The Family MARK II
Researching an old car that stayed in one clan for 65 years can be a fascinating journey through the history of a vehicle and a family. When we agreed to do an appraisal of a 1956 Continental Mark II owned by Wisconsin State Senator Robert Cowles, it was hard to imagine how many interesting side roads we’d travel while going down the “super highway to the past.” Our trip back in time would turn up a good deal of information about this rare car, but also lead to mysteries surrounding its rebuild in Arizona 46 years ago.
According to The Continental Mark II Database ( the car being appraised was originally sold to Dr. Robert L. Cowles in 1956. It has remained in the Cowles family since new. The database lists the selling dealer as Al Rudolf Motors, Inc., of Appleton, Wis. However, old photos with the car show it being delivered to Dr. Cowles at Bird Johns Motors Lincoln-Mercury in Green Bay. It is likely that Bird Johns
