1957 Continental Mark II

No visible modification is brought to the universally acclaimed Continental Mark II. Ford’s engineers succeeded in lightening its chassis by about fifty pounds, though. A single copy of a convertible version is also built this year by Derham, with no further ambition than to be shown at various car shows.


Continental Mark II

● Introduction: October 1955. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 6.0-litre, 300 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Length: 555 cm. Top speed: 200 kph. Range: two-door hardtop coupe, two-door convertible coupe.


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1956 Continental Mark II

To the 1955 Paris motor show was reserved the introduction of a reborn Lincoln Continental or rather, simply “Continental”, as Ford tries to promote the car as a separate division. It is its design that strikes most observers, being both elegant and simple, particularly when compared with other American vehicles. Apart from air conditioning, all possible equipment is standard but this extraordinary automobile comes at a price: close to ten thousand dollars.


Continental Mark II

● Introduction: October 1955. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 6.0-litre, 300 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Length: 555 cm. Top speed: 200 kph. Range: two-door hardtop coupe.


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1959 Continental Mark IV

The Continental continues to be an exclusive version of the Lincoln, sporting a specific grille… and a towering price tag.


Continental Mark IV
New this year: two new expensive “formal sedan” and “Executive limousine”.

● Introduction: 1957. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 350 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Length: 577 cm. Top speed: 200 kph. Range: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door “Landau” hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe, four-door “formal” sedan, four-door “Executive” limousine.


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1958 Continental Mark III

The tasteful Continental Mark II gives way to a whole range of restyled Mark IIIs, featuring monocoque construction and quad headlights. Based on the Lincoln Capri et Premiere, they are set apart by their grille and their high level of equipment. The only convertible built by Lincoln is now sold as a Continental.


Continental Mark III
The only Lincoln convertible is now part of the Continental line. It features a rear window made of glass that features, as in all other Continental models, an original inverted slant.

● Introduction: 1957. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 375 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: V-8, 7.0-litre, 400 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Length: 582 cm. Top speed: 205 kph. Range: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door “Landau” hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.


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Continental (United States, 1956-1959)

Continental was briefly independent as one of Ford's divisions. After building an original car during its first two years of existence, it only produced variants of Lincoln cars starting in model year 1958, which made harder to maintain the illusion of a particular identity. Ultimately, the 1960 Continental Mark V was officially sold as a Lincoln, putting a term to the company's short life.


1956 Continental Mark II

1957 Continental Mark II

1958 Continental Mark III

1959 Continental Mark IV


Also see Lincoln.

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