Custom 1956 Lincoln Continental With Over 850 HP Is One Classy Act

Early next year, this stunning 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II is going up for auction at Barrett Jackson’s Scottsdale event. Every aspect of the build is over the top and includes completely custom bodywork, a clean-sheet interior, and a very unique powerplant with over 850 hp (633 kW). It even has a mysterious celebrity autograph hidden under its trunk lid.

Built by Arizona-based shop SIC Chops, this Continental could sit alongside the word “custom” in the dictionary. The body, finished in Dupont Toner Black with ChromaClear, has multiple nips and tucks from one end to the other. Literally, both bumpers are custom as is the roof which is 2.75-inches (69.85 mm) lower than it was originally. The door handles and rain gutters are gone as well.

Underneath the skin, the car has a custom firewall, new floor pans, new rockers, and a flush-mounted exhaust that terminates inside of the rear bumper. The engine lurking under the hood is a Jon Kaase 520 ci Ford V8 with Kaase Boss semi-hemispherical heads that produces over 850 hp. It feeds power to the rear wheels only via a Chevrolet automatic transmission. Inside of the cabin, this car is just as special and bespoke.

Read: Unrestored, Undamaged 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Has Clearly Lived A Full Life

Eight-way power-adjustable Black Onyx leather seats from a Lexus provide support and comfort while unique Dakota Digital gauges feed important data to the driver. Audio is handled via a Kicker Q-Class sound system and many components take up space in the rear seat/cargo area. Colorado Custom provided both the wheels and the steering wheel itself. The spare wheel and tire still reside under the rear decklid too.

First featured at SEMA 2015, this Lincoln carries with it the unverified signature of Mae West, a famous screenwriter, actress, playwright, and singer. It’s been preserved where it was found during the restoration process, under the trunk decklid. Why it’s there nobody knows.

The car goes up for sale at Barrett Jackson’s 2023 Scottsdale Auction taking place from January 21st through the 29th at WestWorld of Scottsdale.