When you think about those ultra-expensive 1957 and 1958 Cadillacs and Lincolns, only the Lincolns didn't look totally obsolete by 1965 when the Fin-era was firmly in the rear-view mirror...
Truly the most beautiful American car ever produced (challenged only by the 1957 Cadillac Brougham and, in the production-line class, the 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk) Prestige American Cars of the mid-late 1950's...the reason for the phrase "They don't build em like that anymore!"
Keep in mind, all of these car designers have had intensive college level training in drawing, illustration and design. It’s usually a four-year school. The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California is one of the primary schools for designers. For decades, the American carmakers have had ways to uncover kids with natural born talent in drawing and design. That was one of the primary reasons for the Soapbox Derby, to find kids who had inborn, mechanical ability and a sense of design. There were other talent contests held across the country for decades to uncover boys who had these abilities.
Still don't understand why this vehicle doesn't command dominant money in the collector car market. Not many were made making it very rare and innovative design in its time
I agree. I follow various auctions, private sales, and club announcements. A very fine specimen typically sells for between 60 and 100k, but some go for as low as 40k, while others can reach up to 150k. However, the same can be said for a Rolls-Royce Corniche. Why are they so "affordable" compared to, for example, a Mercedes 280 SE cab. ? And why does a VW Oval Beetle (53-57) sometimes sell for over 50k ? There is no logic in the prices of collector cars.
The Corniche is very costly and troublesome to own and is not a great car to drive. Continental Mark II was far too big to be practical. Mercedes 280 coupes and convertibles are far simpler and better built and have a sporting character, scaled for the real world.
@@sprezzatura8755 if you buy a good exemplar (Corniche), you will have some joy. That kind of car needs to be driven. Some of theses cars stay parked for long time, it is very bad for that car with complexe hydraulic systems. I have owned one for 8 years and it was a real pleasure to drive, I used it for some vacation in Europa. But I cannot compare with a 280 SE C I never owned or driven one.
What's very surprising to me is that it's very rare with not many built, and arguably a beautiful design. The desirability seems to be missing which would double or triple the average value.
I remember the day the Continental showed up for the first day at my local Lincoln dealership. I was nine and thought it was the coolest design I had ever seen. Still do.
From the side, and particularly the rear quarter panel, this car was an early preview of the 1961 Lincoln Continental several years away. The roofline also. The front and back ends, maybe not so much, but the lack of chrome and unnecessary ornamentation was definitely a hallmark of other future autos such as the clean 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Riviera from General Motors.
Hi Michael, witch brochure ? There was a 4-pages brochure, a complete brochure with paint and interior samples, and the hard book "The Continental Story" for dealer. Maybe an other book that I don't have ? Thanks forward.
@@fortiesfifties5420 It had to have been "The Continental Story," this was a big, folio-type piece. I wish I still had it and my dad's art boards but they perished in a basement flood.
Handsome side profile but I think the front end reflects the times (not so pretty). The '63 Buick Riviera is fantastic from any angle...one of my favorite American cars from a styling viewpoint. Mitchell I think? But still this car is impressive.
This is one of the few 50's cars I instinctively liked. No unnecessary bulges or fins, etc. The only thing I'd change would be to use high backed bucket seats. This car has real class.
All well and good on the observations made, but may I add one of my own. In the decade of the 1950s both GM and Ford had been developing luxury and prestige models designed to be truly extraordinary, low volume and quite pricey. The Mark II listed for a cool ten grand as new and Cadillac's Eldorado Brougham--distinct in every way from a Birarritz or Seville with its suicide doors and brushed stainless steel roof--was priced higher still at around $13,000 1957 dollars. So exclusive in fact that both ended up losing money for their respective makers.
$10,000 in 1955 is $115,000 in 2024 - considering some F150 trucks go for that today the 1955 Lincoln Mark II was a real bargain for such a car in 1955
@@edpoe4622 Why not an electric Continental with similar chromework (even if it's just coated plastic), coachwork, whitewalls, and luxurious interior to the original? I don't mind leather seats, but everyone has them now. Dark red or powder blue velour is more comfortable and exclusive, and real wood inlays on the dash would set the luxury EV apart from your typical plastic-lined interiors
This is what American Luxury is and was. Proof that a large American automaker can build a car to compete head to head with what European automakers were building. This division of Ford was not part of Lincoln yet. Ford was showing proof they could and did compete with Jaguar, Benz, Bentley and Rolls. This is what American Luxury is. But what happened to the Continental division, it was its own nameplate, it got merged into the Lincoln Division. Not bad but not for the right reason. When the bean counters and accountants get their hands involved only the worst comes out of it. They cheapen the car. Once again Ford had it, then lost it.
