Had things gone to plan, our feature car would have become the 1961 Edsel Ranger. However, when Ford’s bold plans for the Edsel brand collapsed, the company recouped the development costs of the new Ranger by rebadging it and releasing it as the 1961 Mercury Meteor. This Meteor is the entry-level 600 variant, and it is genuinely special. It has a mere 8,100 miles showing on its odometer, and its condition is stunning. Its most pressing need is a new home, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Zappenduster for spotting the Mercury listed here on Craigslist in Clinton, New York. The seller set their price at $22,000, and they aren’t interested in trades.
Once the dust had settled following the Edsel debacle, Ford’s management team devised strategies to reposition Mercury to its original location within the company’s market offerings. It recouped some of its outlay by releasing the stillborn 1961 Edsel Ranger as the Mercury Meteor, positioning it as the company’s full-size model below the Monterey. This first-year example is a Meteor 600 2-Door Sedan, ordered by its first owner in Regency Turquoise. If it is all that the seller claims, it is an extraordinary survivor. The paint holds a wonderful depth of color and shine, with no evidence of patchiness or other shortcomings. There are no dings or dents, and I can’t spot any rust. The trim and glass are in good condition, and the combination of fender skirts, full wheel covers, and whitewall tires gives this car a classy look. The deal includes another set of wheel covers, spare skirts, and a set of dog dish hubcaps.
Trimmed in Turquoise vinyl and cloth, this Mercury’s interior makes a positive first impression. There appears to be a developing seam separation in the center of the front seat between the cloth and vinyl, and having it addressed by a competent upholsterer quickly would be wise to stop the problem in its tracks. Otherwise, there is nothing worth criticizing. The remaining upholstered surfaces are spotless, as is the dash. The gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings, and while this is a radio-delete vehicle, everything inside this classic is said to work as it should.
The “600” was the entry-level Meteor, which is reflected in this car’s mechanical specifications. Unusually for anything wearing the Mercury badge, buyers didn’t automatically receive a V8. This car features a 223ci six, developing a factory-claimed 135hp and 200 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission, and there is no power assistance for the steering or brakes. Performance would have been modest by the company’s standards, but hitting the road and cruising at 70 shouldn’t cause this classic to raise a sweat. The odometer reading must be taken with a grain of salt, because the seller doesn’t mention verifying evidence. The car’s condition makes it plausible, but most readers would expect something more concrete when assessing a ’61 Meteor in this price range. The seller indicates that the vehicle is a turnkey proposition that they would drive anywhere. Included is a spare new clutch and some tune-up items that may be handy in the future.
The Edsel brand wasn’t the sole casualty of the financial recession of the late 1950s. Declining sales also saw De Soto fall victim, while Studebaker managed to stagger on for a few years before bowing to the inevitable. That situation almost resulted in our feature car never seeing the light of day. Still, Ford’s determination to recover something from the Edsel financial disaster saw the Meteor hit the market wearing Mercury badges. The seller’s price for this 1961 Meteor 600 is well above the market average, but if the mileage claim is verifiable, the figure could be justified in the minds of some Barn Finds readers. Do you share that sentiment, or do you feel that the seller might be optimistic? So, it’s over to you for comments, and to discover if anyone is considering pursuing this classic further.
This one is a real head scratcher.
First off, I personally have never even heard of this model, but I was only 3 when it came out. Hagerty only lists a Meteor 800, which I would assume has an automatic transmission and maybe some other amenities not afforded in the Meteor 600.
Here’s the kicker: Hagerty lists a Meteor 800, in CONCOURS condition, at an astonishing $13,100. All I can say is the next 13 grand I get my hands on, I’m buying a concours Meteor.
I had similar thoughts as Rex. Not that I have much familiarity with early 60’s Mercury models, but I had never heard of a 600. This one is a stripper, amazing that one would be kept at all, let alone be in excellent condition.
I believe the mileage, that engine bay looks better than the car not long ago with only 6 miles on it.