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?
Seller doesn’t seem to be all that motivated to sell it. Bet it’s a nice looking ride when it’s clean.
A lot of talk way back when about the improvements of the 312 over the 292 in the T-Birds of the era.
Clean it up. Replace the needed stuff. Get some good fuel and lubricants.
Go cruise.
I agree with you Nevadahalfrack. I think it would actually clean up very nicely. It would be great to see some ” after ” photos all cleaned up. Its a nice Merc.
In 1956 my parents bought a new ford fairlane with the 312 225hp it was fast for the time i was 11 years old older sister was 16 and driving remember her racing her friend in her parents new 265 chevy the ford won Everytime
Would outrun a ‘56 Chevy.
And it’s a lot cheaper! Seems like a great tri-five alternative.
I agree. This is not a ” Me Too” kind of car which I really like. It’ll be nice to see what this would look like cleaned up.
312 56 ford 265 56 Chevy ford won Everytime
Seems reasonable price. No observed rust, interior looks good. Go for it!
Super sweet ride.
There’s always been something special about ’55-’56 Mercury’s.
I agree, Chris. I particularly like the minimal fin rear end, as well as the chrome side trim. Ford made some nice looking cars and this Merc is one of the nicest overall. Chevy may have outsold them, but not on the basis of looks IMO. That said, the 57 Ford 2 door hardtop and convertible were among the prettiest cars of the era, and, while outselling Chevy for that one year, have never been treated to the same love and respect of the Tri-5s. I don’t get it.
This car is gorgeous (so much nicer than its upscale cousin, the Lincoln), but in the later 50s, Mercury seemed to have lost its way stylewise with their strange taillight treatments and back-slanted rear windows (some of which opened).
My dad bought one new in 56. Always talked about it. Said it was a fast car for its day.
So did my Dad. Ours was the 4 door Medalist “Phaeton.” All models had the 312 ci Y-block with a 4 bbl carb, either a Holley or a Carter. Ours was the Carter, which had vacuum advance secondaries that opened up upon demand. The salesman made a point of demonstrating this feature to us. The acceleration was impressive.
When I used to ride my bike, I had a regular route down the by the river, and a kindly old man always sat on his porch and waved. He was/is in his 90s, never married, lived alone never left home. In the back yard was a shed, never paid much mind. One glorious day, the door was open, and the front end of a ’56 Mercury with the hood open. That was all I needed to see. Dropped the bike, the car was running, but hardly a sound. I said, is this yours? Yep, he said, bought it new. 312, 4 barrel, bored out, 3 speed, O/D, he said at one time it was quite the terror. Back roads of Colorado in the 50s, mind you. He rebuilt the motor, but didn’t drive, and it sat. I wonder what will happen to that car? They are still out there. It wasn’t a Ford with lock washers, that’s for sure. Wonderful cars.
It looks like the so called San Francisco Merc that was all the rage in 2013. I found out about that car on a site called Old Parked Cars at that time. The site’s founder, Tony Piff, was on a business trip and decided to find the car after hearing about it from some of the commenters told him about it. The car was parked on a side street under what was the Embarcadero freeway that was never finished. It was said that car was moved on occasion but always returned to that same spot. It is believed that someone had been living in it
for many years as the windows were covered over and most of the chrome trim was covered over with some type of packing tape to protect it from the elements. That car has become a legend in the San Francisco area to those who know about it.
And at some point, you could actually find it by using Google Earth. You can find out what is known about it by typing the words “San Francisco Mercury” into your search box and it should
take you right to it. Any postings
About the car will more than likely
be dated now, but it does indeed
exist– or it did when the stories about it went national 15 years ago. Seeing our feature car reminds me of it and what it might look like today in a partially
clean condition. Makes me wonder if it’s still there today.
I’d see that car on my fairly regular bike route. It sat across the street from Best Buy and was almost always parked in the Office Depot parking lot. The body was straight and it had all of its glass. Never really looked inside it because it was packed to the gill and it was probably someone’s home. Don’t know if it’s still there but it did get moved, although not sure if pushed or on it’s own.
Nice car
Lots of potential with this survivor Mercury. It’s definitely more affordable than the same year Chevy would be. I’m partial to Mercurys anyway. There are companies that specialize in rebuilding this type treadle Vac brake booster. It’s pricey, but you can modify a more modern version if you’re creative. I know she would clean up nicely, but the big question is will it run. If the engine turns freely, it may well be worth the gamble.
give it a wash. that will do a lot for it. looks like there is another outside the building.
My Dad had a 1956 Mercury. I loved that car. It was always cold in the back seat in the winter. I would love to have this car. When can I see it
Nice looking Merc. There is a lot you could do with this one.
Now, where did I put that 10k?
I took my 1st. driver’s license test in one of them. Great car.
Came home from the hospital with mom, in my dad’s “brand new” used ’56 Mercury Montclair. While I was being born, dad was out buying the Mercury to “surprise” mom. Persimmon and Gun Metal Grey. With the 312. I loved that car, and was crushed when dad sold it to my older cousin, to buy a ’66 Mercury Monterey. Cousin Dave destroyed the car in a year, and I last spied it in the mid-70’s, sitting forlorn looking, in the parking lot of a trailer park.
Love the taillights on ‘56 Mercs.
This car is an “All There” rust free beauty. With some TLC it will make someone a great entry into the Classic car hobby. Parts are still available for the 312 Y block, so even if it needs an inframe overhaul, the buyer will have a classic without breaking his checkbook as bad as he would with a tri-five Chevy.
A whole lotta Stylin for not much coin !