Agree. The 1936 to 37 Cords were a close 2nd, but both models, as Jay points out, had the Gordon Buehrig touch. (I'm not sure how to pronounce his last name either!!)
Rear seat heat was provided via the vent in the lower rear part of the doors. Future Lincolns also used this. I believe Cadillac did as well. What a car this is - Elegance that never goes out of style. Thanks for sharing.
I thought the same thing but decided not to say it.. it really looks like it we it’s parked behide all the other models and the thunderbird is even in front of it =)
Indeed! Also enjoyed the 57 to 59 retractable "Skyliners" that Ford had rolling off the line at about the same time. Imagine that owners got many surprised looks as they took their solid tops down while parallel parked or in the country club lot.
One of the most handsome designs in automotive history. There was one, a 56 in my home town in Southern California. We all knew who was driving past when we saw it.
As a boy, once saw a lady driving a Mark through my home town on ice covered streets in the middle of a snowstorm, about 1970. Wanted to get out and yell at her to find a motel and get that precious piece of American automotive history off the road until everything dried up.
@@billolsen4360 Oh, amen! Possibly she was hurrying home or just didn’t realize what she was driving. Also, I called a friend of mine who still lives in that town in Southern California and he said he has seen the car but it’s in the garage with the tires stuck to the floor. Sad.
You truly do a wonderful job with these videos. They are amazingly in-depth, and detailed. I’ve been looking for a channel like this for some time! So thanks for doing these, keep up the amazing work :)
Thank you so much Travis it really means a lot to me I’m trying to grow this channel I want it to be the go to Classic Car channel one day that’s the end goal. =)
The Continental Mark ll is a magnificent machine!!! Elvis Presley owned a white one. I'm guessing that this one doesn't have the optional air conditioning since I didn't see any vents in the ceiling!!!! Thanks for showcasing this beautiful Continental!!! 👍👍🙂
Another reason to like Elvis! The guy was a car nut. Brought back both a new BMW 507 and a Messerschmidt 2-passenger tandem seat Microcar after his Army hitch in Germany was up.
The whole point of the Mark II was understated elegance. This was a lesson lost on Ford executives when Continental was folded into Lincoln. The ‘58-‘60 styling was outlandish and bizarre and dammed near killed Lincoln. Understated came back with the ‘61 and they proved that elegance always sells to the discerning.
Thanks for the video . I have owned a Mark 2 for the last 30 years. We call her Queen Mary. She has spent her entire life in Tucson Arizona, and was the 5th Avenue show car at the New York city dealership. I am the second owner.
@@What.its.like.my Mark II is great to drive! They are truly amazing cars right!? Thank you for showcasing them and getting most of the correct information. Actually my comment about the same color and dealer was to @Fred Klein
@@sirknickolissiv4083 Mine is Sky Blue. I love driving the car, and try getting it out on the road weekly. As to driving, I feel like I am driving on my living room couch !
The most elegant car Ford ever made. They could have produced them for years afterwards with no changes. But Ford never figured out that it was such a classic, that they could have made them for years until they broke even on their investment.
Two tone paint is not available on 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II. Several colors are offered for 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II are : White, black, red, blue, and green. Lincoln Continental Mark II only came with 2 door hardtop. Maroon is another color.
Yeah it is It aged like fine wine. Some new cars haven’t aged well like in my opinion I don’t thing the Bugatti veyron is aging well... and the be honest 08 era everything kinda sort of sucked don’t get me wrong there were some good cars to come out of that era. My bro has a 2006 escalade short wheelbase AWD version.. I want to do that car so bad, my brother got in trouble and so it has that breathalyzer in the car can’t drive unless you blow, that will be one to look for.. that was $60k new for 5k lbs of plastic
I remember the first time I saw one of these, as I was walking home from school, I was 7.(always been a car guy) It was parked in front of a carbon paper plant across from Desilu studios on Ince Blvd Culver City. It was light green. I stared at it, looked inside and even then, knew as anothers car "don't touch the paint" I stood there looking at it for perhaps 10 miutes - transfixed. It belonged to the owner, he came out and - - - offered me a ride home. I'll never forget how wonderful that ride was, nice man, beautiful car, different times. Just an absolute beautiful piece of machinery. Thanks for the memories!
Thank you for sharing that story it was awesome. =) I could only imagine what that would feel like to see that kind of car when you were a kid, I was born way way too late I wish that I grew up with these cars. Everything is so similar and boring now
@@What.its.like. "Everything is so similar and boring now" Yes they are. I love watching old movies and TV. The wife (not a car person at all) will say "ok name the cars" Sometimes you just see a vent window, a grill, a tail light and I can tell you make, model, sometimes trim level. Now? I see an suv, cuv and I can't tell one make from the other many times - - it's boring. Then of course - we have Black, White, shades of S ilver with the one or two red or blue thrown in. Boring - - I'll admit a well cared for Black can look beautiful on some models as can white. But how about some color America, Europe has lots! Keep up the good work!
A car was more than transportation it was you who you are as a person, not saying it’s not like that now, it’s generic everything is. I’m super old school. Someone asked yesterday when I was buying a new car and I looked back at him and replied never. I’ll never buy another new car again. Honestly if I could have things my way I’d drive 50s and 60s cars and have a mid 30s packard =) New cars are great but once one owns all there cars and no car payments that’s freedom why would anyone want to give up that freedom, currently have two Honda odessey vans and 52 truck that’s the fleet nothing over the top but what I have is mine =)
@@What.its.like. Agreed (well sort of) my last car a 199.5 New Jetta I drove for nearly 300,000 miles. Paid for up front. No payments for a month short of 20 years. Now? A 2016 Transit Connect and a 2018 Escape. Nice vehices (dogs, need room) that said - - while nice, reliable, reasonable drivers. There is no soul to these vehicles. I'll drive my 73 911T over any of them, bought from new all original. I'd also love to have my 60 Buick Invicta Custom back or my 70 Nova SS built from scratch usin the build sheet they used back then. 350 3.73 differential, delete the side louvers on the front fenders, and many other tweaks and it only too 4 weeks to get delivered. And you couldn't beat those red stripe tires for looks. Out the door for a rousing 2700 dollars.
It’s crazy that car had a supercharger on it I couldn’t find any information on another one the dealership said that doing research on that car they found that it was one of three but it might be one of one left in existence
The dashboard is beautifully designed. The top section of the doors continues around becoming the little wall under the windshield. The dash pad is a rather thin horizontal winglike shape straight across the car that terminates at the far side at that curved wall below the windshield. The basic concept of the Jaguar XJ model that just ended is the same. Look it up. The instruments are SUPPOSED to look like rectangular pods above and below. The incredible completely different 1956 Lincoln dash is the same concept. The below part has added sections in the center, like the front of a console on most bucket seat cars seen today. (this typical-now console design wasn't even invented until Ford did it with the 1958 Thunderbird).
