Some barn finds are more exciting than others. Everyone would love to find a Hemi-powered muscle car in a barn, but what about this humble 1956 Mercury Monterey? The thick layer of dust caught my attention but the V8 engine and exterior styling kept me intrigued. It’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Milford, Nebraska for $9,000. Thanks go to Barn Finds reader Zappenduster for the tip!
That big bench seat looks cushy and I love the simple design of the gauge cluster. This car was designed in a time when the aesthetics were a priority, even at the expense of ergonomics or economy. That’s a good thing today because most classic cars are enjoyed more visually rather than dynamically. I bet this old car might actually surprise you in the performance department though.
It may be covered in dust but supposedly this Mercury ran and drove less than three years ago. The seller isn’t sure if it will now but that’s usually promising unless it was parked because of something catastrophic. This one is powered by Ford’s 312 cubic inch Y-block V8. These were good engines as long as the oil was changed regularly. They also put out over 200 horsepower so this thing is no slouch.
With lightning bolt shaped trim, this Merc looks fast even when it’s sitting still in a barn! It may not be to everyone’s taste but I think any real car guy would give this fifties cruiser a second look. With 56k miles showing on the odometer, it would be fun to see how much of the car is original. With any luck, some fresh fuel and a battery will bring this one back to life. There are worse ways to spend ten grand, right?
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