1956 Continental Mark II Convertible by Derham
- Engine
- 368 cu in (approx. 6.0L) V8, 300 bhp, statically and dynamically balanced
- Colour
- Sky blue
A one-off 1956 Continental Mark II Convertible, constructed by the distinguished Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, on commission from Ford's Continental Division. Conceived when a production convertible variant appeared viable, the car debuted at the 1956 Texas State Fair before being acquired for personal use by Martha Firestone Ford, wife of William Clay Ford. Updated to 1957 mechanical specification at that time, it subsequently passed through a Ford engineer's hands before settling into six decades of Goeppinger family ownership. A unique survivor of an unrealised programme, it has been widely published and exhibited.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$296,500
- 1956 → 1957Factory deliveryFord Motor Company / Continental Divisionpartial documentation
Commissioned by the manufacturer as a prototype convertible; debuted at the Texas State Fair in late 1956 and subsequently toured shows around the country.
- 1957 →Acquisition unknownMartha Firestone Fordpartial documentation
Granddaughter of Harvey Firestone and spouse of William Clay Ford; the car was mechanically upgraded and refinished in sky-blue before she took personal possession. She later had it repainted in a dark metallic blue-green before parting with it.
- 1962-05-01 →Private saleWalter W. Goeppingerfull documentation
Deal finalised in May 1962; Goeppinger traded an award-winning 1947 Lincoln Continental plus cash. The car was returned to sky-blue livery during his ownership and has remained within the Goeppinger family for over six decades, including a professional repaint in 2011.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBob Wagnerpartial documentation
Ford engineer who spotted the car through the company's internal resale system and purchased it, but was subsequently told to sell it after a prior commitment by William Clay Ford came to light.
Competition
- 1956-10-01Texas State Fair automobile debut
The Derham-bodied prototype made its public debut at this event shortly after completion, then went on to additional show appearances across the US.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1957Modification
Car brought up to 1957 mechanical specification ahead of Martha Firestone Ford's ownership: replacement 300 hp 368 cu in V-8 (dynamically and statically balanced), new transmission, and a new limited-slip rear differential installed.
Carried out prior to the change of ownership from the Ford Motor Company to Martha Firestone Ford.
- 1957Bodywork
Exterior refinished in sky-blue; interior retrimmed in white and blue Bridge of Weir leather; new black convertible top and black Mouton carpets fitted; commemorative plaque added to the transmission tunnel.
Completed in conjunction with the mechanical upgrade before the car was delivered to Martha Firestone Ford.
- 2011BodyworkAnderson Restoration
Full exterior repaint in sky-blue carried out to a high standard.
Workshop located in Kanawha, Iowa; work done during the Goeppinger family's long-term ownership.
- —Bodywork
Exterior repainted in a dark metallic blue-green at the direction of Martha Firestone Ford; the 1957 interior was left unchanged.
Carried out during Martha Firestone Ford's period of ownership; exact date not recorded.
- —Bodywork
Exterior returned to sky-blue following Walter Goeppinger's acquisition of the car.
Timing of this repaint relative to the 1962 purchase is not specified.
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