1958 Continental Mark III clamshell 4-door

[Barry Wolk]

It almost happened. It made it into clay and then it made it this far, a huge step closer to production.

I have a full set of cross-section drawings for this car. Would anyone like to see them.

Sorry they're so big, but I thought you'd appreciate the detail.

[Dan Szwarc]

The 58 mark II was going to be one ugly car. Or was that the 61 based on the 60 design?

[WhiteLightning]

Would love to see more . Was this a mark II design or its successor ??

[Barry Wolk]

Would love to see more . Was this a mark II design or its successor ??

This was just an expansion of the line. The Mark II Coupe design was supposed to last for years, like the Rolls-Royce.

[Barry Wolk]

[Dan Szwarc]

Wow. Why can't we have this for the cars that were actually built?

[Barry Wolk]

I have a copy of the cross-section prints for the Mark II that I'll be posting.

[Dan Szwarc]

I actually wish they made that car. It would have been another suicide-door model.

[Barry Wolk]

Wow. Why can't we have this for the cars that were actually built?

I've asked the head of Ford and Lincoln design if build books and drawings exist for the slab-sides. We'll see.

It is possible the Benson Ford Research Center has them, too.

[Dan Szwarc]

If you can find design documents for the 66-67 models, I'll contribute financially because I know Benson Ford charges for their copies (mostly for the cost of copying, but an FU fee because they can). Just let me know.

I have the 67 wiring manual (66 doesn't exist or just isn't in their files).

[tomo]

It is too bad that they didn't build that car. It would have sold better than the Coupe.

The fees that are charged for copies help support the Archives. I haven't ordered any since 2000, because they would not produce electronic copies or paper copies that were reasonable in size. Are they providing electronic copies now?

[Barry Wolk]

I think they might for credentialed researchers, but I've always received full-size Production Orders and other documents.

I think you might be correct in your assumption of better sales for a 4-door sedan as the gentry set that these were marketed to often still had a driver in the '50s. Rear seat access in the "Sport Coupe" really stinks, especially for a lady in a formal dress. There's really nothing sporty about the Mark II. Don't know why they called it that. Actually, one of the biggest complaints about the Mark II was from women that rightfully claimed that they couldn't get out of the front seat in a lady-like manner with a skirt on. I can understand why.

[Dan Szwarc]

Designed by men, for men. Typical 50s. And 60s. And 70s. And 80s. Etc.

[Barry Wolk]

Yes, that's what you see when you see period technical drawings. A big thing in the '50s was hats and the Mark II was one that succumbed to the fad of the time. The roof os 3" taller than it needed to be, just to accommodate hats. Glad were past that phase.

Harley Earl broke ground in the area in the '50s with a number of female designers. They were relegated to doing interior work, but could add their touches to design. Smart man, he was.

[mikemm]

.

Actually, one of the biggest complaints about the Mark II was from women that rightfully claimed that they couldn't get out of the front seat in a lady-like manner with a skirt on. I can understand why.

Barry
Are you trying to tell us you have driven the Mark in a skirt ?