Since new models took several years to develop, industry spies knew what GM and Chrysler had planned for 1957 well in advance. Ford decided to beat them by a year with its super luxurious, super expensive new Continental, a revival of the 1940's flagship model.  Technically not a Lincoln, the Continental Mark II  featured the Lincoln hallmark spare tire hump in the trunk lid and was sold and serviced at Lincoln dealerships. The vehicle's drive train also came from Lincoln, thus causing many to think of the Mark II as a Lincoln. Well duh, what would you expect.

Styled by a team including John Reinhart, William Clay Ford, and Gordon Buehrig, the new Continental was intended to be the most luxurious and elegant American car available, not the biggest or most powerful. It was intended to be a cross between a full size Lincoln and the sporty Thunderbird. This would make it something entirely different from the huge, lumbering sedans luxury car owners were accustomed to. What emerged was something unlike other American car of the period. While other makes experimented with flamboyant styling, chrome everywhere, and all the glamour they could manage, the Continental Mark II was almost European in its simplicity of line and  understated grace.

The Continental's 4800 pound bulk was pushed along by the new standard 285 horsepower Lincoln 368 V8 and Multi Drive three speed automatic driving a 3.07 axle. Most of the car was effectively hand built to an exacting standard, including multiple coats of paint hand sanded and polished to perfection. Due to this manufacturing process the Continental Mark II cost $9966.00, as much as a Rolls Royce or two Cadillac Fleetwoods. The only option, air conditioning, easily pushed it past the $10,000.00 mark. Why the cheap SOBs couldn't throw in an air conditioner is beyond me. Famous owners included Elvis Presley and  Frank Sinatra, the Shah of Iran, Debbie Reynolds, Conway Twitty, and a cross section of the richest men in America. Presley and Sinatra's cars exist today and are featured in the gallery.

The Continental Division instituted a seven point quality control program, and each Mark II required twice as many man hours to build as a Lincoln. The quality of materials used in these cars was excellent, as Ford felt everything in their flagship should be the best. The standard four way power front seat could be covered in blemish free Bridge of Weir Scottish leather or a number of fabrics including matelasse, brocade and broadcloth; in all, there were 43 standard upholstery trim choices to complement the 19 standard exterior lacquer finishes. Rumors that donkey hide was available are unfounded. 

Other standard features included power steering, brakes, antenna and windows with tinted glass, a dual heating system, self regulating electric clock, carpeted trunk, an engine dress up kit, and a premium Travel Tuner AM radio with two speakers. Deaf people who ordered Contis got a radio, but no speakers. The  only option offered was air conditioning, and if so built, the condensing unit was housed in the trunk and four registers were set in the headliner to deliver cool air to the occupants.

Changes for  1957  were few. Four new metallic paint colors were added, and the air conditioning air intakes were relocated from the rear fenders to an area behind the grille. Engine power was increased from 285 to 300, but the factory's special process of shipping the $9,695 Mark II to dealerships in fleece lined plastic and canvas envelopes to protect its finish continued. 

The 1957 Continental had competition from the new Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, and this, combined with falling sales in a soft luxury car market,  sealed its fate. The Continental division dissolved faster than a 1958 Fury left in the rain, and the Mark II didn't return for 1958. While the proposed sedan, folding hardtop convertible and fuel injection didn't make production,  the premium coupe truly was, as expressed in an advertisement, "A motor car which, more than anything else, exemplifies the very finest expression of American automotive craftsmanship."

Due to its enormous price tag only 2556 were produced in 1956, and  444 in 1957. 2 convertibles were ordered by Ford and were built by Hess & Eisenhardt. Both survive today. Hess and Eisenhardt are both dead. Hey, whaddaya want from me? I didn't kill them.

Today approximately half of the cars still exist, about 1,500. Prices range between $8,000 for a running example in poor condition to around $70,000 in concourse condition.  The aforementioned Mark II owned by Elvis Presley which sold at a Las Vegas auction in 1999, went for $250,000. Hey, he's still alive, you know. 

In an attempt to retain some of the cachet of the Mark II, Lincoln named its top 1958 model the Continental Mark III. This differed from the lower Lincolns only in trim level and  roof treatment. it  featured a reverse angle power rear "breezeway" window that retracted behind the back seat. The feature was shared with some Mercury models. 

That year, full size Lincolns sold poorly; 1958 was a recession year. The new Lincoln was one of the largest cars ever made, larger than that year's Cadillac, and had styling considered by many to be excessive. 1959's lineup contained a Continental Mark IV model, and the 1960 lineup had a Continental Mark V, with more restrained styling than the 1958. All 3 years shared the same basic gigantic body, a big mistake in styling execution. Spoiled rich American crybabies tired of a design after a year or two, and demanded something new. When you gave it to them, they often refused to buy it, claiming that the previous design was more attractive. Go figure.

All in all, the series was an interesting exercise. Later Continentals were dramatically smaller; I suppose this was so you could actually fit the beast inside your garage.