Introduced in April 1968 as an early 1969 model, the Continental Mark III is the direct spiritual successor of the limited production, ultra-luxurious Continental Mark II produced by a short-lived Continental division of Ford Motor Company between in 1956 and 1957. Confusingly, a direct linear descendent of the Mark II, the Continental Mark III, first wore the name in 1958. Large and somewhat extravagant even for its time, it did not sell as well as Cadillac, but nonetheless earned high reviews from motoring periodicals of the day. The 1958 Mark III was the first car to be built at the new Wixom, Michigan assembly plant. With some 7,000 built during the remainder of the 1968 model year, and another 23,858 cars for the 1969 model year, Lincoln had always trailed Cadillac in production numbers, but the Mark III almost equaled the Eldorado, which tallied 23,333 for 1969. This was the start of a long, successful run for the Lincoln Continental Mark Series.Because of its early introduction and extended production year, the 1969 model had several running changes made. Cars produced prior to July 1968 had a steering wheel pad with a much larger wood appliqu and Continental star logo than later cars. Cars produced prior to July 1968 featured a decorative stitching pattern on the face of the rear seat above the center arm rest. After July 1968 the seatbelt retractors were relocated and eight additional exterior color choices were added. Cars produced before the second week of December 1968 had white indicator needles for all instruments and controls, and an electric clock with Arabic Numerals was used. Cars produced after the second week of December 1968 utilized orange indicator needles for all instruments and controls, and a Cartier Chronometer with Roman Numerals was installed. All cars produced after December 31, 1968 were equipped with driver and front passenger head rests per Federal mandate. Finished in the original color of Black with Gold Nugget interior, the car appears to be a 59,000 ORIGINAL mile car that has been extremely well preserved by its two owners from new. With the original owner having the car until 2009 in the state of Rhode Island, this car comes on a clean, actual mileage title showing the mileage at the time of transfer was 57,886 on 11/27/2009. The paint on the car is in very good original condition with no major imperfections. There are a few minor flaws but overall in very good condition. The most notable are some rock chips to the front of the car. The front and rear bumpers are both in great condition with no notable pitting or damage showing to either. They both retain a great shine and luster. All of the stainless trim around the car and on the lower rockers is in great condition with no damage showing. Inside, the Gold Nugget leather interior looks great. With power seats, Autronic eye, power windows, remote mirror, cruise control, AM/FM radio and A/C, the car comes loaded with all the options. Best of all, all of these options work! The seats are in wonderful, original condition with no major wear to be found. There is some minor wear but overall they look great. The same goes for the carpet, headliner, door panels and dash. The wood shows no cracking inside the car. All lights, blinkers, wipers work with no issues as well as the Autronic eye. Under the hood, the big V8 looks very clean and shows no damage. The engine compartment starts with no issues and runs down the road great. The automatic transmission shifts as it should. The wheels are covered with Lincoln hub caps and are wrapped with new wide white bias ply tires. In the trunk, the car retains the original full size spare and jack. The current mileage shows 59,390 and is said to be original for the car. VIN number is 9Y89A900305 and the car is being sold on a clean actual mileage title.