This is what I said in response to one of Barry's FB posts. While he is an asset to Mark II research and knowledge I have always felt he just does not give the car, its engineers and assemblers enough credit for such an acconplishment. To which all he replied is I live in a fantasty world. This was my comment he is now posting about here so see both sides:
With all due respect Barry Wolk I think your lack of an imagination (minds eye, like you have said yourself) keeps you from being able to assemble all the facts and see what the car really was. You may like the Mark II and own a popular one, but you can't seem to really see the whole story which is very sad. Your narratives as informational as they may be, are what keep the Mark II from being elevated to a higher appreciation and understanding in the collector car world. You have the ability to influence change but you keep the car at Chevrolet level. Why? No one ever "fact picks" a 57-58 Brougham the way you do when they are in fact up at the same level. Surely we can agree on that? It was just as much of a common parts GM assembly line 99 piece tool set Union wage worker assembled supplier parts built car as the Mark II. But the Mark II was better. Why? It was built with that same fantasy you accuse me of. Is there anywhere close to the documentation that exists for our cars available for the Brougham? From preproduction, planning, testing, design, production, the plant, the workers, original ownerships. No. Not even close. It blows a Brougham away without the fancy toys and gimmicks. Why dont you see that!? I can combine your facts with Ford marketing and see the car in it's TRUE light, nonsense omitted. I have always tried to tread lightly around you. You have always been kind to me but I have always disagreed with your perception and how you hold the cars prestige back when you can in fact make a change for the better.
Knick Gomez
1956 Mark II C56C2306
1958 Edsel Villager 9 passenger
1959 Thunderbird
1959 Cadillac Series 62
1952 Cadillac Series 62
1949 GMC 250 tow truck
1951 Bentley Mk VI
2004, 2006 Scion xB