1254 - Grandpa gets a "New" Mark II

[RL Chilton]

This is great! I didn't check yet to see if the serial number is in the database, but they list it within the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tu9cRNJ3k

[baron]

Priceless!

[RL Chilton]

Serial # 2154. Here is what we have in the Registry:

Default 2154-No Ownership Record Found After Original FOMOCO Information
VIN: C56B2154
SPEC: 14-56C-81-1222-14
PROD ORDER NO: 1158
ENG#: ???? BODY TAG NO: ????
DSO NO: 81
DSO DETAILS: NONE
NAMEPLATE: ????
*
OWNERSHIP HISTORY:
1956-E. S. MacPherson, FOMOCO
1978-84 Unknown FL (L)

**
HISTORICAL INFORMATION:
None Reported
*
OTHER INFORMATION:
None Reported

SOURCE CODE INDEX:
(C) Continental Mark II Association
(D) Lowell Domholdt
(F) FoMoCo Records
(I) Internet Search
(L) LCOC Records
(H) Buddy Holiday
(M) Mark II Forum
(O) Owner Supplied Information
(R) Automobile Registration Records

I'm sure someone could contact these folks via their YouTube presence? Maybe they could update the info they have for us.

[jdsnoddy]

Russell:
Where did the VIN 2154 come from?
That car looks nothing like the original 2154.
As Ronnie Reagan once said "trust but verify."
I'm just trying to verify as the car pictured does not resemble 2154 at all. Please help me out here.
Thanks so much,
John

[RL Chilton]

John-

Yes, it could be totally wrong. In the video, at 7:27, they put it on the screen when "Grandpa" verifies it and says it, but you can't really hear him very well. They have it listed as a weird number, 561-22154 is how they listed it on the screen. Close, and I assumed the 2154 was the last four, so the serial #. Like I said, someone needs to contact the younger couple and see if they would care to verify and share more info about the car. Pretty weak on my part, I know.

[RL Chilton]

I wrote them and reached out. We'll see if they get back in touch with me.

[jdsnoddy]

Russell:
Thanks so much for the clarification. My best guess is C5691254 or 1254; recently sold to a guy in Utah. Beautiful car, thanks for sharing.
Best regards,
John

[jdsnoddy]

I can't help but wonder how a young guy earns enough money to give a $75,000 car to his grandpa. That's a fairly extravagant gift.

[Barry Wolk]

Can't tell a book by its cover. I had a very successful company at that age.

[RL Chilton]

John and Barry, great comments and so true, both of you.

Dallin reached out to me after I reached out to him. This was my comment to him:

Bella & Dallin-

I’m writing you for two reasons. Through my algorithm, your video of giving your Grandpa the Mark II came up in my YouTube suggested videos. Firstly, I want to say thank you for sharing. That’s probably the most heartfelt video I’ve seen in a very long time. Being a car guy certainly had something to do with it, as well. Being a Mark II fan is another, which brings me to the other reason for reaching out.

I am a member of the Mark II forum, which is really the only Mark II forum out there. On the forum, we keep a database, a registry of known Mark II’s. The registry is used by car owners for many reasons, like finding out the history of your car, original configuration information, etc. As a group, we also collect info about known cars to know how many are left, how many were in Sapphire Blue, or how many had particular options. The forum itself is used mostly to help fellow Mark II owners in solving various mechanical issues and keeping then on the road. In your video, at 7:27 you put a Serial # up on the screen, but there are discrepancies within what was posted. I probably inadvertently took the last 4 digits, which was 2154 as the Serial # to see if it was a known Mark II (there are many that have never been re-discovered). 2154 it turns out, does not match what we have on record for what your Mark II looks like.

So, I was wondering if you or your Grandpa would be interested in checking out the Registry on the forum and possibly updating the records for your Grandfather’s Mark II?