Back in the mid-sixties, when I was about 13-14, the Lincoln-Mercury dealer 2 blocks from my house used to have several of these on their lot. They were just 10 year old cars at that time. I would ride my bike up there when they were closed, and to my surprise, they never locked any of these cars! So, I would sit in them and play with the knobs and such. The windows worked without the key on. The Mk II is absolutely one of the most gorgeous cars ever. The taillights sure looked similar to the early 50s Cadillacs, and Pontiac wagons of the 71-76 years. I still say you have been stalking me even before I found your channel! (j/k) PS: Ford was experimenting with supercharging their 57 cars; I wonder if the Continental used some pre-production parts, altho that unit on the Connie looks a lot different than the McCulloch units used in 57.
The five heater/vent levers were to suggest the throttles of a multiengine plane. A lot of Mark II buyers would have been in WWII or the Korean War and had seen bomber cockpits, or seen war movies and TV shows with bombers or airliners so very cool. Lever controls show up on other Lincolns, Mercurys, and others. The far left and right levers are for vents someplace under the sides of the dash, probably the round shapes seen in the kick panels. Outside air, no fan, no connection to the heaters which also sucked outside air. The two heaters were probably like in '58-60/'61-64 Lincolns, located in the room between the front wheel well and the firewall. The separate heater/fan units also fed air to the defrost vent on its side. But NO left and right controls, just each lever affecting both units equally.
Yeah this car isn’t for sale it was in their back room with a bunch of other cool cars that we will look at another day I shot one other car in the back room the other day I plan on going back in and there was a lot of cool stuff that I didn’t get to do I did 8 cars that day, running out of video storage lol I couldn’t find any information on it I was really intrigued to see how much horsepower it put out The car featured was a 56 Continental, 57 has some differences that I forgot to mention in the video more color were available in 57, I did mention the horsepower increase. There was also vents added just behide the rear quarter windows. I plan on looking for a 57 made it will have air and maybe even be able to drive it =)
Check out Cold War Motors on TH-cam for an interesting restoration of a '56 Continental Mark II that is an ongoing project. They used a LOT of lead on these! Really amazing work recreating a rear quarter panel. Not in every episode, but easy to find the pertinent videos. Beautiful car, but that tacked-on gauge was...tacky. Loved how even the door release was color matched to the car. And the chrome surrounding the inside of the door opening was wretched excess, my personal favorite. I'd never heard of the supercharger option being available from the dealer. Really interesting tidbit! Thanks!
Thank you so much for watching I will look them up I couldn’t find any information about the supercharge model other than the fact that This car was at barret Jackson at one point because they had a car that looked identical to this one being the only made three unless they made all three of them in this green color and that was probably the one that was at Barrett Jackson but they didn’t even have any information on it they just said look super charger
3:33 (and again at 15:55) magazine ad lists in the Ford family of fine cars: the Ford, the Thunderbird, the Mercury, the Lincoln, the Continental. That implies Thunderbird was somehow its own brand, but it never was. (They must have just been high on its success...) The later 60s-90s Mark III through VII were also branded "Continental" - they did not say Lincoln on them. The Mark VII changed to a "Lincoln" mid-run and the Mark VIII was just Lincoln.
They say Lincoln in the back I think I could be wrong though the only continental continental made was 56 and 57 it went back under the Lincoln brand and 58 but it’s confusing because they still put continental on their cars but they weren’t sold as a individual brand,To my knowledge
I always loved these cars a neighbor growing up had 2 in his garage, a white one and a black one and I originally thought they were some kinda t bird. That neighbor had everything I liked a house with a swimming pool and a beautiful view of the Puget Sound bay and 2 beautiful twins girls plus the twin continentals, I found out the hard way he was more protective of his girls than his cars 😂😂
This one is still for sale I’m half tempted to go try to do it again because it was in a really dark location superstellar car I couldn’t find any information on the supercharged cars evidently they made three With dealership installed superchargers it would be really cool to go for a ride in this car but they put salt down on the roads to the odds of that happening are nil
I agree with you, for a car of this class and cost the binnacle gauges do look rather as if plopped on at last minute. Compare with even Chev and other Ford dashes of the era - never mind higher-end Buick, Cadillac etc.
It looks better once you're behind the wheel, though, since each of the four dials have depressions in the upholstery of horizontal plane of the padded cash to accommodate them. My favorite dash is still the 1969 Grand Prix.
I’ve been watching all ur videos and obsessed…what would be a cool video (and wouldn’t be much more research) is perhaps just ones by year and how they were price positioned…or even a Versus…I watched the caddy going against this one if it was put like a side by side (sometimes you do it for the same model different years). Would be so cool. Keep up the great videos and enthusiasm 🙏🏼
Actually Liz Taylor didn’t buy hers. I read that it was given to her by someone involved in making the film Raintree County at the end of filming (by the producer, director, studio?). It was painted a color to match her eyes apparently. Debbie Reynolds/Eddie Fisher also had one.
I found this particular car on FB Marketplace for sale in Magnolia, OH. Interesting to me is the front tag, advertising radio station WVOK 690. That station was located in Birmingham, AL. So apparently this car spent some time in Alabama.
Yes that is the same car I kind of sort of want to go do it again because I was getting my feet wet so to speak with the Classic Car stuff like don’t get me wrong I’ve always been a Classic Car enthusiast I just didn’t know where to get information from lighting was a bit dark on that episode I would love to go and do it proper.. and it’s rare with the dealership installed super charger.. It would be awesome to hear that thing Run
I remember it well. My dad had one. He bought it used and as I recall, in 1959, he paid just $4,500 for it. It was black with cream-white interior. The highlight of my recall is that he let me have it to take my date to the senior prom. I don't think that my date even knew what it was, but and regardless, I liked it. What grand memories!
Thank you so much for sharing that awesome story I can’t believe it dropped that much in price in just a few years. I have a 1964 issue of road and track the mustang issue in the back under the classifieds there’s a 1935 Bugatti type 35 for sale for $5000 granted $5000 in the 60s with a lot of money but if one bought that car then and held on to it now one would be really really rich.
The continental mark 2 is one of my favorite classic cars I have only one complaint i dont know why the put the clock next to the speedometer in stead the of the tach...
and before you get one, head to Coldwar Motors. One of the guys from Strongs Garage has one. They are on year 3 of their "summer" build of 2020...so much lead...so much rust...carry on...
I was going to add to my previous comment that the dashboard instrument cluster panel looks tacky add certain angles and add certain angles it looks right..Just not up to the level of car that it was
I think placing a gas filler behind the taillight or license plate is beauty of old cars in those days, although safety is question mark. I hope EVs will have these design idea, "Less is beautiful". The spare tire really sits behind the trunk arch, by the way.