Love the Mark II. AND, the FUNNEST car blooper in history was the print ad launch of the 1974 Cadillac De Ville, which touted in HUGE LETTERS as: "Now, Longer IN LENGTH." That was laughed off the planet and caused Caddy's then-ad agency to be fired on the spot. Longer in length. Wider in Width. Taller in Height. Heaver in Weight, Posher in Poshity . . . ha ha ha
If we take into account inflation and the cost of living, of products, housing, everything, I think $10,000 should go much further. In 1955, a traditional American house sold for $11,500. Today, how much does a traditional house cost? Here in Europe, the Mark II cost even more because of import taxes. Today, an equivalent traditional house costs the current equivalent of $300,000 USD A Rolls-Royce in 1955 was priced 12,900 USD. Today, it is approx. 350,000 USD for a new saloon model.
Hi folks, a beautiful car. Elvis owned one which I’ve seen at Graceland. Too bad Ford didn’t continue the brand … Mercedes - Benz picked up on the que and created the SL. Coulda woulda should have. Best, David
I understand what you're saying, and appreciate your sentiment. I in fact agree with you. But there's no market for such cars today beyond such a small fraction they wouldn't be profitable. I can guarantee you there would be no coupe!! That's all over with, forever, just like the 20th century otherwise. The market is for fugly SUV's, crossover, etc. only.
@@bobpierce115funny, Benz, BMW, Toyota, VW, Fiat along with its group, Citroen and others, all still build and sell cars and coupes in North America and the rest of the world. Only one I mention is still privately own, the others are public and they still build cars, not just SUVs. Accountants and bean counters will kill and destroy everything.
For one of the most beautiful cars ever designed I have to say the level of mediocrity of the instrument panel seems painfully out of place. It looks like it was sourced from the parts bin on the one ton truck line.
The dashboard appears streamlined, indeed, but that was the intended goal. I must say I find it easy to use, with well-positioned dials that are easy to see while driving, and the controls are within reach. I've had three cars from the Ford group, and the Continental is truly a cut above. It's even better finished and quieter than the Cadillac from the same era (I have a 1956 Eldorado Coupe).
my favorite lincoln. i rarely see one of these at auction. you could hide any kind of engine in one of these. i would upgrade engine, suspension and tires and not touch anything else.
@@fortiesfifties5420 I've seen many of them. I like the design but there are elements of it that should have been revised, in my opinion. I think the headlight bezels without any forward -projecting upper part make the front fenders appear unattractively short and blunt. Surprisingly, it was also a feature of the 1954-55 Lincolns and it did nothing positive for that already stubby design, either. In fact it imparted a distinct frog- like appearance. The forward projecting headlight bezel was already a widely accepted treatment across the entire industry, so it's a mystery why it wasn't employed. In fact it eventually appeared on the new Thunderbird nearly contemporaneously with this Lincoln and Ford used it on nearly all of their subsequent efforts, including the subsequent Lincolns. Perhaps they were still sold on the weird headlight rings of the previous Cosmopolitan models. Secondly, I find the angle of the front windshield much too upright and out of character. It makes it appear as if the cowl is being pushed down by the weight of the top which I think sits uncomfortably on the body, anyway. The designers' efforts to make the top as low as possible made the car look like it is squatting. From the rear, the top looks too narrow contrasted with all of the side overhang. I have been told these are difficult to park. It's made worse by the excessive width of the trunk which really should have been tapered towards the end, and been somewhat deeper. Clearly they should have consulted me on this design, but at the time I was only a very small boy.
And only 5X more than almost all others at the time. Thee American Rolls Royce of cars. History records they got it wrong and chose the wrong design as the numbers don't lie. Only 2 year production, 56 & 57 for a total of 3000 units.
That thing at 2.06 is ghastly. Looks like it was designed by three people who weren't on speaking terms. And they used that as Infuckingspiration? And lets not forget the ugly wasn't skin deep. It ran on buggy springs and a solid front axle. A decade after the cheapest Chevrolet had IFS.
