Convertible Conversions-Collins Brothers

[TulsaMarkII]

Yet another: Convertible Mark II for sale on ebay. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lincoln-Continental-LINCOLN-CONTINENTAL-MARK-II-CONVERTIBLE_W0QQitemZ170421168589QQcmdZViewItemQQp tZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item27ade4a9cd)

Jason
http://atlasfolding.com/wp-content/gallery/mark-ii/mark-ii-conv.jpg

[Barry Wolk]

That looks like it might be Dr. George's car, maybe.

[Shelly Harris]

Yes it is Dr. George who is the ebay seller. Looks like a gorgious car. I bought my car from him and he's a first class honorable man. I wouldn't hesitate buying a car from him. All the work done on my car was top notch and no short cuts were taken. Based on the quality work he did on my car, I'm sure this convertible received the same treatment. I have no doubt that he has at least $50K in that car. I never saw that convertible, but he described it to me back last Feb. At that time, in addition to the one I bought, I saw a '57 silver MK II. He was also doing a frame off restore on a black '59 Lincoln and he had a couple of beautifull RRs.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Beautiful car! I don't especially like the color combinaison; perhaps in natural it's better looking.
The new owner will have to search winshield wipers...

[Nick DeSpirito]

Beautiful car! This must be the silver one he has for sale also.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lincoln-Continental-MARK-II-LINCOLN-MARK-II-CONTINENTAL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27ad70daefQ QitemZ170413578991QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

[SLK]

It is indeed Dr. George. I asked him for the VIN number and this was his response.

C56B2031. We didn't do the conversion. We renewed the top and its hydraulic mechanism. Originally the car was owned by a family in Conn.
The data I have:
Designed by Charley Phaneuf in 1953 (the convertible). None were factory made.
First prototype was a joint venture between Ford and Derham Custom Body Works.
Second, built by Hess & Eisenhart
2 were built by Alan Taylor in Escondido , California.
The others, including mine, was converted by Collins in Indiana, long ago.
The car was in Va since 1992 and had already been converted.
An owner of one of these in Ga fitted an original H&E top and made a sleeker design to the fabric boot of fiberglass.
If you have more information. I appreciate it.
Dr George goico0307@yahoo.com 1 786 447 7721

[Barry Wolk]

Caddy for sale, but check out the Mark II convertible. Sent an e-mail for the serial number, but got no response.

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/cadillac/eldorado_biarritz/1129277.html

[crystal59]

Nice Cadillac but nicer Mark II. Gary

[linc64]

It appears that the car belongs to Lester George, president of George Golf Design.
I found some info about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_George
Also, his web site lists the company's phone number, 804-272-4700.
Maybe you could call and pretend that you want him to design a golf course for you, then slip in your questions about the Mark II. :D

[Barry Wolk]

I've never golfed. Thought it looked like a pretty silly game. Couldn't get past the plaid Sanabelts.

[Barry Wolk]

Got a response. I have asked him to join us.

Barry,

Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. I have been in Florida for
the past two weeks and out of communication. You probably don't remember
talking to me about 5 years ago about your Continental but you were very
giving of your time and very helpful.

The Mark II you see in the background of the Caddy picture was one of the 7
or so done by Collins Coachworks in Indiana. I finally tracked down one of
the Collins' sons who remembers working on the car in the 80's. I acquired
it and the Cadillac (which is even rarer) from a friend who attended a
bankruptcy auction at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk Virginia in 1992.

I placed the Mark II in Hemmings Online last year for sale and it sold in
about two days. I got what I was asking and it was sold to a doctor
in Florida. He has since completed a very nice restoration and he is very
pleased with his Mark II. I am having a hard time finding the pictures he
sent me but I am including some before pictures for you.

Please feel free to call me with any questions you have. 804-xxx-xxxx.

Regards,

Lester George

[Shelly Harris]

I placed the Mark II in Hemmings Online last year for sale and it sold in
about two days. I got what I was asking and it was sold to a doctor
in Florida. He has since completed a very nice restoration and he is very
pleased with his Mark II.

Sounds like it went to Dr. George in Fla.

[parat11]

Hello,
i got MK 2 convertible, bought a year ago in CA from the old expensive collection of the fine cars. The car is burugundy red with burugundy cloth top and black and white interior. Does anybody knows anything about this car?

The VIN reads C5613288. I am trying to find out who did it, when and anything behind this car.

i would appreciate for any help and info. Maxim

[Don Keller]

Hello Maxim,

Absolutely beautiful car. I looked up the VIN on our Mark II register. I didn't find anything for C5613288, but there is for C56I3288. Are you sure that it isn't an "I" rather than a "1"? In either case, I'll bet that Barry can tell you about the car. As you may know he is an expert in that area for sure.