I think Cadillac invented the idea and it mostly showed up in GM cars. Ford products usually had it in the center underneath the license plate (or maybe fake grille-like trim), which would fold downward and was spring loaded.
Yeah I believe you’re right I think Harley Earl was the one who started that trend. I think the 1948 Cadillac 62 was the first car I could be wrong tho
Mark II Continentals in the movies & on TV: Hard-drinking Uncle Willie (portrayed by Louis Calhern) used a black beauty Mark II in "High Society" released 1956 also with Grace Kelly. Burt Lancaster as the Evil, Angry & Cruel newspaper columnist J.J. Hunsecker in "The Sweet Smell of Success" in 1957. Also in '57, 2 episodes of "Perry Mason," actor Raymond Burr's personal Mark II but used by other characters. TV show "Grace Under Fire" 1995-98. "The Valachi Papers," 1972.
Another good video. It’s very helpful that you get a video showcasing the car at that time. I agree, for a car that was intended to be a crown jewel the dash and gauges look like an afterthought. Other than that the car has a very understated look. There was one of these in a neighborhood near me from the time I was in elementary school until high school. It was very attractive. Medium light blue metallic. What was the price of the most expensive Cadillac and Imperial at that time?
I’m not sure probably 8,9k there abouts... in 1957 the Cadillac Fleetwood brougham is $13,074 made because of this car.. I always had a soft spot in my heart for the continental I was wondering if there was anybody that owns one because I’ve read just like the negative that they’re not very fun to drive. They are more pleasant to look at.
Not a bad presentation, at all! The chrome door jambs were for wear and rust prevention, not for glitz. Buehrig was adamant that everything about the car would be absolutely top quality, and he was the head body engineer. As for the instrument panel, I always thought that it resembled the instrument panel on the 1951-53 Packard, which John Reinhardt designed also.
The 1957 Ford Thunderbird came with a factory Supercharger option. The "F" code 312. However, one could get dealer installed superchargers on 1955 and 1956 T-Birds. I know of at least one 1955 T-Bird that had two 4 bbl carbs with a dual supercharger dealer installed.
*Wishing you all a Wonderful Winter Solstice.* A traditional celebration dating back over 5000 years ago where the Sun is literally rebirthed in the passageway of an ancient tomb. "The Grand Passage Tomb." A World Heritage site. Witness the rebirth in person. A celebration of life and renewal, peace and camaraderie with food, song, dance, drink and good cheer. Happy Holidays. Let the Sunshine In... *Be Happy* *Solstice Night by S J Tucker"
One needs to appreciate the cultural perceptions of the time. Everyone was anticipating the design of this day and into the future. In context Continental succeeded. Let's suppose they shortened the wheelbase by 2" and increased the cab by 2" thereby making a much more balanced product in appearance. Suddenly du jour an invincible classic may have emerged. A lesson for us all, what we value most "cool today" may not impress historians centuries from now.
GM was able to keep their five brands because Cadillac led in the luxury market, and their other four brands held four of the top six sales spots in the U.S. most years (not counting pickup and vans). Obama forced GM to drop Pontiac during the bailout, or they would still be around.
I have often thought what a shame it was to drop the Oldsmobile. Ransom Olds and his little curved dash runabout was a piece of automotive history. Buick was supposed to be second, in quality and prestige, under Cadilac. But frankly, the Oldsmobile was as good or better than the Buick (in my opinion).
The dash... I like it, but... BUT... that vacuum gauge for the supercharger really does look a tacked on Auto Zone accessory as an afterthought, and it does look tacky for a car like this. Might have been better to have a dummy space in one of the dash pods that could have had it put in after. Maybe moved the tach next to the speedo and then put the clock in the upper part of the last pod, and a spot for the boost if needed in the bottom part. But what's done is done, and even a car like this having a tach in the 50's was something... My Grandpa had a '59 Continental (NOT a Lincoln) and that thing was HUUUGE. When I was a kid, the backseat was like a playground for me. It was this gawdawful green with a cream color interior that as I remember was really scratchy.
@Eric the only cars that are true Continentals, not Lincolns are the Mark II's manufactured in 56 and 57. After the division was dissolved they are a trim level.
@@sirknickolissiv4083 Did not know that... all I remember was the front fender, I believe, had Continental on it, not Lincoln. In '70 he traded it in for a new Lincoln Continental, not a Mark though... that was a beauty... dark blue with dark blue leather interior... loved that car!
That was before I had the thought of doing it the very early episodes I sang the songs because I was afraid of copyright blockage but then I found out that as long as Google can’t figure out what the song is it won’t get blocked.. I saw your Garth Brooks song one time and it sounded just like Garth and it got blocked lol Glad you dig that one was rare I was told it was only one of three that was super charged
With all due respect, the Continental Mark II was not “totally hand-built”. It was hand-assembled. I never knew that in the US, in 1956, that “bread was 18 cents a gallon”. Everywhere else, bread was sold in loaves.
The name Contintal was a dumb idea. There is a company called continental that make airplane engines. "Lincoln Continental" sounds like a Lincoln powered by a Continetal Engine, which is false. It's got a Ford V8 under the hood.
By that ridiculous metric any and every name for a car is "dumb" because they are named after things other than cars. Get a grip of yourself Sir Spergsalot.
Love everything about this car except the dashboard; looks like they ran out of time and just threw something together in the last seconds of a deadline.
I totally agree I got so much flack for saying that, however many years ago that episode was aired but I truly believe that the dashboard was sort of a forgotten aspect and they’re like oh what do we do about the dash and then they just tacked it on there
@@What.its.like. Something was definitely amiss there. That said, Ford got it right with the superb '65 Thunderbird interior styling, dashboard included.
The most damming criticism of these cars is even though there were only 3000 made you can easily find one for sale any day of the week. They are good from afar, but far from good. The tacked on gauges are such a let down. Hand made really seems like home made. It would take a lot of money to make that interior as good as the exterior styling seems to promise. And any Johnny lunchbox could have a bought brand new 57 Chevy for a tenth of the price! These are historical curiosities only. Save one or 2 good ones, then let's restomods the rest of them!
I totally agree I got a lot of flack for saying the gauges look like they were an after thought. This was an expensive car when new but just like you said not hard to find now and can be had for less then most think... I’ve been in the Continental Mark II as well as Cadillac brougham and the dual ghia.. the dual ghia is the best one of those three rare fast and comfortable seats
edSel, not edZel. Named after a supremely high-style son of Henry Ford, Edsel fostered slap-in-his-face 'homage' with its gawky and oft-derided inaugural '58 design followed by fast collapse of the entire upstart marque.