@@JackF99 I don’t know what planet you are from. The Eldorado Brougham was so advance nothing from ford could compare with it, look at what each is selling for in the auctions.
One of the most beautiful cars ever designed
I agree. I just saved one now.
The Continental Mark II is one of the best designed cars ever. Truly timeless. Loved this video. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks too.
When you think about those ultra-expensive 1957 and 1958 Cadillacs and Lincolns, only the Lincolns didn't look totally obsolete by 1965 when the Fin-era was firmly in the rear-view mirror...
I mean they looked like 1960s cars already
Without a doubt one of the most beautiful automobiles ever built!! A flawless design that transcends time!!
What is truly unique about the design of the Continental is that even people who don't generally like American cars, appreciate the Continental.
Truly the most beautiful American car ever produced (challenged only by the 1957 Cadillac Brougham and, in the production-line class, the 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk)
Prestige American Cars of the mid-late 1950's...the reason for the phrase "They don't build em like that anymore!"
Gremlin? Matador? Yugo? 🤔 tough competition!
My uncle has this model... and hopes to restore it soon
Hi, great. What number is it ? do you know all Mark II are listed in a complete file ? we can help you to complete the history of the car.
The thing that is so impressive is those peeps can draw and paint with such precision to get their idea on paper.
Keep in mind, all of these car designers have had intensive college level training in drawing, illustration and design. It’s usually a four-year school. The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California is one of the primary schools for designers. For decades, the American carmakers have had ways to uncover kids with natural born talent in drawing and design. That was one of the primary reasons for the Soapbox Derby, to find kids who had inborn, mechanical ability and a sense of design. There were other talent contests held across the country for decades to uncover boys who had these abilities.
I never really cared for these cars, but after watching the video, I can really appreciate it.
This is what I call a Automobile.
Still don't understand why this vehicle doesn't command dominant money in the collector car market. Not many were made making it very rare and innovative design in its time
I agree. I follow various auctions, private sales, and club announcements. A very fine specimen typically sells for between 60 and 100k, but some go for as low as 40k, while others can reach up to 150k.
However, the same can be said for a Rolls-Royce Corniche. Why are they so "affordable" compared to, for example, a Mercedes 280 SE cab. ? And why does a VW Oval Beetle (53-57) sometimes sell for over 50k ?
There is no logic in the prices of collector cars.
The Corniche is very costly and troublesome to own and is not a great car to drive. Continental Mark II was far too big to be practical. Mercedes 280 coupes and convertibles are far simpler and better built and have a sporting character, scaled for the real world.
@@sprezzatura8755 if you buy a good exemplar (Corniche), you will have some joy. That kind of car needs to be driven. Some of theses cars stay parked for long time, it is very bad for that car with complexe hydraulic systems. I have owned one for 8 years and it was a real pleasure to drive, I used it for some vacation in Europa. But I cannot compare with a 280 SE C I never owned or driven one.
What's very surprising to me is that it's very rare with not many built, and arguably a beautiful design. The desirability seems to be missing which would double or triple the average value.
I remember the day the Continental showed up for the first day at my local Lincoln dealership. I was nine and thought it was the coolest design I had ever seen. Still do.
It still looks fresh and modern. Incredible class.
I’m glad they had the decency to wear a suit and tie at all times of the night
From the side, and particularly the rear quarter panel, this car was an early preview of the 1961 Lincoln Continental several years away. The roofline also. The front and back ends, maybe not so much, but the lack of chrome and unnecessary ornamentation was definitely a hallmark of other future autos such as the clean 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Riviera from General Motors.
My dad illustrated the hardcover "brochure" that was used in marketing it, and we had a copy. It was a lavish thing itself.
Hi Michael, witch brochure ? There was a 4-pages brochure, a complete brochure with paint and interior samples, and the hard book "The Continental Story" for dealer.
Maybe an other book that I don't have ?
Thanks forward.
@@fortiesfifties5420 It had to have been "The Continental Story," this was a big, folio-type piece. I wish I still had it and my dad's art boards but they perished in a basement flood.
@@MichaelSemer yes, a very nice book with lovely handmade draws.
That continental was a cold car even in the 1950s had that elegance and class
About the most beautiful car.
❤ It is one good looking car.
They will soon discover they should have hired a Cost Accountant.
Finest American car ever made.
I'd love to have one! 😀👍
This sounds like it's in dual mono.
