The debate regarding the origins of the muscle car is endless with multiple takes on who, what, where, when and why. While many might suggest the GTO and the Mustang K-code as the birth point for the factory go-fast craze, cars like this 1962 Mercury Monterey S-55 predated that movement by two years. The biggest difference is size as, before ’64, performance often came in a full-size or E-segment car. The seller tells us that this Mercury is one of only 85 produced in ’62. Really? Well, let’s dig in and see what that’s all about. Located in Warwick, Pennsylvania, this big brute is available, here on craigslist for $32,900. Mitchell G. gets a salute for this tip!
“Mercury’s new-fashioned pair for the man with flair S-Fifty Five convertible and hardtop” suggested the ’62 S-55 sales brochure – I guess this was a him-car only, right? Whatever the case, my research source indicates that there were about four thousand S-55s assembled in ’62 a far cry from the seller’s claim of only 85. But…his number could be based on equipment, color, engine, etc. so we would need to know more, assuming that we were interested in knowing that level of detail. This car is existentially rare in its own right and that speaks volumes regardless of how many one of whatever it really is.
Firstly, this car’s listing images are lousy so I’ll try to do the best that I can with them. Beyond that, a muscle machine this car does not resemble methinks. It’s not just the boring hue, it’s the overall dowdy look in general. Yes, I know, looks are subjective and this is just my assessment. Of course, on the other hand, with its doggie bowl hubcaps, it possesses the perfect sleeper vibe! This hardtop is a sort of boxtop design that continued into mid-’63 when it was modernized with a nicely balanced fastback roofline. The original finish of this Monterey is rough but the body shows as sound and the seller claims “no rust“.
The big deal is the engine. The S-55 came with one of four engines, two 390s and two 406s and in this case, we’re dealing with the top dog, a 405 gross HP, triple carburetor fed 406 CI V8. The 406 is a rare study as it was only in production in ’62 and the first half of the ’63 model year until it was replaced by the 427. The 67K mile motor is said to have been rebuilt (all mechanics have been rebuilt) and it is certainly clean and complete looking. Nothing is said regarding the operating prowess of this big FE powerplant and its four-speed manual transmission.
The interior is standard S-55 fare with its bucket seats and center console. Other than the bottom rest of the passenger seat, the black vinyl upholstery shows well. The carpet is missing but its absence does reveal very solid-looking floor pans. The instrument panel looks the same as one found in any Monterey – there’s no indication of any sporting intentions and the huge tiller is typical for an era where power steering wasn’t standard and frequently not specified.
Yup, this is a cool find, no doubt. If I were to own this car, I might repaint it in its original shade and replace the carpet but that’s about it – I’d keep that subdued look. Anyway, that’s my thought, what’s yours?
I think this is a very cool car. One that you won’t see often, especially with this drivetrain configuration. I’d replace the carpet and get the seat cushion reupholstered or fixed and drive as-is for now. Despite being a sucker for originality, the body looks to be remarkably clean and straight so eventually I think I would repaint. Man, it’d look sharp resprayed in it’s original color. Kinda hard to tell, but judging by the taillights it looks like the seller may have a 63 S55 in his garage too.
Nah! Arrest me red, swap the T-10 for a T-56, and Magnum 500s! Give the old girl a little mascara and lipstick!
I agree with you! Dress her dressed to kill!
I’m in upstate NY and had this car back in the late 70’s. Very tempted to drop the wad on this bad boy. I agree about keeping that subdued look, for the total sleeper with 405HP!! Price is a bit on the high side, needing new carpet, the passenger bucket recovered and the biggest expense; a nice factory-correct paint job re-do. Certainly is solid and a very rare bird. I like it a lot!
She’s so fine my 406? (Inverted 6)
I like old lead sleds with 4,speed’s
Rewrite to, “She’s so slick my 406, three deuces and a 4-speed, she will really kick!”
“Runnin 405 horses from my 406. What more could you ask for, but rear cheater slicks?”
Even though I like GM’s full size sporty cars during this period, I like this sporty machine. One of my uncles had a ’62 Mercury 2 DR HT in the 70s when these were nothing but cheap used cars. I would love to have that car today. What a looker!