In the 1950s Ford wanted to make a car that was more luxurious than a Cadillac. Air conditiong was an option, not standard equiptment. why? because Originally the Mark II was to have an optional Retractable Hardtop i.e. when it was hot the trunk opened backwards and a steel roof mounted ona bunch of hinges and levers was lifted off the car and lowered into the trunk. The car would become a roadster with a breeze to keep you cool. This is why the roof is SO small ( it also makes the car look sporty.) Ford's retractable roof was never perfected. It was an option on a coupe called a Ford Skyliner. This device had dozens of electric motors. If you were outside with the top down and it started raining, you could put the roof up ,most of the time, But sometimes one of those motors failed and you would drive home in the rain with the roof and trunklid up in the air, in a position half-way between up and down. So this was not an option on what was called the best car in the world.
I'm not sure why I like this car. It is not very attractive. There are no exterior styling cues that I can say I love. I guess it is the level of detail along with fit and finish. That door is beautifully done. I don't think I'd have wanted to buy one with even the 57 Chevy Bel air being significantly prettier at a fraction of the cost. And the Caddy for 57? This car comes nowhere close. It probably would have done well as a 55, but the competition even within Ford was astounding in 57. In my opinion Three years stand out in automotive history. 1957, 1970, and 1987.
I think that was a bigger block than the early - mid 1950's Ford Y block such as the "Thunderbird" 312 but probably had similar limitations as to the power that could be produced vs. competitor's engines such as Chrysler,Oldsmobile or even AMC (yes,even with lower claimed horsepower could the little Nash Rambler outrun it the way the Cadillac was outrun? I think so. In just a few years I think the bigger block Lincoln engines such as the 410 (430?) came out,did some people swap those into their Mark II ?
I think your comment on the dash is baseless. It’s very obvious you have NO training in Industrial Design. You really need a background in design to be able to comment (with expertise) on the design work of others who had the training you lack.
It was an opinion was all , this was the. Most expensive car made in America in 1956. The caliber of everything should be next level. I’m not saying this dash sucks just saying it could have been better. I’ve been in a lot of 50s cars. (31 one so far on the channel and more in the pipeline) based on research and doing 31 50s cars for this channel this dash looked plain to me, and added after the fact their were people who agreed with the comment are you going to go after their character too?
A reasonable person has enough brains to tell if a design is good or if it's lacking, Nicholas, and no one has the right to try to shame someone offering an opinion just because they don't have a degree from the Frank Lloyd Wright School or Carnegie Mellon.
I would assume, I’m not sure, maybe, it’s possible that, bottom line is you need to do your research dude. Your interior lighting for the video is terrible. You’re obviously not a real car guy, so why don’t you stick to what you know or what you’re good at.
That car was in a dark back room.. I do lots of research on all the cars featured.. I am a car guy love classic cars.. that car was the most expensive car in America in 1956 $105,000 in today’s money just didn’t feel like 105,000 car but I’ve been in a 1976 Mercedes 450 sl and that car doesn’t make sense to me 1980 car cost 126,000 FOR WHAT.. to say I’m not a car guy would be like saying a tree doesn’t know anything about photosynthesis..., or a better analogy would be like saying Jimmy page from Led Zeppelin can’t play/ know anything about the guitar..
The most beautifully styled car from any American automaker hands down....at least that's my opinion. :)
It’s definitely in my top ten
Agree. The 1936 to 37 Cords were a close 2nd, but both models, as Jay points out, had the Gordon Buehrig touch. (I'm not sure how to pronounce his last name either!!)
Rear seat heat was provided via the vent in the lower rear part of the doors. Future Lincolns also used this. I believe Cadillac did as well. What a car this is - Elegance that never goes out of style. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome information thank you so much =)
My all time favorites. So many innovations in 1956 including selling bread by the gallon 😂
Sometimes I throw some gaffes in there just to make sure people are paying attention great catch
I would have been the guy who lived in a dump, and drove this Mark II. What a trim car!
Nice =)
Original mustang down sized the proportions but kept pretty much the same styling in a more trim size based on the falcon platform.
I've always enjoyed these. Sort of like a big thunderbird!
I thought the same thing but decided not to say it.. it really looks like it we it’s parked behide all the other models and the thunderbird is even in front of it =)
Indeed! Also enjoyed the 57 to 59 retractable "Skyliners" that Ford had rolling off the line at about the same time. Imagine that owners got many surprised looks as they took their solid tops down while parallel parked or in the country club lot.
One of the most handsome designs in automotive history.
There was one, a 56 in my home town in Southern California. We all knew who was driving past when we saw it.
As a boy, once saw a lady driving a Mark through my home town on ice covered streets in the middle of a snowstorm, about 1970. Wanted to get out and yell at her to find a motel and get that precious piece of American automotive history off the road until everything dried up.
@@billolsen4360 Oh, amen! Possibly she was hurrying home or just didn’t realize what she was driving.
Also, I called a friend of mine who still lives in that town in Southern California and he said he has seen the car but it’s in the garage with the tires stuck to the floor. Sad.
You truly do a wonderful job with these videos. They are amazingly in-depth, and detailed. I’ve been looking for a channel like this for some time! So thanks for doing these, keep up the amazing work :)
Thank you so much Travis it really means a lot to me I’m trying to grow this channel I want it to be the go to Classic Car channel one day that’s the end goal. =)
The Continental Mark ll is a magnificent machine!!! Elvis Presley owned a white one. I'm guessing that this one doesn't have the optional air conditioning since I didn't see any vents in the ceiling!!!! Thanks for showcasing this beautiful Continental!!! 👍👍🙂
Another reason to like Elvis! The guy was a car nut. Brought back both a new BMW 507 and a Messerschmidt 2-passenger tandem seat Microcar after his Army hitch in Germany was up.
It is possibly the best looking car made in the 1950s
The format has really changed since that episode I would love to cover that car again
The most beautiful car ever built.
The whole point of the Mark II was understated elegance. This was a lesson lost on Ford executives when Continental was folded into Lincoln. The ‘58-‘60 styling was outlandish and bizarre and dammed near killed Lincoln. Understated came back with the ‘61 and they proved that elegance always sells to the discerning.
Totally agree one day I wish to compare the continental mark II the Eldorado brougham
Thanks for the video . I have owned a Mark 2 for the last 30 years. We call her Queen Mary. She has spent her entire life in Tucson Arizona, and was the 5th Avenue show car at the New York city dealership. I am the second owner.
Mine came from the same Tucson dealer, Selby Motors. Originally the same color as yours.