Regards.

Don Keller
C56R3838
Jackson, TN 3838

[Barry Wolk]

I spoke to the seller before you bought it. He was clearly misrepresenting the car as one of the 9 originals, but there were only three.

There were 9 of them made in the '80s from used cars by a guy named Collins, I think. There were two more made from Derham blueprints in the mid '90's, a black and a green one. Those are very nice cars as Alan Taylor does very nice work.

There are several aftermarket conversions in the works right now. Vanec is nearing completion on his money pit.

This is what the underside of the missing Hess & Eisenhardt Mark II convertible looks like, as the two they made were constructed side-by-side in late 1955. Note the 3/16" plate along the length of the frame rails, extra plating on the cross braces and "X" bracing installed just beneath the floor.

Your car is beautiful.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1%20Mark%20II%20docs/IMG_0773.jpg

[Barry Wolk]

Does your car have quarter windows?

[Don Keller]

Barry,

I can see by enlarging his picture that his car has quarter windows. If it's the same car as the missing convertible, it has different tires. Not that that means much. Also, if it's C56I3288, it apparently had blue and white interior originally.

Don Keller
C56R3838
Jackson, TN

[parat11]

Gentelmen ,
thank you on you input a lot.

Don,

what do you mean by saying that it has on different tires? how do you know about color?

Thanks
Max

[Barry Wolk]

Your car is in the database that shows what equipment it came with, type of materials used and color of everything.

Look in the Documents section.

[parat11]

Barry

is anything else specific I should loot at the car that could help determine its origin?

I sent request to Collins to confirm if it was their job. Awaiting reply.

[parat11]

Barry, what else should i look at in order to get any ideas who might made this conversion? all parties done it before did they have any differencies which could name the "author"?

sent request to Collins to confirm if it was their job or not. Awaiting reply.

[Barry Wolk]

I didn't know Collins was still in business.

[Pat Marshall]

I believe that it was Collins Trim and Auto of Marion Indiana who made Mark II convertible conversions and that #3288 was converted by them and sold to a man from Ohio named Johnson.

[Don Keller]

Hi Max,

I believe that Barry addressed the color question. It's located in the DSO part of the Mark II registrations in the documents section. I could tell that the tires are different by the tread in the two pictures. One picture has five rows of tread, the other has six. But it certainly wouldn't be unusual for the tires to have been changed. If yours was done a long time ago, it appears to have been kept off the streets from what I can see. If it was done more recently, good for it and for you (IMO). The restoration is newer; the parts are newer; and whoever did it appears to have done a good job. Is the VIN with a "1" or an "I"? If you'll verify that and let me know, I can look it up in several old Lincoln Continental Owner's Club Registers and see if I can find anything about who previously owned it...if they were club members.

Thanks.
Don Keller
C56R3838
Jackson, TN

[Pat Marshall]

3288 can only be "I". Also, check the 1996 LCOC Directory.

[Barry Wolk]

What years were the convertibles made by Collins?

[Pat Marshall]

To the best of my knowledge, early to mid 90's.

[norseman]

You guys have probably read this before, but some might not have. It is not that accurate as far as their facts and figures are concerned, which I'm sure a couple of you might agree with, but for what it's worth, here's the link -

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:VU532hK9d6oJ:auto.howstuffworks.com/1956-continental-mark-ii-convertible.htm+collins+mark+ii+convertible&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca

I'm not sure why the Derham car was considered "factory" any more than the H & E convertibles (by this writer for hsw), as all 3 were apparently commissioned by Ford, but not modified by Ford. I guess this 'howstuffworks' site is kind of Mickey Mouse anyways, as they feature a trunk shot with a totally incorrect restoration.

[crystal59]

Welcome aboard. These guys are good and if anyone is able to help you with information, technical help or other assistance about a Mark II, you have come to the right place. Gary

[Pat Marshall]

I checked out the link that Curtis provided. The HOWSTUFFWORKS article featured a convertible that Collins made for Eldon Anson. After a little digging I learned that Anson was owner of Anson's Classics Car Sales of Huntington Indiana and that ..."After Anson sold the car, it was offered at a Kruse Auction in Auburn, Indiana, where it quickly found a new owner." Eldon Anson died in February 1989.

HOWSTUFFWORKS said that "Collins Trim and Auto completed six Mark II ragtop conversions in the 1990s." But since Anson died in 1989, his car had to have been made before then. Being a recovering accountant I noted the copywrite on this article was 2007 and that the article said "The Mark II soft top seen here was created about 22 years ago." Viola, 2007-22 = 1985.

So apparantly Collins Trim and Auto was making conversions as early as the mid 80's.

I would really like to get the ViN's of the other 5 (?) convertible conversions made by CT&A for our Registry.

