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In 1956 two brand new Mark II coupes were damaged in transit from Detroit to Chicago. Both cars had damaged roofs. Ford's Chicago district had these Mark II's made into convertibles by Hess & Eisenhardt of Cincinnati, OH, a company with a long-standing relationship with Ford marketing.
The Continental Mark II was introduced in October 1955 at the Paris Auto Show. It was offered in only one body style, a two-door hardtop coupe, and was a virtually hand-assembled car priced at $10,000. The Mark II was powered by a factory blueprinted (the parts being hand-selected) Lincoln V8 engine with 368 cubic inches. Every luxury feature known in 1956 was available on this car, and all were standard except air conditioning, a factory option, and the electric eye dimmer.
The Continental Mark II was introduced in October 1955 at the Paris Auto Show. It was offered in only one body style, a two-door hardtop coupe, and was a virtually hand-assembled car priced at $10,000. The Mark II was powered by a factory blueprinted (the parts being hand-selected) Lincoln V8 engine with 368 cubic inches. Every luxury feature known in 1956 was available on this car, and all were standard except air conditioning, a factory option, and the electric eye dimmer.
The introduction of the Continental Mark II marked the return of a timeless classic originally designed by E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie and Edsel Ford in 1940. With its elegant design and understated beauty, the Mark II reminded the world of just how beautiful an American production automobile could be.
Like its predecessors, the Mark II was an instant classic. Unlike the flashy American style of the time, there was no need for the Mark II to be flamboyant. It did not use chrome or sharp styling cues. Instead, it had a long hood, short deck, and near-perfect proportions.
Continentals were loaded with convenience features. These luxurious rolling works of art came with a hefty price tag - nearly $10,000 - equivalent to that of a Rolls-Royce.
This Continental Mark II convertible is the first of three for the Ford Motor Company. Only two convertibles are known to exist today.
All Mark II convertibles started as a Stock Sports Coupe, as they were called by the Continental Factory. They were then sent to a custom shop and converted to convertibles.
The Continental engines were blueprinted and run on a dyno before being installed in the cars. It's a 369 cubic-inch engine with a 4-barrel carburetor, rated at 285 horsepower. The car weighs about 5,300 pounds.
The 56 Mark II is the first of Ford's products with ladder frame construction. This allowed for foot wells, which meant they could produce cars which were built much lower to the road.
A stock Mark II was $10,000 in 1956. Derham and Hess & Eisenhardt both estimated a convertible conversion to cost $18,000 to custom build. That's why there were so few Mark II convertibles.
Like its predecessors, the Mark II was an instant classic. Unlike the flashy American style of the time, there was no need for the Mark II to be flamboyant. It did not use chrome or sharp styling cues. Instead, it had a long hood, short deck, and near-perfect proportions.
Continentals were loaded with convenience features. These luxurious rolling works of art came with a hefty price tag - nearly $10,000 - equivalent to that of a Rolls-Royce.
This Continental Mark II convertible is the first of three for the Ford Motor Company. Only two convertibles are known to exist today.
All Mark II convertibles started as a Stock Sports Coupe, as they were called by the Continental Factory. They were then sent to a custom shop and converted to convertibles.
The Continental engines were blueprinted and run on a dyno before being installed in the cars. It's a 369 cubic-inch engine with a 4-barrel carburetor, rated at 285 horsepower. The car weighs about 5,300 pounds.
The 56 Mark II is the first of Ford's products with ladder frame construction. This allowed for foot wells, which meant they could produce cars which were built much lower to the road.
A stock Mark II was $10,000 in 1956. Derham and Hess & Eisenhardt both estimated a convertible conversion to cost $18,000 to custom build. That's why there were so few Mark II convertibles.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1956 Continental Mark II Convertible Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Continental Mark II Convertible
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 Continental Mark II Convertible by Derham Chassis#: C56G3190 Sold for USD$296,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1956 Continental Mark II Convertible Conversion Chassis#: C56B1931 Sold for USD$63,800 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1956 Continental Mark II Convertible Sold for USD$93,500 2019 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1956 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK II CUSTOM TOPLESS ROADSTER Chassis#: C5613309 Sold for USD$39,050 2014 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas | |
1956 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK II 2 DOOR SEDAN Chassis#: C56D2830 Sold for USD$39,600 2014 Barrett-Jackson - Reno Tahoe | |
1956 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK II Sold for USD$42,000 2014 McCormick's - Palm Springs # 56 | |
1956 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK II Chassis#: C56E2943 Sold for USD$50,400 2014 Barrett-Jackson's 43RD Annual Scottsdale Auction | |
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II 368/300 HP, Automatic Sold for USD$62,000 2013 Mecum - Kansas City | |
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II Sold for USD$40,700 2013 Worldwide Auctions - The Burt Collection | |
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II Sold for USD$18,500 2013 Mecum Auctions - Dallas 2013 | |
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II Convertible Sold for USD$82,500 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1956 LINCOLN MARK II CONVERTIBLE Sold for USD$63,800 2011 Auctions America - Auburn Fall Auction |
Continental Mark II Convertibles That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 Continental Mark II Convertible's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II | 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $45,000 | |||
1956 LINCOLN MARK II | 2014 Mecum Houston | $37,500 | |||
1956 Lincoln Mark II | 2013 Mecum Auction Chicago | $28,000 |
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1956 Continental Mark II Convertible
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