Awesome what’s it like to drive?? =)
@@What.its.like.my Mark II is great to drive! They are truly amazing cars right!? Thank you for showcasing them and getting most of the correct information. Actually my comment about the same color and dealer was to @Fred Klein
@@sirknickolissiv4083 Mine is Sky Blue. I love driving the car, and try getting it out on the road weekly. As to driving, I feel like I am driving on my living room couch !
@@fredklein724 Selby sold quite a few Mark II's. I forget how many. They must have been quite a sight in Tucson back then.
The most elegant car Ford ever made. They could have produced them for years afterwards with no changes. But Ford never figured out that it was such a classic, that they could have made them for years until they broke even on their investment.
Ford rang the bell again with the 1968 with the Mark III, though. Simple and elegant lines once again.
One of the most stunning cars built. So simplistic and bold in styling.
It is did you see this one is super charged
Two tone paint is not available on 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II. Several colors are offered for 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II are : White, black, red, blue, and green. Lincoln Continental Mark II only came with 2 door hardtop. Maroon is another color.
Truly one of the most beautiful American cars of all time.
Yeah it is
It aged like fine wine. Some new cars haven’t aged well like in my opinion I don’t thing the Bugatti veyron is aging well... and the be honest 08 era everything kinda sort of sucked don’t get me wrong there were some good cars to come out of that era. My bro has a 2006 escalade short wheelbase AWD version.. I want to do that car so bad, my brother got in trouble and so it has that breathalyzer in the car can’t drive unless you blow, that will be one to look for.. that was $60k new for 5k lbs of plastic
I remember the first time I saw one of these, as I was walking home from school, I was 7.(always been a car guy) It was parked in front of a carbon paper plant across from Desilu studios on Ince Blvd Culver City. It was light green. I stared at it, looked inside and even then, knew as anothers car "don't touch the paint" I stood there looking at it for perhaps 10 miutes - transfixed. It belonged to the owner, he came out and - - - offered me a ride home. I'll never forget how wonderful that ride was, nice man, beautiful car, different times. Just an absolute beautiful piece of machinery. Thanks for the memories!
Thank you for sharing that story it was awesome. =) I could only imagine what that would feel like to see that kind of car when you were a kid, I was born way way too late I wish that I grew up with these cars. Everything is so similar and boring now
Such a great story! I had a neighbor down the country road who had a black one. Always marveled at it when I would see it pass by in the 60s and 70s.
@@What.its.like. "Everything is so similar and boring now" Yes they are. I love watching old movies and TV. The wife (not a car person at all) will say "ok name the cars" Sometimes you just see a vent window, a grill, a tail light and I can tell you make, model, sometimes trim level. Now? I see an suv, cuv and I can't tell one make from the other many times - - it's boring. Then of course - we have Black, White, shades of S ilver with the one or two red or blue thrown in. Boring - - I'll admit a well cared for Black can look beautiful on some models as can white. But how about some color America, Europe has lots!
Keep up the good work!
A car was more than transportation it was you who you are as a person, not saying it’s not like that now, it’s generic everything is. I’m super old school. Someone asked yesterday when I was buying a new car and I looked back at him and replied never. I’ll never buy another new car again. Honestly if I could have things my way I’d drive 50s and 60s cars and have a mid 30s packard =)
New cars are great but once one owns all there cars and no car payments that’s freedom why would anyone want to give up that freedom, currently have two Honda odessey vans and 52 truck that’s the fleet nothing over the top but what I have is mine =)
@@What.its.like. Agreed (well sort of) my last car a 199.5 New Jetta I drove for nearly 300,000 miles. Paid for up front. No payments for a month short of 20 years. Now? A 2016 Transit Connect and a 2018 Escape. Nice vehices (dogs, need room) that said - - while nice, reliable, reasonable drivers. There is no soul to these vehicles. I'll drive my 73 911T over any of them, bought from new all original. I'd also love to have my 60 Buick Invicta Custom back or my 70 Nova SS built from scratch usin the build sheet they used back then. 350 3.73 differential, delete the side louvers on the front fenders, and many other tweaks and it only too 4 weeks to get delivered. And you couldn't beat those red stripe tires for looks. Out the door for a rousing 2700 dollars.
A true work of Art!💕
Totally is
This is by far my favorite car of all time!
It’s crazy that car had a supercharger on it I couldn’t find any information on another one the dealership said that doing research on that car they found that it was one of three but it might be one of one left in existence
Thanks for another great car video.
We are all learning.
I like your niche of "other " cars.
Also your style..
Tootaloo!!!
Thank you so much that means a lot hoping this channel will be one of the go to classic car channels one day
@@What.its.like.
Me too..
Meanwhile I will keep watching and sharing .
The dashboard is beautifully designed. The top section of the doors continues around becoming the little wall under the windshield. The dash pad is a rather thin horizontal winglike shape straight across the car that terminates at the far side at that curved wall below the windshield. The basic concept of the Jaguar XJ model that just ended is the same. Look it up. The instruments are SUPPOSED to look like rectangular pods above and below. The incredible completely different 1956 Lincoln dash is the same concept. The below part has added sections in the center, like the front of a console on most bucket seat cars seen today. (this typical-now console design wasn't even invented until Ford did it with the 1958 Thunderbird).
My dad had one cream ext crimson int. What a beauty one of my favorites of all time.
Awesome
Back in the mid-sixties, when I was about 13-14, the Lincoln-Mercury dealer 2 blocks from my house used to have several of these on their lot. They were just 10 year old cars at that time. I would ride my bike up there when they were closed, and to my surprise, they never locked any of these cars! So, I would sit in them and play with the knobs and such. The windows worked without the key on. The Mk II is absolutely one of the most gorgeous cars ever. The taillights sure looked similar to the early 50s Cadillacs, and Pontiac wagons of the 71-76 years. I still say you have been stalking me even before I found your channel! (j/k)
PS: Ford was experimenting with supercharging their 57 cars; I wonder if the Continental used some pre-production parts, altho that unit on the Connie looks a lot different than the McCulloch units used in 57.
It's called the Mark II because before WWII was the Lincoln Continental, a 2-door with a V12 engine. Still a very nice car.
Yeah two cars wore the Continental badge before this car, but this is the only car continental produced as a separate make =)
"Mark I" Continental was Sonny Corleone's car.
Love the super charger 🐿
Only one I’ve even saw.. 3 known to exist is what I was told
The five heater/vent levers were to suggest the throttles of a multiengine plane. A lot of Mark II buyers would have been in WWII or the Korean War and had seen bomber cockpits, or seen war movies and TV shows with bombers or airliners so very cool. Lever controls show up on other Lincolns, Mercurys, and others. The far left and right levers are for vents someplace under the sides of the dash, probably the round shapes seen in the kick panels. Outside air, no fan, no connection to the heaters which also sucked outside air. The two heaters were probably like in '58-60/'61-64 Lincolns, located in the room between the front wheel well and the firewall. The separate heater/fan units also fed air to the defrost vent on its side. But NO left and right controls, just each lever affecting both units equally.