The Forum can be located here:

https://markiiforum.com/

I posted a thread there with your video on it. It can be found here:

https://www.markiiforum.com/showthread.php?10353-Grandpa-gets-a-quot-New-quot-Mark-II

On the main page, you can scroll down to where the Mark II History-Registry-Database is, or if you sign up (which is minimal), one of the Administrators, like Pat Marshall will direct you to info that is already known about the car, if you are interested. I promise you this is not click-bait, nor am I trying to sell anything. I have been an avid car guy, Mark II fan for over 50 years and been a member of that particular forum since 2013. Great group of people, Mark II owners



This was Dallin's response:

Hey Russell,
Thanks so much for reaching out and I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It's for sure one of my favorite videos i have ever made as It was an incredible moment.
Thats awesome about the Forum.. we have been trying to find out as much as possible about the car. Would love to know more about the original owner and where the car came out of. The serial number is: C5691254. Body Specif: 07-1 M6E-919-6 Style: II-60A
Can you tell me everything you can find about the car?
I will send my grandpa over the forum and have him register as I'm sure he will be highly interested.
Excited to hear back from you and again, thanks for reaching out.
Dallin Lambert

I don't have the time this morning, but I'll look up the history and get back to him. His Grandpa will most likely check out the forum and hopefully sign up.

[jdsnoddy]

Russell:
Great work. Hopefully we'll get at least one more member.
Also, thanks for the confirmation on the VIN.
Very best regards,
John

[Xon]

That?s was my Mark II . #1254 recently sold out of Detroit. Barry and I did a modest amount of work too it . (A small job snowballed into a lot of work)It was very well loved and took us to a lot of great events and we received a lot of awards made a lot friends especially Barry Wolk!!! I purchased it on the west coast Portland Ore. It?s kinda bittersweet to see the video but the joy on Grandpas face made it ok.. we really loved that car!!

[Barry Wolk]

That?s was my Mark II . #1254 recently sold out of Detroit. Barry and I did a modest amount of work too it . (A small job snowballed into a lot of work)It was very well loved and took us to a lot of great events and we received a lot of awards made a lot friends especially Barry Wolk!!! I purchased it on the west coast Portland Ore. It?s kinda bittersweet to see the video but the joy on Grandpas face made it ok.. we really loved that car!!

I really enjoyed working with you. Being that we are both electricians with mechanical know-how, few words were spoken. At least you never called it a Lincoln. His Grandfather called it by the correct name. Made me smile.

[baron]

I can't help but wonder how a young guy earns enough money to give a $75,000 car to his grandpa. That's a fairly extravagant gift.

Its possible he gave the car to his grandfather for his remaining lifetime, and after that, ownership would revert to the grandson.

[Barry Wolk]

Maybe he had the means and was just doing something nice for his grandfather. They seemed close. I certainly couldn't gather that he had and secondary plans from the video. I don't think we should be second-guessing his motives.

I would have done that for my Grandpa Joe.

[T Lambert]

I am the recipient of the 1956 Continental Mark II that is shown in the video. Apparently my ?off the cuff? reference in the video about the serial number was taken too seriously!

The actual VIN No. is C5691254!, The serial No. is 07-1 M6E-919-6

I am looking for any information regarding this remarkable vehicle and how to best maintain it.

Specifically, I would like to know if anyone has any information about how to get another set of keys made?

Also, the best polish to use for both the body and the chrome to keep it looking as nice as it does?

I am admittedly a novice at this but love this car and want to keep it in the best condition possible.
Tom Lambert
435-669-1781
Layton UT 84040

[Barry Wolk]

The key are standard '50s Ford issue. Most key shops have the blanks. As far as new Continental keys, forgetaboutit.

Any modern spray detailer will work great with that car. Although it's probably still covered in my fingerprints inside and under the hood, so don't hurt anybody with that thing as my DNA is all over it.

Your car is a terrific survivor, one of the best I've worked on. The former owner's drive was to make everything work and fit right. All 3 window motors on the left side are new, as is the glass in the front window. I put new butt slings in the front seats and installed rebuilt hood hinges. Keep them lubricated. I got the heater box cables to work, which made the defrosters work. I think I installed a clock motor switch under the dash to keep the battery from draining. If you drive it frequently enough that shouldn't be a problem.

Each time you let go of the door and it clicks shut like a bank vault door, think of me. It's a delicious sound. I couldn't stop testing it.

It's a great car. Your grandson chose well. I hope you enjoy owning it as much as I did working on it.

