The Ayrburn Classic Live Auction

Welcome to the Ayrburn Classic Live Auction 2026.
This vehicle will be auctioned live at the iconic Ayrburn Estate, Arrowtown, on Saturday 21 February 2026 at 5:00pm.
For questions, bidding registration (in person, online, or phone), pre-purchase inspections or additional history, please contact us here or visit the Sunday Drive website auction pages
The reserve price is significantly lower that the listed price.
Price guide $130,000 - $150,000

1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II
The most exclusive American luxury car ever produced, and this black-on-black example embodies the full presence and prestige that made the Mark II legendary. Its long, formal lines, understated chrome, and hand-finished craftsmanship place it among the most elegantly designed American cars of the 1950smore akin to a coachbuilt grand tourer than a mass-produced luxury coupe.
Under the hood lies the powerful 6.0-liter (368 cu in) V8, delivering smooth, effortless performance that perfectly matches the Mark IIs refined character. Built with meticulous attention to detail, these cars were assembled in limited numbers, each one essentially hand-crafted and priced higher than a Rolls-Royce when new. The result is a driving experience that feels remarkably sophisticated even today: quiet, confident, and unmistakably premium.
In New Zealand, the Mark II is exceptionally rareonly a tiny handful of examples ever made it here. For collectors, this makes it one of the most desirable American classics on NZ shores, valued both for its scarcity and for its status as a centre piece of 1950s automotive luxury. Dressed in black and carrying one of the most prestigious nameplates in American motoring, this 1956 Continental Mark II is a statement car of the highest order.