Awesome thank you so much for sharing that information =)
Incredible find with a supercharger.
Yeah this car isn’t for sale it was in their back room with a bunch of other cool cars that we will look at another day I shot one other car in the back room the other day I plan on going back in and there was a lot of cool stuff that I didn’t get to do I did 8 cars that day, running out of video storage lol
I couldn’t find any information on it I was really intrigued to see how much horsepower it put out The car featured was a 56 Continental, 57 has some differences that I forgot to mention in the video more color were available in 57, I did mention the horsepower increase. There was also vents added just behide the rear quarter windows. I plan on looking for a 57 made it will have air and maybe even be able to drive it =)
Check out Cold War Motors on TH-cam for an interesting restoration of a '56 Continental Mark II that is an ongoing project. They used a LOT of lead on these! Really amazing work recreating a rear quarter panel. Not in every episode, but easy to find the pertinent videos.
Beautiful car, but that tacked-on gauge was...tacky. Loved how even the door release was color matched to the car. And the chrome surrounding the inside of the door opening was wretched excess, my personal favorite. I'd never heard of the supercharger option being available from the dealer. Really interesting tidbit! Thanks!
Thank you so much for watching I will look them up I couldn’t find any information about the supercharge model other than the fact that This car was at barret Jackson at one point because they had a car that looked identical to this one being the only made three unless they made all three of them in this green color and that was probably the one that was at Barrett Jackson but they didn’t even have any information on it they just said look super charger
Very nice 👍 I enjoy your channel. Thank you for your work. 😊
I glad you dig the channel more cars coming we love the orphan cars on here =)
3:33 (and again at 15:55) magazine ad lists in the Ford family of fine cars: the Ford, the Thunderbird, the Mercury, the Lincoln, the Continental. That implies Thunderbird was somehow its own brand, but it never was. (They must have just been high on its success...) The later 60s-90s Mark III through VII were also branded "Continental" - they did not say Lincoln on them. The Mark VII changed to a "Lincoln" mid-run and the Mark VIII was just Lincoln.
They say Lincoln in the back I think
I could be wrong though the only continental continental made was 56 and 57 it went back under the Lincoln brand and 58 but it’s confusing because they still put continental on their cars but they weren’t sold as a individual brand,To my knowledge
There is a video of Elizabeth Taylor's car on TH-cam. Painted the color of her violet blue eyes. It is beautiful beyond belief.
Wow I didn't know there were supercharged ones! We have a black 56 model. Really neat cars.
They are super rare I believe that is one of three and information doesn’t exist
I always loved these cars a neighbor growing up had 2 in his garage, a white one and a black one and I originally thought they were some kinda t bird. That neighbor had everything I liked a house with a swimming pool and a beautiful view of the Puget Sound bay and 2 beautiful twins girls plus the twin continentals, I found out the hard way he was more protective of his girls than his cars 😂😂
This one is still for sale I’m half tempted to go try to do it again because it was in a really dark location superstellar car I couldn’t find any information on the supercharged cars evidently they made three With dealership installed superchargers it would be really cool to go for a ride in this car but they put salt down on the roads to the odds of that happening are nil
I agree with you, for a car of this class and cost the binnacle gauges do look rather as if plopped on at last minute. Compare with even Chev and other Ford dashes of the era - never mind higher-end Buick, Cadillac etc.
It looks better once you're behind the wheel, though, since each of the four dials have depressions in the upholstery of horizontal plane of the padded cash to accommodate them. My favorite dash is still the 1969 Grand Prix.
Also ,THE TOWN AND COUNTRY RADIO HAD A FOOT CONTROL BUTTON NEXT TO THE BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH TO CHANGE STATIONS WITHOUT TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD.
Thank you so much for sharing that information =)
I’ve been watching all ur videos and obsessed…what would be a cool video (and wouldn’t be much more research) is perhaps just ones by year and how they were price positioned…or even a Versus…I watched the caddy going against this one if it was put like a side by side (sometimes you do it for the same model different years). Would be so cool. Keep up the great videos and enthusiasm 🙏🏼
Thank you so much for that tip. I’m glad you dig this channel. Sorry for the delayed response. I had a lot going on the last couple days.
Actually Liz Taylor didn’t buy hers. I read that it was given to her by someone involved in making the film Raintree County at the end of filming (by the producer, director, studio?). It was painted a color to match her eyes apparently. Debbie Reynolds/Eddie Fisher also had one.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing =)
The only thing I find lacking in this car is the instrument panel. They could have really dressed up this interior with a worthy dash design.
Totally agree looks like they just tacked it on after the fact
My all-time favourite car the early 56 model had the air holes for the air conditioning above the back door
=)
You heard it here first! A loaf of bread was 18 cents a gallon in 1956. But seriously this was a good video.
Thank you this car was so cool and it was super charged.. one of three that were made I believe
I found this particular car on FB Marketplace for sale in Magnolia, OH. Interesting to me is the front tag, advertising radio station WVOK 690. That station was located in Birmingham, AL. So apparently this car spent some time in Alabama.
Yes that is the same car I kind of sort of want to go do it again because I was getting my feet wet so to speak with the Classic Car stuff like don’t get me wrong I’ve always been a Classic Car enthusiast I just didn’t know where to get information from lighting was a bit dark on that episode I would love to go and do it proper.. and it’s rare with the dealership installed super charger.. It would be awesome to hear that thing Run
Lincoln and Continental were exclusive brands in ‘58, ‘59, and ‘60 also.
I remember it well. My dad had one. He bought it used and as I recall, in 1959, he paid just $4,500 for it. It was black with cream-white interior. The highlight of my recall is that he let me have it to take my date to the senior prom. I don't think that my date even knew what it was, but and regardless, I liked it. What grand memories!
Thank you so much for sharing that awesome story I can’t believe it dropped that much in price in just a few years.
I have a 1964 issue of road and track the mustang issue in the back under the classifieds there’s a 1935 Bugatti type 35 for sale for $5000 granted $5000 in the 60s with a lot of money but if one bought that car then and held on to it now one would be really really rich.
He got it cheap
The continental mark 2 is one of my favorite classic cars I have only one complaint i dont know why the put the clock next to the speedometer in stead the of the tach...
I saw one of those way back in the day. 1989.
I have heard that they were almost all hand made. The funny thing is as old as the car is/was it looks great today.
I need to make a correction they where assembled by hand not built by hand there is a difference
and before you get one, head to Coldwar Motors. One of the guys from Strongs Garage has one. They are on year 3 of their "summer" build of 2020...so much lead...so much rust...carry on...
yes that storage cubby on the driver's door was an ash tray. no it was not accessible, but that's what it was intended for.
