Property of a deceased's estate
1956 Lincoln Continental MkII Convertible Conversion

• One of six convertible conversions carried out in the 1990s
• Present ownership since 2019
• Modern air conditioning and modern alternator
• Likely to be the only example present in the UK

Nowadays synonymous with Lincoln, the 'Continental' model name was first used in 1940 for Bob Gregorie's masterly styling exercise on the existing V12 Zephyr chassis. A sportier, top-of-the-range companion to the Zephyr, the Continental started out as a personal, custom-bodied one-off commissioned by Lincoln boss Edsel Ford, and would be hailed as a classic of automotive design by authorities as diverse as the Museum of Modern Art and the Classic Car Club of America.

After a hiatus of some seven years, the luxurious range-topping Continental returned to the Lincoln range. Premiered at the Paris Salon in October 1955, the Continental MkII was a sublimely styled hardtop coupe created by a team that included Gordon Buehrig, William Clay Ford and John Reinhart. The MkII was powered by the most powerful (300bhp) of Lincoln's 368ci (6.0-litre) overhead-valve V8 engines and boasted a host of desirable features as standard including power steering, power brakes, power seats, power vents, AM radio, whitewall tyres and a heater. Air conditioning was the sole convenience option. Offered in 19 standard exterior colours and 43 interior design schemes with five interior fabrics to choose from, there was something for everyone. Leathers were supplied by Scotland's Bridge of Weir. Priced close to the then breathtaking $10,000 mark, the Continental MkII was necessarily a most exclusive automobile. Only 2,550 were made in 1956 and 446 in '57. Ford is reputed to have lost around $1,000 on every MkII sold.

While a convertible model never reached production, two 1956 MkIIs were converted on an official basis: one by Hess & Eisenhardt and the other by Derham Body Company. The latter car was given to the wife of William Clay Ford as a personal vehicle. In the 1990s, Collins Trim & Auto of Marion, Indiana completed a further six MkII conversions, this car being one of the last.

This Continental MkII is presented in Baby Blue with two-tone light blue/dark blue interior. It is powered by the 368ci Lincoln V8 engine and has Turbo-Drive three-speed automatic transmission. A soft, blue convertible top replaces the original steel roof. The late owner purchased the Continental from a US auction in 2019. Modern air conditioning and an alternator conversion were installed in 2021, and that same year the car attended the Hurlingham Club Concours. The Continental was enjoyed in the South of France between 2023 and 2024 before beingstored for the last two years; it runs and drives but needs fully checking over prior to extended use. Offered with starting instructions and a V5C document, this extremely rare Continental MkII Convertible is an unrepeatable opportunity for any collectors of American cars.