William Clay Ford’s tribute to his father Edsel, the Continental Mark II, was developed to be the finest automobile possible. Given a classic “long hood/short deck” profile and a simulated spare tire bulge on the trunk lid by a styling team that included Ford himself, John Reinhart, and former Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg designer Gordon Buehrig, it was a semi-custom automobile with a price tag to match. At $9,695, the Continental Mark II, as it would be known, was the most expensive American production car in 20 years. It boasted nearly every comfort and convenience gadget as standard equipment; only factory air conditioning was optional, at $595. Ford was very clear that this was not a Lincoln but a Continental, a separate division established to add exclusivity to the luxury marque.

For one’s small fortune, however, they received the most carefully crafted car in the world. Despite sharing mechanical components with Lincolns, Continental’s drivetrain items were machined to high tolerances and were heavily tested, with each chassis tuned and test-driven before a body was mounted. The bodies themselves demanded 60 hours of metal-finishing, five times that of the typical American car. Engineer Harley Copp’s unusual “cowbelly” frame gave the car a recessed floor, much like the “Step-Down” Hudson of the late 1940s, permitting upright seating without a tall body, as it was only 56 inches in height. Once a Continental was finally completed, the car was shipped to its new owner’s dealer in a fleece-lined cover and wrapped in plastic.

Even at nearly $10,000 a car, Ford reportedly lost thousands on every Mark II sold; it really was too well-built. Only 2,550 were sold in 1956, followed by another 444 in 1957, when production halted in May and the model was discontinued. In the meantime, Continentals had been delivered to Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Nelson Rockefeller, and the Shah of Iran.

The Continental offered here is presented in Starmist White, the most iconic color, with Deep Red and White upholstery. Restored to high standards some years ago, it is described by its owner as an immaculate vehicle, with 59,660 miles showing; it has all of its original brightwork, with the exception of NOS lettering and a hood ornament, and it has an excellent, correct interior, which was installed in 2007. The glass is also all original, with the exception of the passenger side door window, which is also NOS. Both the fuel system, including the tank, and the exhaust were correctly replaced in 2009, while radial tires were installed to enhance driving; importantly, the tires have the proper bias-ply appearance. Reported to be routinely maintained and very driveable, with its added seat belts, the Continental boasts the optional factory air conditioning, which is the final touch on a car that is at the height of driveable elegance, just as it was in 1956.