I remember seeing one in the dealer's showroom.
Nice job guys!👍🏽👏👏👏👏👏👏
The Car, has entered the chat for notes
Handsome side profile but I think the front end reflects the times (not so pretty). The '63 Buick Riviera is fantastic from any angle...one of my favorite American cars from a styling viewpoint. Mitchell I think? But still this car is impressive.
You’re 100% right 63 Riviera was Way ahead of its time the beautiful car
Nice 🚗
Nice car❤
This is one of the few 50's cars I instinctively liked. No unnecessary bulges or fins, etc. The only thing I'd change would be to use high backed bucket seats. This car has real class.
All well and good on the observations made, but may I add one of my own. In the decade of the 1950s both GM and Ford had been developing luxury and prestige models designed to be truly extraordinary, low volume and quite pricey. The Mark II listed for a cool ten grand as new and Cadillac's Eldorado Brougham--distinct in every way from a Birarritz or Seville with its suicide doors and brushed stainless steel roof--was priced higher still at around $13,000 1957 dollars. So exclusive in fact that both ended up losing money for their respective makers.
$10,000 in 1955 is $115,000 in 2024 - considering some F150 trucks go for that today the 1955 Lincoln Mark II was a real bargain for such a car in 1955
The American Rolls Royce wow with the 368 motor and 2 speed Linc-O-Matic trans. ❤😊 ♦️ aww the Mark ll.
3-speed automatic. A fantastic car.
@@fortiesfifties5420 if thats true i stand corrected
The Mk. II and Mk. IV Continentals were gorgeous. Ford should build a modern version that resembles the original
No, they shouldn't. They would screw it up.12 airbags, plastic bumpers, 6 catalytic converters and 4 turbos.
@@edpoe4622 Why not an electric Continental with similar chromework (even if it's just coated plastic), coachwork, whitewalls, and luxurious interior to the original? I don't mind leather seats, but everyone has them now. Dark red or powder blue velour is more comfortable and exclusive, and real wood inlays on the dash would set the luxury EV apart from your typical plastic-lined interiors
No bulk? Looking at this thing, all I can see is bulk.
Funny Stereo phase sound design on the iPad Pro
This is what American Luxury is and was. Proof that a large American automaker can build a car to compete head to head with what European automakers were building. This division of Ford was not part of Lincoln yet. Ford was showing proof they could and did compete with Jaguar, Benz, Bentley and Rolls. This is what American Luxury is.
But what happened to the Continental division, it was its own nameplate, it got merged into the Lincoln Division. Not bad but not for the right reason. When the bean counters and accountants get their hands involved only the worst comes out of it. They cheapen the car. Once again Ford had it, then lost it.
Gorgeous car from exterior. That dashboard is a complete non-starter and about as incongruous as incongruous gets.
...it's a _serious_ bit of gear - and not just a show pony: ultra expensive, but time has been kind to this grand folly of opulence.
❤ Elvis bolt one.
Love the Mark II. AND, the FUNNEST car blooper in history was the print ad launch of the 1974 Cadillac De Ville, which touted in HUGE LETTERS as: "Now, Longer IN LENGTH." That was laughed off the planet and caused Caddy's then-ad agency to be fired on the spot. Longer in length. Wider in Width. Taller in Height. Heaver in Weight, Posher in Poshity . . . ha ha ha
"bigger is better" ... in this time. Now you must drive a bicycle, they say.
It cost about $10,000 in 1955 - that’s $115,000 in 2024 - considering some F150 trucks go for that today it was a real bargain for such a car in 1955
If we take into account inflation and the cost of living, of products, housing, everything, I think $10,000 should go much further. In 1955, a traditional American house sold for $11,500. Today, how much does a traditional house cost? Here in Europe, the Mark II cost even more because of import taxes. Today, an equivalent traditional house costs the current equivalent of $300,000 USD
A Rolls-Royce in 1955 was priced 12,900 USD. Today, it is approx. 350,000 USD for a new saloon model.
Hi folks, a beautiful car. Elvis owned one which I’ve seen at Graceland. Too bad Ford didn’t continue the brand … Mercedes - Benz picked up on the que and created the SL. Coulda woulda should have. Best, David
Lincoln needs to bring back a sedan or coupe...miss the Town Car and the mark...not the ugly, fugly suvs theyre making
I understand what you're saying, and appreciate your sentiment. I in fact agree with you. But there's no market for such cars today beyond such a small fraction they wouldn't be profitable. I can guarantee you there would be no coupe!! That's all over with, forever, just like the 20th century otherwise. The market is for fugly SUV's, crossover, etc. only.
