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1969 Continental Mark III |
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460 CID V-8 Engine (365 Horsepower)
Select-Shift Automatic Transmission Power Steering Power Front Disc Brakes Cartier Electric Chronometer Power Windows Concealed Headlamps Dual Exhaust System Twin Comfort Lounge Seats, 2-Way Power (Driver and Passenger) with Front and Rear Center Folding Armrests Heater-Defroster System Flow-Thru Ventilation System Rear Lamp Monitoring System Header Console Warning Lights for Door Ajar, Headlamp Door Open, Seat Belts Reminder, and Trunk Open Variable Speed Hydraulic Windshield Wipers English Oak or East India Rosewood Appliques on Instrument Panel, Steering Wheel Spoke, Door and Rear Quarter Trim Panels Automatic Parking Brake Release Adjustable Head Restraints (Standard on January 1, 1969) Visor Vanity Mirror Glove Compartment Vanity Mirror [view image] Fully Carpeted Luggage Compartment with Spare Tire Cover Dual Hydraulic Brake System with Warning Light Shoulder Belts for Front Outboard Occupants Turn Indicators with Lane-Changing Signal Feature Energy Absorbing Instrument Panel with Padding Padded Sun Visors Windshield Washers 4-Way Emergency Flasher Back-up Lights Side Marker Lights Self-Locking Front Seat Backs Remote Control Rear View Mirror, Driver's Side Corrosion-Resistant Brake Lines Non-Reversing Odometer Safety Glove Box Latch Color-Keyed Bodyside Accent Stripe Full Flared Wheel Covers Front Map Light Rear Reading Lights |
 Mark III instrument panel (above) was well executed, driver only controls were within easy reach of driver, while others were grouped thoughtfully for front seat passengers. Note optional Speed Control on/off switch on underside of padded dash, to left and just above rim of steering wheel. Steering wheel center hub design shown is from production during 1969 model year; early cars, built during the 1968 production run utilized a different design (all first year Mark IIIs were built as 1969 models, no 1968-1/2 models exist.) |
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 The attention to detail on the new Continental Mark III was incredible;
even the stitching of the seat upholstery had to allow for wrinkles in
the material in specific areas. The door trim panels (right) demonstrated
that same attention to detail with diamond patterned padded vinyl on the
panels, accented by chrome, brushed aluminum, and wood. |
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 Front of Mark III is bold and elegant; grille was carefully plated to ensure lasting beauty. Headlamp doors were vacuum operated, featured an internal spring that would automatically open them in event of vacuum failure. Warning light on overhead roof console alerted driver if one of the headlamp doors hadn't fully opened. Other lights overhead warn of door ajar, trunk ajar, and remind everyone to fasten seat belts. |
 From the rear, the Mark III featured a spare tire hump on the deck lid that was reminiscent of the 1956-57 Continental Mark II, a car which owed many of its design traits to the original 1939 Lincoln Continental, a car originally intended to be a one-off special car for Edsel Ford, for his planned trip to Florida. When his friends saw it, they were thrilled, and he reportedly had two hundred orders in hand if the car were to go into production! |
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