Yeah that seemed like an after thought
@@What.its.like. much like the gauge cluster. Mistakes were made on that interior.
I was going to add to my previous comment that the dashboard instrument cluster panel looks tacky add certain angles and add certain angles it looks right..Just not up to the level of car that it was
I think placing a gas filler behind the taillight or license plate is beauty of old cars in those days, although safety is question mark. I hope EVs will have these design idea, "Less is beautiful". The spare tire really sits behind the trunk arch, by the way.
It’s so cool it’s one thing that makes 50s cars cool it sucks it seems only like the 50s era tho
I think Cadillac invented the idea and it mostly showed up in GM cars. Ford products usually had it in the center underneath the license plate (or maybe fake grille-like trim), which would fold downward and was spring loaded.
Yeah I believe you’re right I think Harley Earl was the one who started that trend. I think the 1948 Cadillac 62 was the first car I could be wrong tho
Mark II Continentals in the movies & on TV: Hard-drinking Uncle Willie (portrayed by Louis Calhern) used a black beauty Mark II in "High Society" released 1956 also with Grace Kelly. Burt Lancaster as the Evil, Angry & Cruel newspaper columnist J.J. Hunsecker in "The Sweet Smell of Success" in 1957. Also in '57, 2 episodes of "Perry Mason," actor Raymond Burr's personal Mark II but used by other characters. TV show "Grace Under Fire" 1995-98. "The Valachi Papers," 1972.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing it =)
Another good video. It’s very helpful that you get a video showcasing the car at that time. I agree, for a car that was intended to be a crown jewel the dash and gauges look like an afterthought. Other than that the car has a very understated look. There was one of these in a neighborhood near me from the time I was in elementary school until high school. It was very attractive. Medium light blue metallic. What was the price of the most expensive Cadillac and Imperial at that time?
I’m not sure probably 8,9k there abouts... in 1957 the Cadillac Fleetwood brougham is $13,074 made because of this car.. I always had a soft spot in my heart for the continental I was wondering if there was anybody that owns one because I’ve read just like the negative that they’re not very fun to drive. They are more pleasant to look at.
Pretty super rare.
I couldn’t find any information on the supercharge cars apparently they made three of them so this was one of three
Not a bad presentation, at all! The chrome door jambs were for wear and rust prevention, not for glitz. Buehrig was adamant that everything about the car would be absolutely top quality, and he was the head body engineer. As for the instrument panel, I always thought that it resembled the instrument panel on the 1951-53 Packard, which John Reinhardt designed also.
=)
The best Scottish leather available at the time if I remember correctly.
That's correct, Bridge of Wier.
The 1957 Ford Thunderbird came with a factory Supercharger option. The "F" code 312. However, one could get dealer installed superchargers on 1955 and 1956 T-Birds. I know of at least one 1955 T-Bird that had two 4 bbl carbs with a dual supercharger dealer installed.
Man I’d totally like to hear what that sounds like =)
Great channel. How about doing the original Olds Toronado?
For sure thank you for the request I’ll add that to the list =)
*Wishing you all a Wonderful Winter Solstice.*
A traditional celebration dating back over 5000 years ago where the Sun is literally rebirthed in the passageway of an ancient tomb.
"The Grand Passage Tomb." A World Heritage site. Witness the rebirth in person.
A celebration of life and renewal, peace and camaraderie with food, song, dance, drink and good cheer.
Happy Holidays.
Let the Sunshine In...
*Be Happy*
*Solstice Night by S J Tucker"
I never knew they sold bread in gallons 🙂. Also you DID call it a Lincoln Continental at one point.
It's a funny thing that the State of California had the 1956 registrations for the make of this car printed as "Lincoln"
You forgot Elvis,the Continental is on display at Graceland
One needs to appreciate the cultural perceptions of the time. Everyone was anticipating the design of this day and into the future. In context Continental succeeded. Let's suppose they shortened the wheelbase by 2" and increased the cab by 2" thereby making a much more balanced product in appearance. Suddenly du jour an invincible classic may have emerged.
A lesson for us all, what we value most "cool today" may not impress historians centuries from now.
You mentioned wacky and unusual cars, 57/58/59 plymouths are both of those things
I will look for those Plymouth for sure=)
@@What.its.like. nice!
Better make sure Christine doesn't hear you say that!!
GM was able to keep their five brands because Cadillac led in the luxury market, and their other four brands held four of the top six sales spots in the U.S. most years (not counting pickup and vans). Obama forced GM to drop Pontiac during the bailout, or they would still be around.
That’s very true Obama and Aztec killed Pontiac.
I have often thought what a shame it was to drop the Oldsmobile. Ransom Olds and his little curved dash runabout was a piece of automotive history. Buick was supposed to be second, in quality and prestige, under Cadilac. But frankly, the Oldsmobile was as good or better than the Buick (in my opinion).
@@hallhall5777 GM replaced Olds with Saturn, which was a mistake.
That’s were Saturn cane from I always wondered but that makes total sense thank you so much for sharing =)
I second that notion
Gordon 'bee-u-rigg'
Awesome thank you for that =)
At a classic car show a Mark II will have the most people gathered around it.
Very true
The dash... I like it, but... BUT... that vacuum gauge for the supercharger really does look a tacked on Auto Zone accessory as an afterthought, and it does look tacky for a car like this. Might have been better to have a dummy space in one of the dash pods that could have had it put in after. Maybe moved the tach next to the speedo and then put the clock in the upper part of the last pod, and a spot for the boost if needed in the bottom part. But what's done is done, and even a car like this having a tach in the 50's was something... My Grandpa had a '59 Continental (NOT a Lincoln) and that thing was HUUUGE. When I was a kid, the backseat was like a playground for me. It was this gawdawful green with a cream color interior that as I remember was really scratchy.
I’ll have to find one of those the windshield in the back goes down
@@What.its.like. yeah, it was canted inward and you could ride hanging out of it... hey, it was the 60's... lmao
@@What.its.like. On the '58-60 Continental models, but not Lincolns. They were basically otherwise the same car but trimmed differently.
@Eric the only cars that are true Continentals, not Lincolns are the Mark II's manufactured in 56 and 57. After the division was dissolved they are a trim level.
@@sirknickolissiv4083 Did not know that... all I remember was the front fender, I believe, had Continental on it, not Lincoln. In '70 he traded it in for a new Lincoln Continental, not a Mark though... that was a beauty... dark blue with dark blue leather interior... loved that car!
