Noob - First Post

[Doc Watson]

First things first: I'm just "a" Doc Watson, not "the" Doc Watson. :)

cliffs:

25 years ago a friend bought and began modding C56F3017

10 years later I helped another friend buy it from friend #1

Last night friend #2 called and said he tried to sell his Mark II, but there was no "data plate" inside the door frame (although he has a clear California title).

I'm working on getting another created.

Thanks to those here who have done the hard work of creating background data/info.

I'm reading and taking notes.

doc

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/doc540/Misc%20Autos/P0000403-1.jpg

[Pat Marshall]

I have posted what I have on 3007 in the Registery History section. It would be helpful if you could provide any additional information, especially engine number, body tag, Nameplate and prior ownership information.

[Barry Wolk]

What modifications did he make?

[Doc Watson]

Thank you

I understand the Forum values accuracy, so before I post anything about modifications, I'd need to talk to friend #1 again for a refresher.

And, Pat, you referenced "3007". I'm not clear how that relates to "3017" which I'm researching.
I think you meant to post "3017" which I just found in your addition to the registry.

I need to be directed to a primer on locating any other factory identifying marks, numbers, etc.

Or, if anyone is interested, the car is located in North San Diego County should someone want to actually view it.

doc

[Pat Marshall]

3007 = F.F.S. - Fat Finger Syndrome!

[Doc Watson]

This is becoming quite the adventure.

From the records here I've determined 3017 was originally sold in San Antonio, Texas and registered to Lucy Lapham, a family member (perhaps wife) of the famous oilman, rancher, and retired Army Air Corp Colonel "Jack Lapham".

They created the "Flying L Ranch" in Bandera, Texas which still operates today albeit under different ownership.

It seems as though Col. Lapham is a descendent of Lewis Lapham, one of the founders of The Texas Oil Company, later to be known as Texaco.

No wonder the Col. had $750,000 to invest in 1946 and could easily stroke a check for a Mark II in 1956!

Ironic that it's owned by another Texan some 55 years later.

It's not a stretch to believe the likes of John Wayne and numerous other stars rode in the Mark while visiting the Flying L dude ranch back in the day.

Someone, somewhere must have pictures of that gorgeous car basking in its element.

[Doc]

Doc - Welcome to the Forum from the other "Doc"...

If you're still looking for a new data plate, do a Forum search and you'll find a thread that provides a supplier for reproduction plates. The company is called "Backeast" (although it's only as far "back east" as Colorado, as I recall) and their website is datatags.com.

You going to buy the car or help your friend sell it?

[Ian Cowie]

I need to be directed to a primer on locating any other factory identifying marks, numbers, etc.

The Continental Mark II Restorer's Guide lists the following (I have not confirmed this on my vehicle but I'm sure others in this forum could confirm or deny these):

Other than the brass plate on the forward left hand hinge pillar, the serial number appears on three places on the frame:
1. Left hand side of the vehicle just under the the voltage regulator
2. On top of the frame forward of the left rear wheel
3. On the rear rail of the frame under the trunk floor

The other method of ascertaining the serial number is to locate the engine serial number and adding 982. The result "should" be the VIN. Not sure where the "magic # 982" came from but I'm sure one of these gents could supply that info.
This won't always work as engine might not be original ... and some engines were switched around a bit. However this works for many vehicles including mine 2280 and 2990 (closest I could find to 3017).

[Doc Watson]

Thanks for the info.

I had found the data plate supplier, called him and have things lined up to reproduce one. I have a scanned copy of the California title (I'm in Texas).

However, he asked about the equipment or options codes (I'm probably not using the correct terminology), and when I opened the pdf file in the records link here, the text on 3017 is a little too small for me to read. (Also I don't know how to read the information listed although I've printed the "LEGEND" pdf file and doing my homework.)

I was able to read the selling dealer (no longer in business in San Antonio) and the original buyer.

I would be indebted to anyone here who can pull up 3017's data and show me how or what to present to the Backeast people.

And, Ian, I appreciate that info in spite of the fact that the engine isn't original to the car and is a more modern powerplant. Don't know where the original engine went, but it was described as un-rebuildable.

As it stands now, the plan is for me to secure a repro data plate so my friend in SoCal can sell the car "as-is".

