Spotlight on Mark II Histories

[Pat Marshall]

In this thread I will highlight the histories of selected Mark II's presented in out Registry History Forum.

The Registry Histories are a unique and rich resource available to Mark II Forum members. In reviewing the number of members who view the histories, it is clearly an under-utilized resource, also,

Hopefully, we can generate more interest in our extensive histories.

[Pat Marshall]

In the September-October 2021 Issue of Lincoln and Continental Comments LCOC Member George T. Lyons presented an article about Mark II #3694. This car was sold new to Francis S. Yenowine of Terre Haute, IN who immediately had the car customized by adding fins from a Chrysler Motors car of that era. (they look like a '57 DeSoto to me). The modification also included the addition of lower quarter panel side moldings similar to those on the Cadillac El Dorado.

Yenowine died shortly thereafter, and the car was immediately purchased by Tony Hulman who became famous for saving the Indianapolis 500 and turning it into the event that it is today, Hulman died in 1977, but the car remained in the possession of the Hulman Family until last year.

The car had been privately stored at the Speedway Museum for four decades and was never put on display.

George Lyon's article presents the history of the car, and the events leading up to his purchase of it last year from the Hulman Family. The article presents excellent photos of the car. I am contacting Mr. Lyons to obtain permission to present his photos of 3694 in the Forum.

This is the only Mark II that I know of that was taken from the Dealer's Showroom to a body shop to be modified. The workmanship was excellent as is the condition of the car. Of course we'll get responses from our cadre of modification haters, and I sure gasped when I first saw the photos. But Mr. Lyons in his article said "...I am sure that in 1957, just as today, the alteration of the beautiful lines of the Mark II was met with some criticism, but custom work such as this was not uncommon in the era and is part of this car's extraordinary history."

Here is the link to 3694's history in our Registry - https://www.markiiforum.com/showthre...highlight=3694

[Mark II Seeker]

Pat,

Do you have any pictures of 3694 after it's "customization"?

[Barry Wolk]

Pat, when was the Derham car with the diving platform made? Was that made from a newly purchased car?

[Milsteads Garage]

There are a few histories I would like to bring to light. First, Henry J Kaiser owned two of them. I find this unremarkable until I put this piece together from a book I read. When they were testing the 1958 Lincoln, they hit a pothole or something pretty drastic in the road and completely destroyed the uni-body on a prototype. They then got their hands on a Rambler and disassembled it to see how it was built. Was there a trade for the second car for the Rambler they dissected to get the uni-body right? The second car built went directly to a dealership owned by the Kaiser corporation. Sounds like a pretty awesome trade not to mention the 58-60 Lincoln looks a whole lot like a Rambler.

The second, I remember reading this one years ago and I don’t remember a whole lot of it. The main suspect of the unsolved Black Dahlia murders owned a Collins convertible if I remember right. All of his information along with the vin number of his car is something we should have on file.

[Milsteads Garage]

Car 2828- This owner stands out to me. Read and you’ll figure out why.

[Pat Marshall]

Barry - Good catch - 1083 was a factory fresh Introductory Unit when purchased by John Barnes of Oserville, Massachusetts and sent to Derham for cistomization.

Morgan - Dahlia Murder suspect Dr. Patrick O'Reilly bought 2730 new in 1956 in Glendale CA. This was decades before Collins began convertible conversions. Here is the most recent photo I have of 2730.

2730 7-11-15 Vicari Auctions New Orleans_1.jpg

[Barry Wolk]

In the September-October 2021 Issue of Lincoln and Continental Comments LCOC Member George T. Lyons presented an article about Mark II #3694. This car was sold new to Francis S. Yenowine of Terre Haute, IN who immediately had the car customized by adding fins from a Chrysler Motors car of that era. (they look like a '57 DeSoto to me). The modification also included the addition of lower quarter panel side moldings similar to those on the Cadillac El Dorado.

Yenowine died shortly thereafter, and the car was immediately purchased by Tony Hulman who became famous for saving the Indianapolis 500 and turning it into the event that it is today, Hulman died in 1977, but the car remained in the possession of the Hulman Family until last year.

The car had been privately stored at the Speedway Museum for four decades and was never put on display.

George Lyon's article presents the history of the car, and the events leading up to his purchase of it last year from the Hulman Family. The article presents excellent photos of the car. I am contacting Mr. Lyons to obtain permission to present his photos of 3694 in the Forum.

This is the only Mark II that I know of that was taken from the Dealer's Showroom to a body shop to be modified. The workmanship was excellent as is the condition of the car. Of course we'll get responses from our cadre of modification haters, and I sure gasped when I first saw the photos. But Mr. Lyons in his article said "...I am sure that in 1957, just as today, the alteration of the beautiful lines of the Mark II was met with some criticism, but custom work such as this was not uncommon in the era and is part of this car's extraordinary history."

Here is the link to 3694's history in our Registry - https://www.markiiforum.com/showthre...highlight=3694

The only thing I'm going to say is, "nice interior".

Recent photos.

244598020_879041452730597_4677776628668743136_n.jpg

244988898_607388926953265_5221175235492824112_n.jpg

244598025_1757932367929352_1211763189568539325_n.jpg

245136167_263054909162801_630821020984026951_n.jpg

[Milsteads Garage]

I am seriously having fun with this thread. To all of you lurking, help us out! Start looking! Anyway, a little known fact about me is my second job that I started in 2000 is I used to disassemble Vietnam era Sikorsky helicopter rotors and sand blast them for $8 an hour. It was the most boring job I ever had. It did not stimulate my mind because I never got to do anything technical. It was my only entry and exit into the field of Aircraft.

Igor Sikorsky bought one of these cars brand new. Unlike all of the cars we’ve previously researched, this one took a pretty serious whack to the nose and was subsequently parted out.

[Pat Marshall]

The only thing I'm going to say is, "nice interior".

Well said, Barry, I totally agree.

A note to everyone. The Mark II Forum is a home to ALL MARK II’s, and their owners and to potential owners. Regardless of whether cars are 100 point originals, Resto-mods or Customs they’re welcome here. Constructive comments are always encouraged.