenade.com. It is available for viewing in our Phoenix showroom.