[parat11]

Collins they are still in business. Father who did conversions has already retired but two brothers make now another car. the price will be over 100k they said. the promised to check if they did mine but only his father knows exactly. i will check underneath on Monday in order to get any ideas as well as photos on it.

[Don Keller]

There was nothing on either C5613288 or C56I3288 in the '82, '87 or 2004 Registers. It was interesting, however, that I found the following listing in the 2004 register:

MKII (101L6H) C5613267 Richard and Loretta Attwood

Yes, that is the numeral one. I don't know what 101L6H means. This was in the category with the convertibles. Anyway, I'm through playing detective. Pretty soon, there are going to be more convertible Mark IIs than hardtops. They are very nice, but in my opinion they are customs. No negative conotation intended.

Don Keller
C56R3838
Jackson, TN

[Pat Marshall]

According to Gene at My Classics and Hot Rods - 416 Broad Street , Paulsboro New Jersey 08061. he has this Mark II Collins convertible conversion for sale.

[parat11]

Hi Pat, it is my car. That is correct.

[Collinsbrothers]

I have personally done 6 Convertible conversions in the past 25yrs 2 white cars 1 maroon car 1 blue car and the tan car that has been in numerous magazines and books,and a silver car that I am finishing up at the present that will be by far the nicest of the 6 as we started out with a nice rust free Texas car and put alot of thought into the frame work for the top.this car has a stainless steel header panel on the windshield frame that took 2 weeks to make by hammering out flat metal by hand to make it the frame works great and also has a broadcloth headliner much like a Rolls Royce convertible.We were building this car for our 75 yr old father for a retirement present as he was the inspiration for building the first ones,but as age does to all of us his health isnt good and he doesnt think he would be able to enjoy the car,so the car will probably be for sale when completed next month.I wish I still had the serial #'s of the cars we did but somehow in a move we made to another building the records came up missing.I will post some pics of the silver car and I think you will agree silver and blue make a beautiful MKll Convertible.

[Collinsbrothers]

Hi,we are 2 brothers from Marion IN we own Collins Brothers automotive in Marion about 60 miles North of Indianapolis IN.We have played with MKll's for the last 30 yrs or so.We have done 6 convertible conversions over the past 25yrs.Our whole lives have been spent in the classic car business in one way or another we have done hundreds of cars thru the years ranging from classics to hot rods custom cars,muscle cars.Just thought I would introduce ourselves when I came across this website and share some pics of our MKll on the convertible forum will post more when the car is completed in a couple of weeks. Thanks

[Don Keller]

Hi Brothers,

Let me be the first to welcome you to the Mark II forum. I think you both will find it a lot of fun and informative. Prepare yourselves for questions about the Mark II convertibles that you've completed. We have an ongoing project to identify them all, and of course the hardtop Mark IIs that have the rest of us held hostage. We'll look forward to the pics and once again, welcome and I hope you'll be regular contributors.

Don Keller
C56R3838
Jackson, TN

[Nick DeSpirito]

Welcome to the Mark II Forum. That's one sweet Mark II convertible! Any pictures of the interior?

[linmk2]

Welcome guys to the forum. I will be looking forward to all the pictures of your projects.

[Barry Wolk]

While I normally think that the Mark II is best presented as a dark car, it's pretty sensational in silver.

Welcome to the site.

[crystal59]

I love that car. Maybe next year. Does this forum do rehab? Gary

[Pat Marshall]

Welcome, it's great news that you've joined the Forum. Many of us are interested in your work. We eagerly await your posts and pictures.

Would you mind telling us the VIN of your silver car?

[Sean Rollins]

I don't think you can get re-hab here, but for all of us devotees it's kind of a support group!;)

[Don Keller]

Barry,

If I recall correctly, your Mark II convertible has the the rear quarter windows showing glass rather than the convertible top. I was just wondering which you prefer?

Gary...you don't need to be rehab'd from something with no down side. Granted that we won't be able to take things with us, but we'll be able to enjoy them while we're here. Can't ask for more than that.

Collins Bros...I had a '56 Chevy exactly like the one next to your Mark II when I was a teenager in Kansas. I had it painted a Cadillac red. It was originally turquoise and white. Is this one an automatic also? Stranger things have happened. It was a great car, I had it overhauled and fenders around the headlights and quarters re-done from rust with new metal.

Don Keller
C56R3838
Jackson, TN

[Barry Wolk]

My car has no quarter windows. It has the cut-back glass to emulate the '40s Continentals.

