Continental Mark II
The Edsel was not Ford’s only failed luxury attempt. In the mid-’50s, Ford established a separate brand called the Continental Division to produce luxury cars above the Lincoln brand. The success of the original Thunderbird showed them the way, so Ford decided they should build a more advanced, expensive, and prestigious luxury coupe. The first and only car was the famed Continental Mark II introduced in 1955 (via Motor Cities).
Ford’s idea was to present a superb luxury coupe with the finest technology and comfort and market it as a separate brand. The idea sounded good, but the market repose could have been better. The Continental Divison was shut down in five years following the disappointing sales of the Mark II coupe, despite it being the ultimate American personal luxury coupe.