Our photos of this stunning custom Lincoln Continental Mark II are not terrific. Inside the warehouse, packed tightly among other cars and people…. is just a tough way to shoot an amazing vehicle like this.
We’re eager to share the car anyway, however, because it is just so damn cool.
Dubbed ‘Pro Heavy’ in custom classic circles, the machine has appeared in numerous magazines and car shows since its creation in the early 1990s.
The look of this Sam Foose creation is almost the ideal streamlined aesthetic that Lincoln might have wanted for the production car. Sans its original chrome and silly details like door handles, this big Lincoln coupe rides low on ultra-wide rubber and a brilliant Porsche shade of blue.
A custom cabin seals the deal, but needs a few updates for 2015. The trim is looking a bit filthy and the Momo steering wheel is silly and tacky. But there are still factory Lincoln details throughout, including the cool door-panels and a fantastically simple dashboard. Smooth and clean, the interior mirrors the beauty of the exterior very nicely.
The car is still available after a high bid of $100,000 didn’t meet expectations.
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II by Sam Foose
Lot S174.1// Kissimmee 2015 //
Jan 16-25
High Bid: $100,000
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II
Customized by Sam Foose
- Engine
460 CI - Trans
Automatic - Color
Blue - Interior
Gray
ESTIMATE: $125,000 – $175,000
Known as Pro Heavy, this nicely customized 1956 Continental Mark II first came to broad public attention when it appeared on the cover of Custom Rodder Magazine in March 1995. One of the major aesthetic successes of ’50s automobile design, the Mark II’s classic form is the perfect starting point for this custom showpiece, which relies more on subtle design retouches rather than a radical overhaul.
Denny Olson of Street Rods by Denny in Enumclaw, Washington, began the initial preparation, dismantling and stripping the car down to its bare elements, and basic reconstructive sheet metal work was performed by Al Swedberg. Customizer Sam Foose performed the final custom body work, including reshaping the nose and Frenching-in 1952 Ford headlight rings, lowering the height of the Continental bulge on the trunk, cleaning up the side windows and mating Sun Specs side mirrors to the windshield trim.
Foose then laid down the car’s DuPont 1994 Porsche Blue paint. The final coachwork was then lowered onto a custom chassis by Hot Rod Enterprises in Auburn, Washington. Lincoln power was used in the form of a 460 CI V-8 fitted with a Comp Cams bumpstick, Edelbrock carburetor, valve covers and air cleaner, Street and Performance serpentine belt system and a custom exhaust system by Auburn Muffler using Flowmaster mufflers for a distinct big-block burble.
A B&M torque converter, C6 automatic transmission and Rock valley stainless steel fuel tank were used to finish off the driveline and undercarriage. The custom interior by master talent Tom Sewell builds on the Mark II’s inherent elegance, employing a Momo steering wheel and substituting bucket seats and a console for the factory bench seat arrangement, while maintaining the pod-like instrument panel of the original. Twenty years after its realization, this custom built by the stars of the day remains one very sharp ride.
HIGHLIGHTS
– Known as Pro Heavy
– Featured in Custom Rodder in March 1995
– Body dismantled and stripped by Denny Olson of Street Rods by Denny in Enumclaw, Washington
– Sheet metal work by Al Swedberg
– Finish and custom bodywork by Sam Foose
– Custom chassis by Hot Rod Enterprises in Auburn, Washington
– 460 CI V-8 engine
– Comp Cams camshaft
– Edelbrock carburetor, valve covers and air cleaner
– Mallory ignition system
– Street and Performance serpentine system
– C6 automatic transmission
– B&M stall converter
– Rock Valley stainless gas tank
– Custom exhaust system by Auburn Muffler
– Flowmaster mufflers
– Frenched 1952 Ford headlight rings
– Wind wings removed and nose reshaped
– Lowered continental tire impression
– Sun Specs side mirror mated to windshield trim
– Dupont 1994 Porsche Blue paint
– Custom interior by Tom Sewell
– Momo steering wheel
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.