The 1959 Continental Mark IV embodied the pinnacle of late 1950s American automotive design, which was characterized by the philosophy of “more is more.” It was distinguished by its enormous size, striking tail fins, and abundant chrome accents. This model was officially marketed as the Continental Mark IV and was closely related to the Lincoln Premiere in terms of technology and style. 1959 was the last year in which the model was marketed under the independent Continental Division (Ford Motor Company) before being integrated into the Lincoln model range as the Lincoln Continental Mark V in 1960.
Design highlights: The car had a long, streamlined body measuring over 5.8 meters in length. A special feature was the optional electrically retractable rear window (Breezeway window) on the sedan models and a complex, electrically operated soft top mechanism on the convertibles.
Luxurious interior: The interior was extremely spacious and could accommodate up to six passengers. The equipment included features that were advanced for the time, such as power windows, 4-way (or 6-way in the Mark IV) power seat adjustment, power steering, and power brakes. Air conditioning was available as an option.
Driving experience: Despite its weight of over 2.3 tons (unladen weight), the vehicle offered an extremely comfortable, almost “floating” driving experience thanks to its soft suspension and power steering, ideal for long highway cruises.
