1956 Continental Mark II, 84,631 Miles, Presidential Black on White

Description

1956 Continental MKII finished in Presidential Black over a White Leather Interior with black carpets. a 368c.i. V8 factory-rated at 285hp and 402lb-ft of Torque and backed by a Multi-Drive Automatic Transmission. Features include a 4bbl carb, Dual Exhaust, Full Wheel Covers, Wide Whites, Power Steering, Power Seat, Power Windows, Full Instrumentation, and a Fully Carpeted Trunk.According to MKII Registry, it was purchased new by former California State Senator Luther E. Gibson at Larry Webb Motors in Vallejo. CA. It was also formerly owned by renowned local collector Ken McBride. Although not in the original color combination of Admiralty Blue on Blue, the decision to change the color during restoration to Presidential Black on white could easily be argued to be a smart choice. At 62 years of age this MKII is still looking elegant and fit.The 1956 Continental is renowned as one of the most beautiful cars created in the 1950's. They were built under the "Continental" division of Ford and under the direction of William Clay Ford, who was Henry Ford II's younger brother. It was Ford’s effort to build a hand-built luxury car on the level of Bentley or Rolls-Royce. While the drive-train utilized Lincoln components, the Continental Mark II was manufactured by Ford Motor Co.’s Continental Division and sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. Standard Mark II equipment included power steering, brakes, seat, windows and wind wings; white sidewall tires; AM radio; tachometer; leather upholstery; carpeting; and heater. Thus, the Continental Mark II had a MSRP of $10,400 (the equivalent of $86,500 today). This was about double the cost of a contemporary Cadillac or Lincoln, and well into the Rolls-Royce/Bentley range. The only available option for domestic buyers was air conditioning, a $595 option, which also included tinted windows, side scoops in the rear fenders (on 1956 models) and 8.20 x 15 whitewall tires over the standard 8.00 x 15 tires.Ford created the Continental Mark II to refresh its styling from the 1940's and present it as the company's "image" car. It was the first time that a car used the "modern perimeter frame" in its build which created a lower center of gravity, better handling, and a more headroom - without needing to raise the roofline. With the addition of the new Multi-Drive automatic transmission, Ford no longer needed GM branded transmissions in their vehicles. In it's Day, the Mark II was a car of "the rich and famous". The Shah of Iran, Howard Johnson of hotel and restaurant fame, President Dwight Eisenhower and his brother Milton, Senator Barry Goldwater, Nelson Rockefeller, film producer Darryl F. Zanuck, actress Hedy Lamarr, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley each owned a Mark II.Ford Motor Co. produced 2,600 Mark II's through the 1956 model year and only 444 examples in the first part of 1957. The Continental Mark II was one of the most handsome automobiles produced in the late 1950's and is certainly a milestone car. Of the 3,044 Mark II models produced, about half have survived, leaving approximately 1,500 MKII's (give or take) to be enjoyed today. - Click the "Buy it Now" - Don't let this one get away!