1956 Lincoln Mark II Continental

1956 Lincoln Mark II Continental

This is a rare 1956 Lincoln Mark II for sale. These handcrafted vehicles are held by many as the crown jewel of collector’s cars. This is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to own a great original and beautifully restored classic.

This example lived its entire life in sunny California and Arizona. It was first owned by Lindy Ciardelli, from Santa Clara CA. The owner before me was Nino Garcia from Sacramento who owned a famous guitar shop in that town, he started the restoration and had intended for the car to be white.  I purchased the car in 2016 and started a complete restoration. I have over $100,000 invested in this restoration. The interior colors have been changed to Black Charcoal and Kona, vs, the black and white livery as I received it. Every component has been reconditioned or rebuilt including but not limited to the complete Engine, six window motors, four blower motors and reconditioned original AC set up was added to this no AC car.

This total restoration has less than 2 miles with the original odometer showing 76,493 miles.

The Mark II was the most expensive American car of its time with a list price of over $10,000, it equaled in cost to the that of a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. One could purchase five 1957 Chevy’s for the cost of one Mark II.  3,005 of this model were produced during their production run from 1956 to 1957, and only 2500 were produced in 1956 including this beautiful example shown here.  They came fully loaded from the factory with every amenity a luxury car owner could desire, and Air Conditioning being the only option a new owner could choose.  This car came with factory installed A/C. 

The Mark II sported a large 368Y Block engine with 300hp and a Borg Warner Turbo drive 3–speed transmission.  Its luxurious ride is matched by few cars even today, and it’s design was conceived with the single purpose of making the passengers as comfortable as was possible in 1956. This car runs so smooth, it is amazing to drive. 

Each car had an owner’s name engraved into a brass plaque which was then affixed to the vehicle. Elvis Presley owned a white ’56 and today it sits in his Graceland Museum. Other famous Owners include John D. Rockefeller, Nelson Rockefeller, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Howard Johnson, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and the list goes on.  Basically, you were either famous, rich, or both if you owned one of these marvelous cars. 

#2849 was purchased from the Continental Division of the Ford Motor Company in February 1956 by Pape Lincoln-Mercury, Sunnyvale, California. The car had been ordered by F.A. Coleman but was actually sold to Lindy Ciardelli. Ciardelli was Owner and President of Linco Engineering Company, a manufacturer of Rocket Components for Lockheed Martin Spacecraft in Sunnyvale, California. Linco was located in Santa Clara, California. 

A subsequent owner was Nino Garcia who owned a famous guitar shop in Sacramento, CA. Garcia started the restoration and had intended for the car, originally #13 Deep Red to be white. However, Garcia passed before completing the car. I purchased the car in 2015 and started a complete restoration. I have invested over $100,000 in this restoration. The interior colors have been changed to Black Charcoal and Kona, vs, the black and white livery as I received it. Every component has been reconditioned or rebuilt including but not limited to the complete Engine, six window motors, four blower motors and of course the AC pump, clutch and dryer. 

This total restoration has less than 2 miles with the original odometer showing 76,493 miles.

I am selling the car because of age and health…There are a few items I have not completed, but for the asking price, the new owner can easily accomplish these… 

Items to be completed: 

Speedometer cable to transmission 90-degree worm gear unit (about 3” in size) not working but I am providing a good one to install 

Front seat motor stopped working, relay is clicking, so I am providing a working motor to be installed under the front seat 

Turn signal switch stopped working, needs adjustment 

Original pneumatic antenna not installed due to body shop losing my original. I am providing a replacement of original equipment. 

Brake sticking - Brake booster will need to be looked at even though totally 

rebuilt. 

Under hood lights are not installed but include a set of reconditioned lights. 

AC charge – The entire system was rebuilt and ready for 134a, but I did not have time to trailer the car to a shop to do the evacuation and charge. 

Parts and Literature in Trunk 

Literature 

11x17 wiring diagram 

Mark II story Book 

Mark II sales Brochure 

Technical Data book 

Body Parts Catalog 

Chassis Parts Catalog 

Master Parts Catalog 

Original pneumatic antenna 

Speedometer cable worm gear 

Original hood hinge springs – new owner can elect to install if desired, I installed a lighter weight spring and use a hood prop 

Under hood lights – these are refurbished 

Vacuum lines kit – I elected not to install this kit under the dashboard 

Located in Chapel Hill, NC 27517

For more information, please call 833-265-6113 and mention ID 32116C