FORERUNNER PERSONAL LUXURY CAR - 1956 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK II

Description

BEFORE PERSONAL LUXURY CARS WERE CREATED IN THE SIXTIES SUCH AS THE BUICK RIVIERA AND THE OLDSMOBILE TORONADO, FORD REVIVED THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK SERIES. THE CONTINENTAL MARK I WAS A DREAM CAR OF EDSEL FORD DEVELOPED IN THE FORTIES. SO FOR THE 1956 MODEL YEAR FOMOCO BROUGHT OUT THE CONTINENTAL MARK II. A MAJOR STYLING CUE WAS THE "CONTINENTAL KIT" SPARE TIRE MOUNTING ON THE TRUNK, A CARRY-OVER FROM THE MARK I. THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT FOR FORD TO RECAPTURE THE HIGHER END MARKET OF LUXURY CARS. THE DESIGN YOU SEE HERE IS THE WINNER CHOSEN FROM 13 DESIGN SUBMISSIONS. THE LONG-HOOD AND SHORT-DECK CONCEPT WAS CONTINUED WITH A LONG LIST OF DIFFERENT MAKES OVER THE YEARS. EACH MARK II BODY CONSUMED SIXTY HOURS OF HAND LABOR MAKING THIS VEHICLE ESSENTIALLY A HAND BUILT CRAFTSMEN CAR. POWERED BY A 368 CID V-8, THE ENGINE PRODUCED 285 HORSEPOWER. INTERIORS WERE FINISHED IN BROADCLOTH AND NYLON, OR AS IN THE CASE OF THIS MARK, LEATHER FOUND ON THE SEATS AND DOORS. CONTINENTALS HAD TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE SHOCK ABSORBERS TO ATTAIN THE LUXURY FEEL OF RIDE CONTROL. THE WHEELBASE OF THESE MARKS IS 126 INCHES. THE STARTING PRICE AN ASTOUNDISING $10000! 1956 DOLLARS! EACH MARK WENT THROUGH INTENSE TESTING AND INSPECTIONS AND FINALLY SHIPPED TO DEALERS IN FLEECE LINED CLOTH COVERS AND THEN WRAPPED IN A LARGE PLASTIC BAG! WHAT MAKES THIS CAR RARE IS THE FACT THAT ONLY 3012 MODELS WERE MADE FOR 1956-57. FORD DROPPED THIS MARK II AFTER 1957 COMPLETELY BECAUSE IT WAS UNPROFITABLE. IMAGINE THAT.

Keywords

CAR, SHOW, 002

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