@@bobpierce115funny, Benz, BMW, Toyota, VW, Fiat along with its group, Citroen and others, all still build and sell cars and coupes in North America and the rest of the world. Only one I mention is still privately own, the others are public and they still build cars, not just SUVs.
Accountants and bean counters will kill and destroy everything.
They were definatley 10 years ahead in styling. Thats a 56' and could easily pass for a 66' model.
it stays a timeless design.
No sound.
Hey Dude, I had to try a couple times myself to get the audio working...
Try again in different ways, it took me a couple of tries to get the audio...
There is sound. I try on a friend computer and it works too.
For one of the most beautiful cars ever designed I have to say the level of mediocrity of the instrument panel seems painfully out of place. It looks like it was sourced from the parts bin on the one ton truck line.
The dashboard appears streamlined, indeed, but that was the intended goal. I must say I find it easy to use, with well-positioned dials that are easy to see while driving, and the controls are within reach. I've had three cars from the Ford group, and the Continental is truly a cut above. It's even better finished and quieter than the Cadillac from the same era (I have a 1956 Eldorado Coupe).
I doubt they made any money on it ,sadly.
They lost money on each car but it was a good commercial "push" for FoMoCo in this time.
my favorite lincoln. i rarely see one of these at auction.
you could hide any kind of engine in one of these.
i would upgrade engine, suspension and tires and not touch anything else.
Stop touching it and drive it as is
I've always thought they had somewhat odd proportions.
Not in real. When you see the car, it is really nicely designed.
@@fortiesfifties5420 I've seen many of them. I like the design but there are elements of it that should have been revised, in my opinion.
I think the headlight bezels without any forward -projecting upper part make the front fenders appear unattractively short and blunt.
Surprisingly, it was also a feature of the 1954-55 Lincolns and it did nothing positive for that already stubby design, either. In fact it imparted a distinct frog- like appearance.
The forward projecting headlight bezel was already a widely accepted treatment across the entire industry, so it's a mystery why it wasn't employed.
In fact it eventually appeared on the new Thunderbird nearly contemporaneously with this Lincoln and Ford used it on nearly all of their subsequent efforts, including the subsequent Lincolns. Perhaps they were still sold on the weird headlight rings of the previous Cosmopolitan models.
Secondly, I find the angle of the front windshield much too upright and out of character. It makes it appear as if the cowl is being pushed down by the weight of the top which I think sits uncomfortably on the body, anyway. The designers' efforts to make the top as low as possible made the car look like it is squatting.
From the rear, the top looks too narrow contrasted with all of the side overhang.
I have been told these are difficult to park.
It's made worse by the excessive width of the trunk which really should have been tapered towards the end, and been somewhat deeper.
Clearly they should have consulted me on this design, but at the time I was only a very small boy.
Chip Foose would agree with you. He's currently building one and he's chopping the hell out of it.
Chip Foose is a tool and a butcher.He should never be allowed near a car
I love the styling from the windshield back but the bug eye headlights and goofy grin grille are losers 😢
And only 5X more than almost all others at the time. Thee American Rolls Royce of cars. History records they got it wrong and chose the wrong design as the numbers don't lie. Only 2 year production, 56 & 57 for a total of 3000 units.
That thing at 2.06 is ghastly. Looks like it was designed by three people who weren't on speaking terms. And they used that as Infuckingspiration? And lets not forget the ugly wasn't skin deep. It ran on buggy springs and a solid front axle. A decade after the cheapest Chevrolet had IFS.
I don't know what anyone sees in this thing. I owned a 76 Town Coupe and it looked much better.
I'm not a fan... Give me the Mark 4.
Another Cadillac wannabe. The tail and back up lights look like they were taken off the 1948 through 1956 Cadillac, just one of the copied ideas.
lol, this car was handmade and far exceeded Cadillac
@@denniss5505 do you know anything about the Eldorado brougham
The Eldorado of the day looked like a bloated, overstyled tank compared to the sleek, understated Continental.
@@JackF99 I don’t know what planet you are from. The Eldorado Brougham was so advance nothing from ford could compare with it, look at what each is selling for in the auctions.