Makes › Lincoln › Continental › Continental Mark II · Rare production · 1956–1957 Rare
Lincoln
Continental Mark II
Continental Mark II, the very expensive Continental-division coupe of 1956 to 1957.
Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 2,996 Built
- Years
- 1956–1957
- Engine
- V8 · 6,030 cc / 6.0 LFactory: 368 cu in · converted
- Power
- 224 kW / 304 PSFactory: 300 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Mark II was Ford's attempt at an American luxury flagship, sold through a separate Continental Division in 1956 and 1957. At $10,000 it was the most expensive car sold by a US manufacturer at the time, and the run ended with about 3,000 cars sold.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionContinental Mark II sold, including two prototype convertibles | 2,9961 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Ford revived the Continental as the Mark II coupe for 1956 and 1957 with its own division above Lincoln, unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. It sold at $10,000, among the most expensive cars in the world, and the marque was gone after 2,996 sales including two prototype convertibles.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Continental Mark II.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine manufacturer | Lincoln2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine family | Lincoln 368 cu in Y-block V82 Independently researched |
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V82 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 82 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 6,030 cc / 6.0 LFactory: 368 cu in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:12 Independently researched |
| Valvetrain | Overhead valve (OHV)2 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Carter four-barrel carburetor2 Independently researched |
| Power | 224 kW / 304 PSFactory: 300 hp · converted2 Independently researched1956 figure as given by conceptcarz. HowStuffWorks says the rating was 285 hp in 1956 and was raised to 300 for 1957 (conflict, not resolved). Rating standard not stated. |
| Power at | 4,800 rpm2 Independently researched |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Power brakes (standard equipment)2 Independently researched |
| Steering | Power steering (standard equipment)2 Independently researched |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mmFactory: 126 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Length | 5,550 mmFactory: 218.5 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,970 mmFactory: 77.5 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Continental Mark II (conceptcarz) Level C
- 2996 Continental Mark II sold, including two prototype convertibles
-
2
1956 Continental Mark II Level C conceptcarz.com
- Lincoln's new 368 cubic-inch Y-block V-8
- overhead valve V-8 engine with a cast iron block
- 8 cyl., 368.00 CID., 300.00hp
- a 10.0:1 compression ratio
- 368 cubic-inch, overhead valve V-8 engine
- a Carter four-barrel carburetor
- delivered 300 horsepower at 4,800 RPM
- Standard equipment included power steering, power brakes
- rested atop a wheelbase that measured 126 inches
- overall length of 218.5 inches
- It was 77.5 inches wide
-
3
1956 Continental Mark II Convertible Level C HowStuffWorks (Consumer Guide text, archived 2011)
- individually selected and balanced Lincoln 368-cid V-8s
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