[Barry Wolk]

The convertible you're making is strikingly similar to this picture of the Derham-made Mark II convertible once owned by Paul Wagner. He gave me this picture.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1%20Mark%20II%20docs/3400960135_large.jpg

[Collinsbrothers]

Barry,
Thanks for the picture I have never seen that Pic. The car that we tried to copy years ago was the one in a hard copy book which I think was called Collectible Quarterly. We had a customer at that time that brought a car and the picture and asked if we thought we could do it,not knowing any better we dove right in. The reason that we chose silver and blue for the car that we are doing now was we have a customer that has a 32 3 window that we done in the same colors and we thought it would look good. There is a lot of controversy over these cars and I hope that maybe we can help clear some of it up. Jeff

[Barry Wolk]

The top on my car is medium blue Mercedes cloth with light gray trim. The previous owner put Mark II emblems on the top. After he discovered that mice had turned the folded top into a mouse condo I had them left off the new top. I also remove the welting installed between the bumpers and body.:confused:

I have Alan Taylor's card around somewhere. Maybe I'll ask him the serial numbers and the whereabouts of the black one and the green one he did in '94, I believe.

[Don Keller]

Jeff,

Have you seen the original blue prints of the Mark II convertible in the documents section of this forum? It may be after the fact for you, but it would seem to be a treasure for convertible makers.

Don Keller
C56R3838
Jackson, TN

[Collinsbrothers]

No I havent Don would be a great help im sure going to look right now.Thanks

[Sean Rollins]

I was just looking at your completed car on e-bay. That is a beautiful job, you have done yourselves proud.

[Collinsbrothers]

Thanks Sean

[Clean Cut Creations]

Incredible work on the newest convertible! Do you have any build pics that you would want to post? I would be interested in the top design and mods to the boot area. Very nice!

[SLK]

Here's the link to ebay with the listing for the convertible.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-Mark-II-Convertible-/220723799572?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item336429e614

[SLK]

Here is the link to the Mark II convertible that Collins Brothers recently completed and has on ebay for sale.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-Mark-II-Convertible-/220723799572?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item336429e614

I wonder if I could talk my wife into it.... :D

[Pat Marshall]

I'm sure you could talk her into it...for a ride around the block.

[SLK]

OK, it did not sell at $89,200 with the reserve not met.

It's too bad, I had my wife talked into letting me spend up to $10. :cool:

[Pat Marshall]

Jeff is this one of your cars?

C56B2174
04-1B6B-552
1956-68 John V. Hummel TN
1978 Unknown Owner TN
1991 Phil Schaffer, Indianapolis, IN made into Convertible
1993-96 Jared Bruce, Oklahoma
1996-09 Ronald Stein,TX

Thanks,

[Shelly Harris]

Ok Collins Bros... what's the reserve price? That top has to be the nicest I've ever seen on a convertible Mark II.

[Collinsbrothers]

Pat,I sold that car to Phil Shafer along with a 41 continental cabriolet we didnt do the conversion on that car,the convertible frame was made of aluminum and wasnt a very nice conversion real home made looking not sure who did it we traded for the car.Our silver car didnt sell on ebay the reserve was $100,000 we are talking with a couple of people on the car and hope to get it sold soon but at present it is still for sale if anyone has any interest let me know.At present we are doing another MKII Convertible for one of the bidders on our car we have the roof cut off and some of the metal work done I have been taking pictures as we go and will share them with you all when we get a little further along.We are also talking with another customer about building a MKII Convertible hot rod 2 seater along the lines of a Thunderbird sports roadster from the early 60's with a modern running gear,bucket seats,console,disc brakes and change the angle of the windshield to be more swept back,that is a project my brother and I have always wanted to do for ourself but have never had the time or money to do it at the same time.And Pat as soon as I can get some time to go thru some old files I will try to find the VIN #'s of the cars we did I know the Maroon car that is in Austria now is one of them it belongs to a member of this forum I think he goes by Parat1 on here his name is Maxim Sokolov.

[Clean Cut Creations]

It looks like C5613288 is up for sale again. This time at Daniel Schmitt & Co. in St Louis MO. Here is the link to current pics: http://www.schmitt.com/viewimage.asp?ID=4785

[JCB]

There is a string on this already. Do you know what they were asking before?

[RODPARTS]

[At present we are doing another MKII Convertible for one of the bidders on our car we have the roof cut off and some of the metal work done I have been taking pictures as we go and will share them with you all when we get a little further along.We are also talking with another customer about building a MKII Convertible hot rod 2 seater along the lines of a Thunderbird sports roadster from the early 60's with a modern running gear,bucket seats,console,disc brakes and change the angle of the windshield to be more swept back,that is a project my brother and I have always wanted to do for ourself but have never had the time or money to do it at the same time.[/QUOTE]

Do you have any updates or pictures of either of these two projects? I sure would like to see them!

[RODPARTS]

The above quote is from the Collins brothers post on 2-22-2011