Short-lived marque spawned from a Ford Special Products’ Division for the 1956 through the 1958 model years, initially selling the Mark II. Continental was intended to put Ford at the very top of the market, above Lincoln and GM’s Cadillac. However, Continental lost money on every Mark II it sold, despite the car’s benchmark-setting standards. Servicing was through Lincoln dealers. The Mark III brought Continental back to (relative) basics, but for the 1959 model year, Ford decided to bring the marque under Lincoln’s fold.

• Continental Mark II
• Continental Mark III