Long appreciated for its timeless design, the short-lived 1956–1957 Continental was the epitome of luxury and style. The classic profile, with its simulated rear spare, was reminiscent of its Lincoln Continental predecessor. To add exclusivity to the largely hand-built Mark II, Ford established a separate Continental division distinct from the Lincoln marque. As the upper class began to reach for more luxury in daily life, motoring around town or on the highway required one to be as comfortable as possible; in a new Continental, one did just that with style and elegance.

At $10,000 per copy, the Mark II was the most expensive American car in 1956, resulting in just 2,550 examples delivered that year and 444 in 1957. With a wheelbase of 126 inches and a weight of nearly 5,200 pounds, the Continental Mark II’s massive size and superbly plush handling rivaled only Cadillac’s premium offerings. The model’s short-lived status as the Ford Motor Company’s flagship can largely be attributed to its exceedingly high production costs; the Blue Oval still lost money on each Continental Mark II sold.

This striking 1956 example offered here is clad in white over a lavishly appointed white/deep red leather interior (1B6M). An old entry pass from Desert Island Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California remains affixed to the car’s front windshield, indicating that it may have been originally delivered to that state. Though these Continentals were built with almost every conceivable option included in the purchase price, this chassis is made exceedingly more desirable by the inclusion of its factory air conditioning system. This Mark II presently rides on an attractive set of chrome turbine wheels shod in wide whitewall tires which perfectly match its striking exterior color. The nicely detailed engine bay is clearly indicative of a previous high-quality restoration.

Though its production run was short-lived, the Mark II’s legacy lives on. The model continues to generate strong interest among top-tier collectors of rare American automobiles, and this exemplary chassis offered here is sure to be in high demand.