Debuting at the Paris Motor Show in October 1955, the Continental Mark II was the de facto flagship for Ford Motor Company during its two years of production. While a spiritual successor to the 1939-1948 Lincoln Continental, Ford elected to create a separate division for their most expensive model, simply called “Continental”. Positioned against the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley Continental, the resulting vehicle was priced at $9,966 – easily the most expensive vehicle produced in America until GM responded with the Eldorado Brougham in 1957.

Naturally, buyers of the new, ultra-exclusive, largely hand-built model enjoyed nearly every conceivable amenity as standard. In fact, the order sheets included only a single extra-cost option: air conditioning for $595. However, buyers were offered a plethora of paint options and interior materials. Such was the immense cost of production, it is estimated Ford lost nearly $1,000 on each vehicle. It is no surprise, then, Ford cancelled both the car and the marque after the 1957 model year and a grand total of 3,005 were completed. Today, these cars are vaunted for their incredible build quality and superb driving experience.

The exquisite 1956 Continental Mark II Coupe featured here is finished in gorgeous Platinum Metallic over a White & Deep Red interior. This incredible motorcar was just released from the Academy of Art University Museum in San Francisco and and is now ready for its next caretaker. This investment-grade Continental comes fitted with the only extra-cost option offered when it was new – factory-installed air conditioning – a rarely specified feature despite the model’s high cost of entry.