1958 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK III CONVERTIBLE

By the late 1950s, the American car style meant bigger was better, and chrome was king. The 1958 Lincoln Continental MK III was the epitome in this regard. The MK IIIs rode on a unitized construction, 131-inch wheelbase and, with their Dagmar front bumper, were 231 inches long. They were the largest production autos of that era, weighing in at 5,300 pounds. Power was supplied by Lincoln's 430ci V8 engine producing 375hp with the 4-barrel carburetor. The fuel mileage was single-digit (9 mpg) in 1958, and, consequently, by 1960 the engine had been fitted with a 2-barrel carburetor, producing 315hp for a 12 mpg rating. This convertible version, one of 3,048 built in 1958, has a unique top with a breezeway rear window. The top is lowered with a series of motors and switches until it completely disappears beneath a rear hard tonneau cover. This vehicle was put through a complete, extensive restoration process taking several years and has been brought back to showroom condition. The unibody was brought to the bare metal and powder-coated. The unibody was completely disassembled, with all undercarriage components brought to the bare metal and powder-coated. The body was fared and repainted in its original Starmist White by an award-winning artisan. The original engine was rebuilt, balanced and refinished with a new stainless-steel exhaust. A new top with the correct Continental C-pillar insignia was installed, as well as Bridge of Weir leather upholstery in the car's original pattern and color. This Lincoln is loaded with all accessories of the time, including power brakes and steering, as well as air conditioning and, new for the era, an FM radio.

Comprehensive and extensive restoration for this example of the largest unibody car ever built. Painted in original Starmist White, with the original 430ci V8 engine and automatic transmission rebuild and has new interior. One of only 3,048 built in 1958.