Hey ,wheres the guess the song quiz?? anyway Great videos
That was before I had the thought of doing it the very early episodes I sang the songs because I was afraid of copyright blockage but then I found out that as long as Google can’t figure out what the song is it won’t get blocked.. I saw your Garth Brooks song one time and it sounded just like Garth and it got blocked lol
Glad you dig that one was rare I was told it was only one of three that was super charged
Could you do a 1950 nash ambassador?
I’ll add that to the list =) I reached out to do an airflyte never heard back from them =)
Don't forget GM lost Oldsmobile in 2004 and Pontiac in 2008!😥
👍👍👍👍👍
With all due respect, the Continental Mark II was not “totally hand-built”. It was hand-assembled. I never knew that in the US, in 1956, that “bread was 18 cents a gallon”. Everywhere else, bread was sold in loaves.
Yes thank you for catching those spots in need of corrections =)
@@What.its.like. thank you for not taking offence. I really enjoyed the video.
Well heck, JSD HK drink a gallon of milk with that loaf of bread ! Bread EATEN by the gallon! LOL - -
@@richardwarren7492 hahahahaha! I’ll do exactly that!
Bread was 18 cents a GALLON back then? 😆
I know right
What a gaffe =D
Continental Mark II is a big third
Going to hit this again would love to compare this the the Cadillac
Bead loafs are now determined by gallons. Who knew.
Mistakes where made I even listened to the whole video after it was done didn’t catch that
@@What.its.like. LOL, no worries. Brah, you have got to get rid of that annoying sign-off.
That’s my thing tho I’ll switch it up every now and then maybe not do head voice
The name Contintal was a dumb idea. There is a company called continental that make airplane engines. "Lincoln Continental" sounds like a Lincoln powered by a Continetal Engine, which is false. It's got a Ford V8 under the hood.
By that ridiculous metric any and every name for a car is "dumb" because they are named after things other than cars.
Get a grip of yourself Sir Spergsalot.
The 312.
=)
A Big t Bird
Love everything about this car except the dashboard; looks like they ran out of time and just threw something together in the last seconds of a deadline.
I totally agree I got so much flack for saying that, however many years ago that episode was aired but I truly believe that the dashboard was sort of a forgotten aspect and they’re like oh what do we do about the dash and then they just tacked it on there
@@What.its.like. Something was definitely amiss there. That said, Ford got it right with the superb '65 Thunderbird interior styling, dashboard included.
The most damming criticism of these cars is even though there were only 3000 made you can easily find one for sale any day of the week. They are good from afar, but far from good. The tacked on gauges are such a let down. Hand made really seems like home made. It would take a lot of money to make that interior as good as the exterior styling seems to promise. And any Johnny lunchbox could have a bought brand new 57 Chevy for a tenth of the price! These are historical curiosities only. Save one or 2 good ones, then let's restomods the rest of them!
I totally agree I got a lot of flack for saying the gauges look like they were an after thought.
This was an expensive car when new but just like you said not hard to find now and can be had for less then most think... I’ve been in the Continental Mark II as well as Cadillac brougham and the dual ghia.. the dual ghia is the best one of those three rare fast and comfortable seats
edSel, not edZel. Named after a supremely high-style son of Henry Ford, Edsel fostered slap-in-his-face 'homage' with its gawky and oft-derided inaugural '58 design followed by fast collapse of the entire upstart marque.
In the 1950s Ford wanted to make a car that was more luxurious than a Cadillac. Air conditiong was an option, not standard equiptment. why? because Originally the Mark II was to have an optional Retractable Hardtop i.e. when it was hot the trunk opened backwards and a steel roof mounted ona bunch of hinges and levers was lifted off the car and lowered into the trunk.
The car would become a roadster with a breeze to keep you cool.
This is why the roof is SO small ( it also makes the car look sporty.)
Ford's retractable roof was never perfected. It was an option on a coupe called a Ford Skyliner.
This device had dozens of electric motors. If you were outside with the top down and it started raining, you could put the roof up ,most of the time, But sometimes one of those motors failed and you would drive home in the rain with the roof and trunklid up in the air, in a position half-way between up and down.
So this was not an option on what was called the best car in the world.
I'm not sure why I like this car. It is not very attractive. There are no exterior styling cues that I can say I love. I guess it is the level of detail along with fit and finish. That door is beautifully done. I don't think I'd have wanted to buy one with even the 57 Chevy Bel air being significantly prettier at a fraction of the cost. And the Caddy for 57? This car comes nowhere close. It probably would have done well as a 55, but the competition even within Ford was astounding in 57. In my opinion Three years stand out in automotive history. 1957, 1970, and 1987.
They are nice very understated car that’s for sure it’s really long in person. The coolest thing about this one is it’s supercharged
You have to see one in the flesh to appreciate it best. The lines have a muscular quality that photos don't pick up very well, plus the cute rear end.
Ultimately, the Y-block V-8 was problematic
I think that was a bigger block than the early - mid 1950's Ford Y block such as the "Thunderbird" 312 but probably had similar limitations as to the power that could be produced vs. competitor's engines such as Chrysler,Oldsmobile or even AMC (yes,even with lower claimed horsepower could the little Nash Rambler outrun it the way the Cadillac was outrun? I think so.
In just a few years I think the bigger block Lincoln engines such as the 410 (430?) came out,did some people swap those into their Mark II ?
I think your comment on the dash is baseless. It’s very obvious you have NO training in Industrial Design. You really need a background in design to be able to comment (with expertise) on the design work of others who had the training you lack.
It was an opinion was all , this was the. Most expensive car made in America in 1956. The caliber of everything should be next level. I’m not saying this dash sucks just saying it could have been better. I’ve been in a lot of 50s cars. (31 one so far on the channel and more in the pipeline) based on research and doing 31 50s cars for this channel this dash looked plain to me, and added after the fact their were people who agreed with the comment are you going to go after their character too?
A reasonable person has enough brains to tell if a design is good or if it's lacking, Nicholas, and no one has the right to try to shame someone offering an opinion just because they don't have a degree from the Frank Lloyd Wright School or Carnegie Mellon.
I would assume, I’m not sure, maybe, it’s possible that, bottom line is you need to do your research dude. Your interior lighting for the video is terrible. You’re obviously not a real car guy, so why don’t you stick to what you know or what you’re good at.
That car was in a dark back room.. I do lots of research on all the cars featured.. I am a car guy love classic cars.. that car was the most expensive car in America in 1956 $105,000 in today’s money just didn’t feel like 105,000 car but I’ve been in a 1976 Mercedes 450 sl and that car doesn’t make sense to me 1980 car cost 126,000 FOR WHAT.. to say I’m not a car guy would be like saying a tree doesn’t know anything about photosynthesis..., or a better analogy would be like saying Jimmy page from Led Zeppelin can’t play/ know anything about the guitar..
Too much talking
That’s what this channel does. It explains things without talking there’s no explanation.