As the successor in name to the Continental Mark II of 1956-57, the Lincoln Mark III continued the Lincoln Mark heritage at its high-profile unveiling as an early 1969 model at the 1968 running of the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 23, 1968. Sharing its chassis with the 4-door Ford Thunderbird, the new Lincoln Mark III was an inspired combination of Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental styling cues, featuring a sculpted 2-door formal coupe body with hidden headlights, a faux rear spare-tire bulge to the trunk lid. The crowning touch was a bright Rolls-Royce pantheon style grille up front a bold feature demanded by none other than Lee Iacocca, vice-president of Ford Motor Companys car and truck group.
 
Positioned opposite Cadillacs heavily redesigned front-drive Eldorado, plus the Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado, and Chrysler New Yorker coupe, the premium-level Mark III was powered to match by Fords biggest available V-8 engine, displacing 460 cubic inches with 365 factory-rated horsepower on tap. Befitting its market stature, the Mark III came one way fully loaded, with a limited selection of additional options. A multitude of opportunities for personalization were  available with the Mark III; considering available paint, accent stripe, vinyl roof, and interior trim colors, 4,752 color combinations were possible,  
ensuring buyers would be hard-pressed to see two identical cars anywhere.
 
As with its 1950s Mark II predecessor, the new Mark III was simply branded Continental within Ford Motor Companys Lincoln-Mercury Division structure, without Lincoln branding anywhere on the vehicle.  While certainly a commercial success, the Mark III was not built in Fords customary high volumes, with total production of 79,381 examples through 1971, including 1969-model production of 7,770 in 1968 and 23,088 during 1969.
 
Top-quality Continental Mark III survivors are few and far between today, making this beautifully preserved and incredibly original example an outstanding find for enthusiasts of Americas greatest personal-luxury cars of the 1960s and 1970s. Offered with just 33,060 Actual miles, this 1969 Continental Mark III was sold new in Pennsylvania and remains virtually impeccable, featuring a striking White paint finish, accented by a Black vinyl roof covering and Black cloth-and-vinyl interior. Options and amenities are plentiful as expected, including A/C, an AM/FM radio with power antenna, auto-dimming headlights, cruise control, a power-adjustable split front seat, and power-assists for the brakes, steering, locks, mirrors, and windows. In addition to a spare wheel/tire, roadside jack, and lug wrench, the Mark III also includes an original owners manual. Freshly detailed and ready to collect and enjoy, this outstanding 1969 Continental Mark III is surely one of the finest original survivors in existence.