Sun Star 1:18 1958 Lincoln Continental Mark III Convertible

The Mark III forged a new path for both the Lincoln and Continental marques. Ford briefly built the Continental Mark II independently, virtually by hand in a dedicated production facility. The result was an incomparable vehicle with an unmistakably European feel, intended for a rarified buyer and carrying a price to match. In 1958, during a recession and perhaps realizing that, with the Mark II an indelible statement for its image had already been made, Ford dissolved the Continental Division after the Mark III emerged. The highly stylized, extravagant car was poised to challenge Cadillac and Imperial. Bearing no resemblance to its numeric forebear, it was instead a long, tapered affair, elaborately molded with deep sculpting around the wheel wells. Up front was the majestic Lincoln star hood ornament and a brace of imperious, slanted quad headlights; at the rear a massive oval bumper encasing simple light clusters. The 430 c.i. V8, the biggest in the industry at the time, produced 375 HP (and a paltry 10 mpg). It measured 227" long, and depending on the body style, weighed between 4,800 and 5,000 lbs. Priced between $5800 and $6000, here was a car of grand proportions and pretensions.

With so many 50s cars waiting to be done, the superb 1956 Premiere already part of the Platinum series and Yat Ming's fine Mark II, one might find the choice of the Mark III curious. Some dismiss it as excessive, even for its period. In fact many Lincoln purists, when referring to the Mark III, skip the 1958 and go directly to the 1968-69 car Lee Iacocca launched as Ford's personal luxury car answer to the Cadillac Eldorado, and which continued as a successful model series for many years. Part of the reason the original Mark III is seen as a garish overstatement by some could be its position between its siblings. Between the supreme elegance of the Mark II and the classic, timeless beauty of the early 1960s Continentals, the Mark III is almost a caricature. But viewed on its own merits, there is much to admire. It handily outsold the Mark II (admittedly, largely due to its drastically lower price). Perhaps the original Mark III, a freshly conceived car of its time, is overdue for an aesthetic reappraisal. Sun Star is to be commended for offering a fresh look at it.

This vies with the chrome-laden 1958 Buick Limited as the most grandiose yet in Sun Star's expanding, high detail Platinum Collection. Sun Star introduced the Collection in impressive fashion in 2007 with the 1956 Lincoln Premiere. All the major ingredients for contention in the mid-to-high end segment were then already in place: superb fit and finish, including paint application comparable to the best in the business, superb chrome, wonderfully detailed interior and engine bay, very good undercarriage and exquisite touches of fine detail, such as foil scripts and insignias. If operating features were not a priority, there was still enough to keep the collector entertained. Now we have all these laudable attributes further refined, expanded and lavished on this daring and extravagant subject. In terms of sheer size and excellence of execution, this is an enormously impressive model.

Despite early reservations based on pre-pro photos, Sun Star's Mark III is an accurately scaled and beautifully proportioned replica of one of the most distinctive automotive creations of the 1950s. Once again, fit and finish are beyond reproach. No matter which color you choose, you'll be seduced by the quality of the paint. I'm simply amazed by the virtual lack of chips, flecks and other surface imperfections and the complete absence of orange peel. Door and hood hinges are sophisticated and ensure a snug, sure fit. The fender skirts are removable, a first for Sun Star. And of course the chrome, not excessive on this car despite the elaborate design, is deep and lustrous in the Sun Star manner. The fine details include photo etched front and rear grill work, raised foil used for the Continental scripts on the front fenders as well as the star on the rear grill and a simply exquisite replica of the hood ornament. Light lenses front and rear are excellent, highly realistic separate lenses with no mounting posts.

Interior detail again has Sun Star giving of its best, with flocking, doorsills, working visors with passenger vanity mirror and a strikingly detailed wheel and dash, including an opening ash tray (another Sun Star first). The optional automatic headlight dimmer is mounted atop the instrument module. The two-tone cloth and leather seats are faithfully replicated in a soft touch material with embossed patterning and simulated creases. The most realistically detailed and chrome accented door panels yet in the Collection complete this miniaturized compartment that draws you into the 1950s luxury experience. As a convertible, the top was swept from view beneath a steel boot behind the rear seat. As a four-door hardtop, two-door coupe or indeed with the convertible top up, the roofline added further drama with its canted "Breezeway" rear window. On the model, the boot concealing the top fits and functions well. Though the top itself is not included, it's nicely represented in real cloth within its compartment, pleated to duplicate the folds in its retracted statea superb detail. The trunk has a fitted black-and-white checkered mat, with matching cover for the spare. The jack and lug wrench are neatly tucked behind the wheel well.

Under the hood (which opens forward on authentic hinges), the replication of the grand V8 is exemplary, with a full complement of wires, hoses, signage and stickers. Undercarriage detail once again shows all the major components carried out in separate, well-scaled pieces, with an especially fine rendering of the dual exhaust. Nice, stiff suspension, but no rotating drive shaft (fine by me). As with other issues in this impressive series, this one is ensconced in a near fool-proof package designed to show the product off to maximum effect while ensuring safe, secure delivery. And the accompanying literature and "Platinum" hang-tag style fob fully support the high standards of the Collection. If ultra-luxurious convertibles from the Fabulous Fifties appeal to you, your car awaits! Perhaps the crowning achievement of the series so far, the hardtops should be quite special, too. A superb effort, very highly recommended.

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