With only 3,048 built and very few having survived, any Continental Mark III convertible is a rarity. Especially remarkable is the car offered here, which is one of the finest original, unrestored examples remaining in existence. According to a 1984 advertisement, it had remained in storage since 1958, having been driven only 5,800 original miles. A year later, longtime Southern California enthusiast Gilbert Zimmerman followed up on the advertisement and, finding the car still in excellent condition, purchased it from dealer John Farrell of Seattle. It quickly became one of the Zimmerman family’s favorite cars, lovingly dubbed “Battlestar Galactica.”
The car resided in the Zimmerman collection until 2008, when it was acquired by Dennis Mitosinka with 6,381 actual miles. At the time of cataloguing it recorded 6,403 actual miles, and it remains in remarkable order.
The factory Silver Poly paint remains largely unmarked, aside from one scratch on the rear deck and very minor chipping around the lower door edges, and is in overall utterly amazing condition for being over 60 years old. Similarly, the interior shows only light stretching wear. The chrome trim shows gentle pitting throughout but is undeniably original. The trunk retains its original mat and the original Goodyear full-size spare, apparently unused. The original Sunshade Solex windshield remains intact. Only the black convertible top is a replacement, the original having been inadvertently damaged during service for Mr. Zimmerman, necessitating its restoration.
Following his acquisition, Mr. Mitosinka had the radiator and fuel pump overhauled, the fuel tank cleaned, and all wheel cylinders rebuilt; new wheels and tires were also fitted. The carburetor has recently been rebuilt and a new battery was installed this year. The car would further benefit from a thorough, sympathetic cleaning and gentle detailing.
Accompanying the car are the four original wheels with original Goodyear tires with most tread still remaining, an original owner’s manual, paint chart, and assorted service receipts. This is an excellent Mark III – among the most original, best-preserved, and lowest-mileage to be found, a true “time capsule.”