The Continental Mark II, a styling masterpiece was largely hand-built in a limited production run during the model years of 1956-57. It was one of the most outstanding cars ever built in America. The Mark II two-door coupe was built under the direction of 26-year-old William Clay Ford, who was Henry Ford II's younger brother. The younger Ford was put in charge of a new "Continental Division," which came up with the Mark II concept. A very exclusive luxury coupe to rival Rolls Royce and Bentley cars and would outshine the current Cadillac models. The MK II was the most expensive American car you could buy at the time with a price tag of around $10,000 when a comparable 1956 Cadillac Coupe DeVille was priced starting at just under $5000. Celebrities loved the big Continental Coupe and owners included; Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis, Doris Day, Dwight Eisenhower, Nelson Rockefeller, and the Shah of Iran, just to name a few!
This 1957 model year Continental was built in October of 1956 and according to the Mk II database was originally finished in Starmist White with a White and Red interior. Not much is known of the early history of the car but eventually it ended up with a Mr. Urban of CA and then was sold in 2012 to the late Ken Guab of Ken Guab Ministries in Yakima WA a well known traveling minister, speaker, and car collector. Ken had a nice collection of collector vehicles, he had owned a few MK II Continentals over the years, this car was acquired from his estate last year. The car looks to have been partially refreshed in its correct color combination prior to Mr. Guab's purchase but still shows very nicely overall with some age related patina. The chrome on the top of the rear bumper has some fading. There are some paint chips that have been touched up and some small bubbles on the lower portion of left rear rocker panel, 2 small bubbles on the right lower door corner, but no body damage. Tires are in great shape and the original and correct hub caps are fitted and have some minor dings and light scrapes here and there. These hub caps are extremely hard to find as new ones are not available, many cars have had non-standard later Lincoln hub caps fitted now days. The interior is in very good condition with upholstery and carpets showing well. The gauges work including the clock and all lights and signals operate as designed. Power windows and vent windows all function well. The original push button radio is in place but does not play sound. Recent servicing includes, oil change, new battery, new windshield wiper motor and wiper blades, repairing the horn, repairing the power seat motor, new mufflers, new voltage regulator, new starter solenoid, and the fuel system was drained, flushed, cleaned, and new electric fuel pump fitted. The car comes with an original hard bound sales brochure book, owner's manual, Lincoln historical brochure, collectors magazine, and trunk mounted spare tire with cover.