Kris Trexler's 1959 Continental Mark IV coupe

Click on the first photo to see an enlarged version and start the slide show.

59continental-390-re.psd 59continental-398-re.psd 59continental-334-re.psd 59continental-336-re.psd
I named my car "Penny" for obvious reasons. This car has the original "Copper Metallic" finish. For 1959, Continental stylists attempted to tone down the flamboyant front end styling of the '58 models. "Copper Metallic" was exclusively available on the Continental series as an extra cost option in 1959.
59continental-393-re-full.psd 59continental-408.JPG 59continental-412-re.psd 59continental-424-re.psd
The '59 front fenders don't have the severe concave effect of the '58 models, the headlamps are integrated into the front grille unlike the '58 headlight pods, and the parking lamps are relocated in the bumper ends for '59. Luckily, the original license frame is in excellent condition. The Continental star conveys the prestige of the marque in a simple yet elegant design. 1959 Continentals are 19 feet long!
59continental-435.psd 59continental-429-re.psd 59continental-433-re.psd 59continental-434.JPG
1959 Continental rear end styling is a big improvement over the '58 models in my opinion. I especially appreciate the large hooded tail lamps on the '59 Continental which are more distinguished than the small round lamps of the '58 models. The Continental star is emblazoned in gold on the gas filler door. A spring-loaded door neatly conceals the gas filler in typical 50's fashion.
59continental-437-re.psd 59continental-441-re.psd 59continental-338-re.psd 59continental-341-re.psd
The gold Continental star contrasts beautifully with the rear roof chrome trim. All Continentals including convertibles featured the electric rear "Breezeway" window. It's quite functional, offering refreshing ventilation. My Continental still sports its original fiberglass hood insulation. The engine was authentically detailed. Unlike the quirky high peformance Holley carburetor used on 1958 Continentals, the '59 models used a simpler and very reliable Carter AFB carburetor.
59continental_205-re.psd 59continental_206-re.psd 59continental-353-re.psd 59continental-352-re.psd
Factory air conditioned Continentals had evaporators in both front fenders which helped produce large volumes of cold air. This photo shows the quick disconnect hoses on the driver's side of the inner fender. As part of the minor freshening of the car, the a/c system was refurbished including new "O" rings at the quick disconnect fittings. The trunk is massive, befitting such a large car. The spare tire cover is affectionately known as the "hat box" by Lincoln/Continental enthusiasts. The original trunk lining is in mint condition, showing almost no wear. It appears that the bumper jack has never been used. A good thing, since the bumpers were nearly always damaged when these jacks were used. The bumpers on this car are undamaged.
59cont-14Ford-443-re.psd 59continental-465-re.psd 59continental-454-re.psd 59continental-453-re.psd
A pristine 1914 Ford happened by while I was photographing my Continental. Most '59 Continentals were 4 door models. But the coupe's WIDE doors allow relatively easy entry. Continental interiors were lush and inviting. The interior in this car is original, with soft and supple "Bridge of Weir" leather from Scotland. The wide seats accommodate 4 passengers per seat, allowing an astonishing 8 medium size passengers to ride in luxury with plenty of legroom.
59continental-445-re.psd 59continental-446-re.psd 59continental-451-re.psd 59continental-484.JPG
The 1959 Continental door panels are more ornate than those on the '58 models. The brushed aluminum applique with gold Continental star added a luxurious touch, as did the polished stainless steel trim at the bottom of the door panel. Refrigerated or heated air was routed to the rear seat passengers via ducts in the arm rests of the door panels. The chrome louvers allow adjustment of air flow. Power window switches and an ash tray are on the forward portion of the arm rest. The outside mirror can be adjusted with the handle above the switches. Note the paint runs above the door hinge. They have been there since "day one." The 1959 Continental was built by the M-E-L (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) Division of Ford Motor Company in Wixom, Michigan. Ford should have made a special data plate for the more expensive Continentals, but obviously they didn't bother.
59continental-463-re.psd 59continental-461-re.psd 59continental-356-re.psd 59continental-360-re.psd
Starting with the 1958 models, Continentals and Lincolns no longer used a frame. The Uni-Frame body provided "comfort, security, and durability." By 1959, many of the problems inherent to unibody contruction on such a large car were solved. Six-way power seat controls are located on the decorative aluminum panel on the seat bottom. The steering wheel on the 1959 Continental is huge. It's a joy to look at and provides comfortable hand grips. The instrument panel appears to float in front of the recessed dashboard. The odometer shows the true mileage on this car - 41,269 miles. In 1959, the gold finish on the instruments replaced the silver-gray appearance of the '58 models.
59continental-365-re.psd 59continental-489-re.psd 59continental-507-re.psd 59continental-467-re.psd
The famous Continental star looms large at the center of the two-toned steering wheel. A single knob controls air conditioning,heating, defrosting, ventilation, and fan speed. 1959 fans provided a larger volume of air than the '58 models. The "Town and Country" signal seeking radio is a tube-transistor hybrid which still required a warm-up period. Note the "idiot lights" which were becoming more popular in the late 1950's. Courtesy lamps are integrated into the ends of the dashboard "knee-knockers," so named because of the protruding end of the wraparound windshield frame.
59continental-458-re.psd 59continental-457-re.psd 59continental-470-re.psd 59continental-473-re.psd
The rear seat holds 4 medium size passengers in the lap of luxury with ample legroom. The massive armrest divided the rear seat into two separate zones. New for 1959 are reading lamps nestled into the roof pillars. 1958 models used a single overhead courtesy lamp. Front seat passengers enjoyed unprecedented legroom on the gargatuan 1958-60 Lincolns and Continentals
59continental-379-re.psd 59continental-487-re.psd 59continental-329-re.psd
The brake and accelerator pedals were color-keyed to match the interior of the cabin. Curiously, the emergency brake pedal was black in all cases. The small round pedals operate hi/low beam headlamps, and the signal-seeking radio tuner. New for 1959 was a toggle control for day/night operation of the inside mirror. The passenger sunvisor contained a vanity mirroir. I'm very lucky to be the new caretaker of this fine automobile!

King of the Road Home Page
The King of the Road Home Page features my classic cars and cool stuff about color TV in the 1950's-60's. See a video of the original NBC peacock.
comments? send me an email

 Thanks for visiting my 1959 Continental coupe website! You are visitor number: