This is an old subject, and my reply may not be noted by anyone. However, my family worked for Lincoln Mercury, and I can say, with 100% certainty, that two different things are being discussed here: corporate and marketing. In a nutshell, Continental stood, alone, as a brand, on Ford's corporate books for 1956 and '57, but in 1958, Continental merged with the Lincoln brand and never again had its own corporate books. However, Ford marketed the Continental Mark as being distinct from Lincoln. What they didn't ad was, "In spirit". Consequently, classifying the Continental Mark series as a Lincoln or not becomes a matter of perception or popular opinion.

From Ford Car Service Specifications 1982:

I think this is so obscure. Most of these cars I've seen may not say lincoln on them but use the elongated emblem. I mean I've never noticed it- to obscure of a program. It's like the fact that there are ten different types of ford 10-hole rims but they all pretty much look a like.

Has anyone contacted the Ford Motor Company to ask them about this? It seems like that would've settled things once and for all.

I'm with Ddey, not once did I ever see the name "Continental" on the "Ford Lincoln Mercury" sign at any dealership or "Continental" sprawled across the facade. Then again I never saw an Imperial dealership either. All were made as new cars in my lifetime.

It would be satisfying if the Wikipedia page on Continental would be put together. The part on Continental, which is now a part of the Lincoln page, is an amazingly confusing and, of course, immensely incorrect account of Continental history. This is quite depressing since folks out there wanting to make heads and tails of the various Lincoln and Continental models end up more confused than they ever were before.

Note that the mkII is already listed as continental make

Another ad for Continental Mk II. Ad clearly says Continental Division Ford Motor Company, not Lincoln Division
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiefordadverts/5219720692/

Yes, that's one of the features that I have to add. It would be useful in lots of cases (Vauxhall/Opel, Ford Capri, etc.)
Maybe I should add such feature and then only process with the renaming of the Continental.

Maybe there could be a feature like a warning or note that appears when you click Lincoln on the makes list saying 'Some Continental models may be listed under the Continental marque' ?

I'm not sure if I like this change. The 1969-1985 Mark coupes were indeed marketed as Continentals. I have a 1973 brochure of Continental Mark IV which proves it and my Mk IV doesn't have any Lincoln badges anywhere.

But generally speaking people refer to these cars as 'Lincoln Continental Mark something'. These cars were registered as Lincolns (at least in Europe). Every website and also period car catalogue say it's a Lincoln Continental. Actually I didn't even know about this Continental/Lincoln issue until now. People who come to IMCDB will search Mark IV's under Lincoln brand I guarantee that.