Description
The Lincoln Continental is a series of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars produced by Lincoln, a division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. The model line was introduced following the construction of a personal vehicle for Edsel Ford, who commissioned a coachbuilt 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr convertible, developed as a vacation vehicle to attract potential Lincoln buyers. In what would give the model line its name, the exterior was given European "continental" styling elements, including a rear-mounted spare tire.
Third generation (1958–1960)
Mark III (1958)
For 1958, Continental released the Mark III in four bodystyles, including a 2-door hardtop and convertible, a 4-door pillared sedan, and a four-door hardtop sedan (called Landau). Although far less expensive than the Mark II, the Mark III remained well-equipped, retaining air conditioning as an option (relocated from the ceiling to the dashboard). The Mark III became the first Ford Motor Company vehicle to offer an FM radio tuner (as a rarely ordered option). A unique option was "Auto Lube", allowing for the car to lubricate itself (as long as an oil reservoir was kept full).