I'm not going to be involved in the sale or buy it myself.

(I must admit that just seeing the Mark II pictures is much like hearing the Sirens on the rocks....MY GOD, what a gorgeous automobile!)

Again, thanks for your help and all the effort put into the site making it a fantastic resource.

[Doc Watson]

Here's what I've gleaned from the registry pdf:

04 3H6W AC DG-DSO interior

exterior color: light blue

I don't understand how to read the interior/biscuit/bolster/welt

It appears to be deep blue biscuit, white bolster, white welt.

But it shows to be DSO and the only interior combo of its kind that year. (if I'm reading it right).

Front bumper license guard.

Am I reading it right?

I appreciate your help here.

[Shelly Harris]

when I opened the pdf file in the records link here, the text on 3017 is a little too small for me to read.

When viewing a pdf file with Adobe Reader there is a zoom in (+) link at the top of the page which will expand the view.

[Doc Watson]

When viewing a pdf file with Adobe Reader there is a zoom in (+) link at the top of the page which will expand the view.

My wife is a network engineer and says I'm afflicted with "DAO" problems: "DumbAzzOperator", so this just confirms it.

I have been able to zoom but don't know how to print page 32 in a larger format.

I'm sure she'll shake her head again and print it for me after work this evening.

:o

[Ian Cowie]

The VIN plate should read:

04-3H6W-43-6

04 - Light Blue Exterior

3 - Materials: Matelasse biscuits and leather bolsters
H - Biscuit Color: Deep Blue
6 - Bolster Color: White
W - Welt Color: White (W is not listed in Restorer's guide but I'm making an educated guess. All 6W listings are "DSO Interior" or Dealer Special Order - Interior.)

43-6 means it was built in the 4th month, 3rd day, #6 or the 6th car built on the 3rd of April.

[Doc Watson]

The VIN plate should read:

04-3H6W-43-6

04 - Light Blue Exterior

3 - Materials: Matelasse biscuits and leather bolsters
H - Biscuit Color: Deep Blue
6 - Bolster Color: White
W - Welt Color: White (W is not listed in Restorer's guide but I'm making an educated guess. All 6W listings are "DSO Interior" or Dealer Special Order - Interior.)

43-6 means it was built in the 4th month, 3rd day, #6 or the 6th car built on the 3rd of April.

That's what I need. Much appreciated.

[Doc Watson]

Thanks for your help, gentlemen.

Mailing the repro data tag to the owner tomorrow.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/doc540/Misc%20Autos/Continental%20MKII/DSCN0047-1.jpg

[Pat Marshall]

This is becoming quite the adventure.

From the records here I've determined 3017 was originally sold in San Antonio, Texas and registered to Lucy Lapham, a family member (perhaps wife) of the famous oilman, rancher, and retired Army Air Corp Colonel "Jack Lapham".

They created the "Flying L Ranch" in Bandera, Texas which still operates today albeit under different ownership.

It seems as though Col. Lapham is a descendent of Lewis Lapham, one of the founders of The Texas Oil Company, later to be known as Texaco.

No wonder the Col. had $750,000 to invest in 1946 and could easily stroke a check for a Mark II in 1956!

Ironic that it's owned by another Texan some 55 years later.

It's not a stretch to believe the likes of John Wayne and numerous other stars rode in the Mark while visiting the Flying L dude ranch back in the day.

Someone, somewhere must have pictures of that gorgeous car basking in its element.

Not willing to take good enough and leave it alone, I called the present Flying "L" and asked for more information about Jack and Lucy Lapham. They couldn't tell me whether Lucy was his daughter or wife. I was told that they thought that Jack and wife were killed in a plane crash at the Flying "L" but could give me no more information.

I tried some searching and found nothing. Maybe Pete (Doc) could give it a try, he seems to come up with things that I haven't been able to find.

[Doc]

Pat, you got me... :o I could only find the same sorts of references to the Flying L as you did. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything to verify who Lucy was, but the dates would suggest she was the Colonel's wife.

And I suspect Doc Watson is correct, I've got to believe that the Duke and a lot of the other celebrities that stayed and/or filmed at the Flying L probably rode around in 3017. In fact, I'd check the carpet for seeds--maybe even Willie took a trip in it...;)