Continental Mark II

Continental Mark II
1956 Continental Mark II.
Overview
Manufacturer	Continental (Ford)
Model years	1956–1957
Assembly	Wixom Assembly, Wixom, Michigan, United States
Designer	John Reinhart
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	368 cu in (6.0 L) 4-bbl. Y-block V8
Transmission	Turbo-Drive 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Length	218.4 in (5,547 mm)
Width	77.5 in (1,968 mm)
Height	56.3 in (1,430 mm)
Curb weight	5,000 lb (2,300 kg)
Chronology
Successor	Lincoln Continental Mark III coupe

The Continental Mark II is a personal luxury car that was produced by the newly created Continental Division of the Ford Motor Company, in 1956 and 1957. An attempt to build a post-World War II car to rival the greatest of the pre-War era, or anything produced in Europe, it is regarded as a rare and elegant classic.

As Lincoln introduced its first post-war model line for the 1949 model year, the division discontinued the Lincoln Continental. Although the V12-powered personal luxury car had gained a positive reputation over its war-interrupted model run, to better ensure its survival, Lincoln sought a role closer to Mercury in the Ford lineup.

By the beginning of the 1950s, with the future of Lincoln more secure, Ford began development work on a fourth division, intended to build the most expensive American car, priced even above Cadillac, Packard, and Imperial. Returning to the 1939-1948 Continental, the new vehicle was not intended to be the largest or most powerful automobile; rather, the most luxurious and elegant American car available, designed to recapture the spirit of the great classics of the prewar period—with prices to match.

Having considered using an outside design team, Ford turned inside to their own Special Products Division. In Fall 1952, they designated John Reinhart as chief stylist; Gordon Buehrig as the chief body engineer, assisted by Robert McGuffey Thomas; and Harley Copp as chief engineer.

Ford had wanted to use unibody technology, but Copp argued against such a choice for a high-brand/low volume model, which was required to be delivered into sale in a short time scale.

What emerged was something quite unlike other American cars of the period. While other makes experimented with flamboyant chrome-laden styling, the Continental Mark II was almost European in its simplicity of line and understated grace.

The new Continental was introduced in October 1955—but not at big American auto shows, such as those in New York and Chicago. Rather it was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show, and later that October at Ford headquarters in Dearborn.