[jdsnoddy]

Tom:
Welcome.
Hearty congratulations on your car. Your grandson is one in a million; we all know the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.
I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice on the polish. Some have used Meguiar's Color Back with some success. First let me say your acrylic lacquer paint is 65 years old so be very gentle with it. Also, the chrome is flashed onto stainless steel: DO NOT USE steel wool
Having said all that I have included an article from Meguiar's which walks you through the process. Meguire's will work, Mother's will work. Barry, and maybe others, has (have) shown his (their) car(s) at Pebble Beach. They are really the experts.
This article will get you started.
https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sh...-Lacquer-Paint


YouTube Video:
Click here to view on youtube

https://youtu.be/_1VKs5zgYOs
Here's also some info by Rick Payton on detailing the wheel covers.

https://www.markiiforum.com/showthre...highlight=caps
Others have run their hubcaps through the dishwasher with great results; naturally not every spouse would allow this--it may not be a viable option for all.

I used saddle soap to clean my leather.

When you change your oil, use a high zinc content oil to prevent excessive cam shaft wear.
I recommend using the highest octane gas you can find (hopefully without ethanol) and use a lead additive as additional insurance not to burn up your valves. This also reduces dieseling.

Here are the forum threads on 1254:
https://www.markiiforum.com/search.php?searchid=2198
You must be a sponsoring member to view this info.
(You can sponsor for a dollar a month.)

Best regards,
John

[Roger Zimmermann]

Your car is a terrific survivor, one of the best I've worked on. The former owner's drive was to make everything work and fit right.

It that the car you reported in the VW forum?

[Barry Wolk]

Correct, Roger.

[RL Chilton]

Tom-

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure you will find this is the best 'Go-To' place to gather the answers to all of your questions regarding your specific history, or technical aspects of your MII in general.

[Guy Hill]

This car could have a significant provenance of recognition and appreciation to anyone familiar with the Ford engineering executive staff in 1956. If the partial research details above are correct and confirmed with respect to ownership, this vehicle when new was likely in the hands of one Earl S.MacPherson, Chief Engineer of the Ford Motor Co., 1952-1958. Mr. MacPherson is credited with the innovative automotive suspension design bearing his name that has endured to the present and is commonly known today as "MacPherson strut suspension." It is the most common basic suspension design employed today as it is very compact, lightweight and efficient compared to earlier suspension configurations. The modern era of front wheel drive and smaller proportioned vehicles with innovative body types and shapes ( minivans and CUVs) would not be possible without his ground breaking engineering contributions to the integration of body, suspension and chassis.

[Guy Hill]

This car could have a significant provenance of recognition and appreciation to anyone familiar with the Ford engineering executive staff in 1956. If the partial research details above are correct and confirmed with respect to ownership, this vehicle when new was likely in the hands of one Earl S.MacPherson, Chief Engineer of the Ford Motor Co., 1952-1958. Mr. MacPherson is credited with the innovative automotive suspension design bearing his name that has endured to the present and is commonly known today as "MacPherson strut suspension." It is the most common basic suspension design employed today as it is very compact, lightweight and efficient compared to earlier suspension configurations. The modern era of front wheel drive and smaller proportioned vehicles with innovative body types and shapes ( minivans and CUVs) would not be possible without his ground breaking engineering contributions to the integration of body, suspension and chassis.

In many ways, Mac Pherson was the Charles Kettering of modern suspension innovation and design. An early US example of his engineering influence in mass market applications debuted in the 1960 Ford Falcon, and was incorporated in it's later derivatives comprising all of Ford's compact and intermediate products including the Mustang. The key novel feature was active coil spring loading of the upper front control arm that located the upper spring pocket in an extension of the combined inner fender/ forward unit body structure. The lower control arm was unsprung and served only a steering, shock absorbing and horizontal stabilizing function. This configuration provided tremendous weight, material and space savings together with significantly lowered cost of manufacture. It also allowed for the newer enhanced stylistic expressions of the late 60s and 70s featuring lower hood and front fender lines intended to make smaller and more compact vehicles attractive to the mass market. Ultra high performance racing vehicles also incorporate MacPherson's engineering and design philosophy combing coil spring and shock absorber functions with control arms of ultra lightweight alloys in fully independent suspension configurations.

[linmk2]

Mr Lambert, I just watched the video, so happy your grandson made your dream car a reality. I have to quote the poet Keats, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever, it will never pass into nothingness".