1957 Lincoln Continental MkII

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT (a company buying the car will always have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT).

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA.

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

The car will require recommissioning prior to full road use and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

This LHD auto 1957 Lincoln Continental Mk II comes with one or two bits of paper but no service records or provenance.

Here’s what we know.

The car has the chassis number C56S3860.

It was purchased for the vendor’s collection in 2008.

It was living in Georgia, USA, prior to that date.

The odometer says it has covered 63,297 miles.

We also know that it was winning the top prize at local and national car shows in 2000 and 2001 – and it’s still very easy to see why.

Aside from a few cosmetic issues (more of which later) this car appears to be in really quite exceptional condition.

The bodywork is largely devoid of any dinks, dents, nicks, folds or creases of note.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are consistent and even.

The pale metallic green paintwork is really very good overall.

Assuming that the car has been resprayed at some point (it’s a 1957 car, so that’s a fairly safe assumption), then it looks to have been done very thoroughly, as the engine bay appears to have been painted at the same time.

The obvious exception to all the good news is on the boot lid, where some unknown liquid (oil, tar?) has been spilled.

This may or may not yield to an appropriate cleaning product – we don’t know.

There is a small bubble on the roof, a little bit of rust visible around the rim of the n/s headlamp, and the dried residue of what looks like adhesive tape on the n/s/r wing and below the rear screen.

One or two stone chips can be seen on the driver’s door and there are some scuffs on n/s/r wing just behind the door.

The wheels seem fine as does all the exterior chrome.

Some of the rubber trim around the windscreen is a little sticky and deformed.

All in all, though, the car presents very well indeed.

The very green interior looks to be authentic and original as far as we can tell.

It is in almost time-warp condition.

The two-tone green leather upholstery is excellent, both front and back, and seems to be largely untroubled either by use or the passage of time.

The carpets and mats are very good (there are extra mats in the boot), as is the headlining.

The door cards, too, are in fine fettle, although there is a small split on the passenger side door card.

The top of the dashboard has some blistering and a rough patch on the passenger side.

The steering wheel, gear selector, instruments, dashboard and all interior fixtures and fittings look to be in first-class order.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

The boot is entirely in keeping with the rest of this car’s very impressive interior. It contains a spare wheel and a set of tools that looks almost brand new.

The undersides appear to have plenty of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself before reaching your own conclusion.

The engine and engine bay are remarkably clean, dry and fresh looking - and everything looks to be in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals are in proper working order and amenable to recommissioning, we think this 1957 Lincoln Continental Mk II is not that far away from recapturing its concours-winning form of 20 or so years ago.

We’re very much inclined to think you might struggle to find a better one.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £30,000 - £50,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.