1956 CONTINENTAL MARK II

The original luxurious

Lincoln Continental first saw the light of day in

1939, but the model passed beyond the sunset nine years later. Anxious to grab a slice of the luxury market in the early Fifties, Ford put together a small group of engineers and stylists whose sole purpose was to develop a successor to that model, thereby re-establishing a regulation for excellence of design along with unsurpassed quality of construction. The Mark II Continental (technically not a ‘Lincoln’) was eventually introduced in October 1955 and, with its long bonnet, short boot with spare wheel moulding and very low centre of gravity, plus numerous luxury features, remains to this day a truly handsome-looking car for the discerning enthusiast.

Price guide: $37,800/£27,200

*(2dr Sport Coupe 8-cyl 368cu in/285bhp 4bbl)