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This 1956 Continental Mark II is nicely preserved 50s luxury car that was one of the nicest cars money could buy in its day and still is today! The origin story of the Continental Mark II dates back to the early 50s when Edsel Ford, the youngest son of William Clay Ford, led the newly created Special Product Operations division of Ford Motor Company. The Special Products Operations Division was tasked with creating a successor to the highly prestigious Lincoln Continental that would live up to the high bar set by the premium model thats final year of production concluded in 1948. Ultimately, Edsel Fords team came up with a design that they would end up calling modern formal that featured functional yet timeless design. On October 16, 1954, William Clay Ford made a major announcement to the Ford Motor Company; that the Special Products Operations Division would become the Continental Division and that the newly renamed division would be Ford Motor Companys top-of-the-line flagship brand sitting even higher up than Lincoln. Initially teased as the Rebirth of A Proud Tradition, the new car would finally make its public debut on October 6, 1955, at the Paris Auto Show, with the Continental Division debuting its brand new Continental Mark II. The low production Mark II bore a nearly $10,000 price tag so everyone knew that this new Continental Mark II was a car of consequence and its owners were people of both high society and high net worth. In fact, it was said that new Mark II sales were reserved for celebrities and extremely wealthy and prominent members of society. Like its predecessor, the Lincoln Continental, the Continental Mark II became an instant classic! With its long hood, short deck, tasteful chrome usage, and perfect proportions, the Mark II set the standard for how beautiful an American production car could be. The front end treatment included a ribbed mesh style grille with overlaid ribs that sat between a pair of headlights that tucked into recessed hooded pods. Above the ornate front end is wide flat hood appointed with distinctive Continental stars. Down the sides of the new Continental were body panels what felt more substantial and weighty than other cars of the era and they were sculpted in a tastefully subtle kind of way. In the rear, the quarter panels were slightly raised and incorporated a unique vertical taillight housing. Completing the rear end look was a faux-spare tire motif on the decklid that harkened back to the original Lincoln Continental. The interiors were extremely luxurious as well sporting very comfortable, heavily padded front and rear seating along with Tiffany-style dash accents and integrated door panel controls. Powering this Mark II is 368 Cubic Inch V8 engine fed by a single 4 barrel carburetor that was said to have pushed out almost 300 horsepower when new. The 368 V8 is backed by an automatic transmission, ensuring that just about anybody can take this 56 Continental for a spin around the block. Exhaust exits the 368 powerplant via a dual exhaust setup that generates a nice throaty sound. Being that the Continental Mark II was the most luxurious car in FoMoCos lineup in 1956, these cars came loaded with options. Power steering makes turning in this 56 Mark II much easier and improves the overall driving experience. With power brakes, bringing this nearly 5,000 pound luxury car to a complete stop a breeze, especially all that horsepower under a hood. Riding on a set of wide whitewall tires, each paired with a Continental full wheelcover, this Mark II has a truly elevated look going down the road. The exterior of this 1956 Mark II has been refinished in a beautiful Starmist White that completes the exquisite exterior look of the car. The interior of this 56 Continental Mark II is absolutely gorgeous! The front and rear bench seat have been reupholstered in beautiful two-tone arrangement consisting of Ivory and Blue vinyl. With a power front bench seat a