The Continental Mark II is a personal luxury car that was produced by Continental in 1956 and 1957. An attempt to build a post-World War II car to rival the greatest of the pre-War era, or anything produced in Europe, it is regarded as a rare and elegant classic. The new Continental was not intended to be the largest or most powerful automobile; rather, the most luxurious and elegant American car available, designed to recapture the spirit of the great classics of the prewar period—with prices to match. The Mark II's inspiration was the celebrated V12-powered Lincoln Continental of the 1940s, among the most notable cars of that War-interrupted decade. The cars had a very European simple look with Bits of Jewelry scattered everywhere to highlight the edges. Options were plentiful and included Power Windows, Seat, Brakes, Steering and Air Conditioning fed from the trunk through tubes up into the headliner.