I really believe the 1 of 85 as in 406 w/ a 4 speed. I’m sure not many made that way and where you going to find another this solid. Back then you could order a car any way you wanted. I remember back in the 70’s a ’63 Ford 4 door h/t running around town with a 406 and 4 speed. The car was mint and for sale at 2,000 bucks. It was for sale quite a while, not many people wanted a 4 door muscle car or a gas guzzler. If we only knew.
Yeah, funny how something “just used” could be so interesting now. You also bring up a great point – it seemed like no one wanted a four-door back in the day. Even in the late 70s and early 80s, a family car was often a two-door. This was when the Cutlass was the best-selling car.
All of that makes big block four-doors very cool today!
Of course, the subject car isn’t one of those, but would have incredible sleeper value today, aside from what must be quite an exhaust note. I tend to agree with others here – minor sprucing up is all it needs and it’d be best to keep it as original as possible and just drive it. Given the engine and trans, that should be a fun plan!
You are not aware that us baby boomers ( I was born in 1946) back in the day considered 4 door cars as family cars and we would not drive or own such a vehicle. Having said that my first car was a two door 57′ Chev hardtop with power windows. My first new car was a 1965 Oldsmobile 442, Holiday Coupe, 4 speed, 400 cubes, 345 HP. If you drove a 4 door the females assumed you were driving the ” family car ” !!!!!!!! Enough said ?????
Very cool car and almost certainly the only one like it on cruise night. Even though it weighs 2 tons+, it should move out right smartly. Best wishes and congrats to new owner. Make it beautiful again and treat her nice.
Can you say sleeper . I love it
That year, the Comet could be had with the S-22 trim which also included bucket seats, console and a 260 V8.
And the Meteor S-33?
Wow, this thing has less rust than my 2014 Ford Focus! I like it, but that’s way too much money for such a stodgy, boring looking car that will have limited appeal to the broader market. It’s not a ‘Cuda or a Chevelle… More like a FoMoCo version of a Sport Fury or Catalina.
” … Nothing is said regarding the operating prowess of this big FE powerplant and its four-speed manual transmission. …”
What is the meaning of FE ?
FE= Ford Edsel
Thanks!
FE= Ford Engineering
MEL = Mercury/Edsel/Lincoln
FT= Ford Truck
The FE moniker refers to the Ford/Edsel big block series of engines introduced in 1958 (and built through 1976). Available in most Ford, Edsel, (and many Mercury) car and light truck models (and in medium to heavy duty trucks known as the FT) in a wide number of sizes ranging from 332 cu in to 428 (there was a 330 inch FT model). The 406 was short lived, being built and available only in model year 1962 and about half of 1963 (it was dropped when the 427 was introduced).
Ford only put these engines in Ford & Edsel, hence the FE. They had a completely different engine that they put in the higher end cars.
The FEs were also offered in Mercuries beginning with the 1961 models.
specifically, only the 390, 410 and 428 FEs. The low-end Merc FE was the 390 2-barrel.
While the drivetrain is cool, I agree with the “dowdy look” assessment; the ’62 looks lumpy and the fastbacks of ’63 and ’64 are far more attractive. As is, this isn’t a $33k car.
If it were a ragtop it would be perfect and worth the asking price. Still a pretty cool piece of history though. I always loved the six-pack carb setup. It just uses the center two-barrel when you keep your foot out of it for “better” fuel economy and then kicks in the other two when you mash it.
What a clean engine bay!The 406 has the same stroke as a 390 and the same bore as a 428.with a slightly bigger exhaust valve(1.66 versus 1.55 like the 390) and a cr of around 10:9.1But before the 427 there was also the 410 which is similar to the 390 and 406 as well.Both of which (406 and 410) saw time in NASCAR?But not with multi carb setup?
The FE 410 came along after the 427. It was only offered by Mercury for the 1966 and 1967 model years.
the 410 shared the 390 bore and 428 stroke, the opposite of the 406!
You may be thinking of the Edsel 410, only available in 1958, part of the
M – E – L engine family, which included 383, 410, 430, 462.
No, the 410 is an FE engine, only offered in ’66 and ’67 Mercuries. They share the same block as the 390 and 428, also FE engines.
Actually, there were two 410s, an FE and a MEL (’58 Edsel).
JO
Loved reading the well mannered comment volley.
The information and knowledge on this site is amazing! Thank you all for your input.
Some mel 430s and 431s ended up in the Chris Craft commander.