The 1958–1960 Lincolns and Lincoln Continentals were the most massive American passenger cars produced since World War II, as they were built on a 131-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 229 inches. The Mark III Convertible tips the scales at an impressive 4,928 pounds, and only 3,048 were produced.

The design is typically credited to John Najjar, although a junior designer named Larry Shinoda, later famed for his work on the 1963 Corvette Stingray, contributed to the design. The Lincolns were built at Ford Motor Company’s Wixom, Michigan, plant, together with the second-generation Thunderbirds, and they were Ford Motor Company’s first unibody automobiles.

This stunning Mark III Continental received a nut-and-bolt restoration about a dozen years ago and has been driven very little since. The Matador Red paint is complemented by a red, white, and black pleated leather interior, which is in very good condition. The chrome is very good, and the car is equipped with power steering, power brakes, power windows, a power seat, windshield washers, a remote door mirror, a Town and Country signal-seeking radio with a power antenna, a heater and a power top. When retracted, the top is covered by a three-piece fiberglass parade boot in the body color.

The engine compartment is carefully and correctly detailed. It has yellow valve covers and air cleaner and appropriate hardware all around. The restorers have carefully replicated the inspection stamps for each stage of assembly. The undercarriage is all painted black and very clean, while the luggage compartment is finished with the correct pattern of vinyl material. The tires are B.F. Goodrich Silvertown 9.50-14 medium-width whitewalls.

As Stephen Sondheim wrote for the musical Anyone Can Whistle, “I see flags, I hear bells, there’s a parade in town.” This Lincoln announces the parade all by itself. If you’re the Queen or the Grand Marshal, you should be in it.