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Amazing Survivor: 1960 Mercury Monterey

1960 Mercury Monterey

The seller of this immaculate Mercury Monterey claims that it is all original and has only covered 15k miles since new. Supposedly, it was kept in the same Pennsylvania family until just recently and was only used as a fair weather car. Stories like this are always hard to believe, but after looking at the photos, I cant find any reason to doubt it. The condition of the car is amazing though, so even if you cant afford it, it’s worth a look. Find it here on eBay out of Lakeland, Florida. Thanks goes to Charles H for the tip!

Monterey Interior

The seller knows what they have, so dont expect to get a bargain on this one. Then again, how many survivor grade Montereys can there be left out there? Especially in this awesome hue of Polynesian Beige! The car does look great and it even has features that make it unique.

312 V8

There’s a 312 Thunderbird engine under the hood and although that is not necessary unique for one of these, this connect to a 3-speed manual! The seller mentions that you would normally see that transmission attached to an inline-six, not the V8. I’m really starting to like this car!

Rear Window

After looking at the photos, I realized something. This one is a lot like my very first classic car! When I was 14, my parents let me drag home my grandfather’s 1959 Mercury. I wish they wouldn’t have because I didn’t really know what I was doing. Still, I learned a lot about cars and grew an appreciation for the classics. I remember that everyone making a big fuss about the glass being intact. I didn’t understand it then, but I bet the front and rear windshields go for big money now. Anyway, I hope this one goes to a good home!

Comments

  1. Avatar Joe

    That’s around 5 miles a week for 55 years. –Wow.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Rick

    Amazing original condition for such an old car, and neat that its a three on the tree, but too bad there’s no o/d!

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    • Avatar Jason Houston

      Mercury didn’t offer O/D in 1960 but it sure would be fun!

      Like 0
  3. Avatar David G

    I know it was the seller’s statement, but was a Six even an available option in a Mercury for 1960? I thought the 312 V-8 was the smallest engine. Experts anyone? Jason?

    In any case, an AMAZING example of a 60 Merc, hope someone continues its preservation.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jason Houston

      The first 6-cylinder Mercury was the 1961 Meteor, a car based loosely on the 1960 Edsel and 1960 Fairlane. But, hey, a 312 and a standard would be a blast, even in a 1960 Mercury 2-DSD!

      Like 0
      • Avatar David G

        What about the 60 Comet, wasn’t that a six? (Also a car ‘supposed to be’ the new ‘small Edsel’ i believe…)

        Like 0
  4. Avatar boxdin

    Beautiful Car. Rear glass reminds me of 85 ? or so Toronado w that wrap around effect. Same seller of Merc has a 61 Buick Invicta wagon as nice as this car. Cool.

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  5. Avatar Woodie Man

    What is the deal with Lakeland Fla? I keep seeing cars being sold out of there. Hmmm…Beautiful car. Just look at the seat fabric and the door panel inserts! Be still my heart. And row your own gears to boot! Cant beat it with a stick…..well maybe a hardtop

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    • Avatar Jason

      “What is the deal with Lakeland Fla? I keep seeing cars being sold out of there.”

      There’s a dealer down there who posts oversaturated photos which mask problems with the paint/body. He also lies about mileage.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Cassidy

    Of course the seller knows what they have, he’s a rare car dealer! I wonder if the nephew of the original owner knew what he had before selling it to the dealer

    Like 0
  7. Avatar socaljoe

    And the award for most interesting from and rear windscreen goes to…..

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bruce E

      I agree ! I’d hate to have to replace either one !!! ( cost wise, or labor wise…)

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Jason Houston

    Few sellers ever know they’re giving away the farm to a dealer.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Dean

    Beautiful condition for its age, but I’m going to call BS on the mileage claim. I don’t think 15,000 odd miles would lead to the kind of interior wear evident on the floor below the gas pedal, the steering wheel, or the trim area around the speedometer. And I suspect the engine compartment has been “freshened” considerably – check out the oily gunk where the steering column goes through the firewall.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar krash

    Nice car….but….Lakeside AGAIN..?….

    Like 0
  11. Avatar MountainMan

    Had a 4 door 1960 Merc, they were available with a 352ci V8 as one of the engine options. Lots of car, mine had a 351 replacing the original 352 after top end failure…chrome wheels and baby moons and original interior. It was the montery and the montclair that designated the trim level. I never knew which mine was because it had been repainted and some of the side trim came to me in boxes. These have always been pricey (too me) since I have followed values when I had one. My cousins hubby had the car in his family since new. When they needed a little cash i bought it for $2,000 in 1996. I have owned all sorts of odd balls but that car got more “what is it” than any other i have owned. I don’t think I had ever seen one before when the chance to buy mine came along so for what I thought was cheap I had to have it….wish i still did.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Tundra/BMW Guy

    I was wondering if/when someone was going to call foul on the mileage?!?! Dean, glad I am not the only one seeing that as an issue! As soon as I saw the hole worn through the heavy duty rubber part of the carpet, is when I started thinking that something was not right! Oh, well, used car dealer, what do you expect?

    Like 0
  13. Avatar 64 bonneville

    This is the most bottom of the line basic Mercury you could buy in 1960. The only option being the heater/defroster. 312 was the base engine as Ford family did not allow” a 6 cylinder to be available in a car designed to compete with Buick and Pontiac. I strongly feel that at least 1 number has been dropped from the front of the mileage claim. The discoloration around the chrome plated plastic trim on the speedometer is a dead giveaway. This car, according to my own ranking is a high #3 or a very low #2, but it is not a “survivor” due to the engine having been “resealed”, besides the correct engine paint color would not be black. Kanter Brothers carry engine paints back to the late teens, and this color doesn’t show up for 1960 Mercury engine colors.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar piper62j

    It’s nice and appears to be all original.. Nice car.. I’m surprised at the seat-backs condition. Looks like the vinyl has been pulled back or stretched or something odd..

    However, it’s a great machine and already sold.. It’s possible it was only driven a few miles because it has no AC.. Especially in Florida.. Lakeland is not far from me and thankfully they don’t salt the roads in winter down there.. LOL

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Jason Houston

    David G wrote,

    “What about the 60 Comet, wasn’t that a six? (Also a car ‘supposed to be’ the new ‘small Edsel’ i believe…)”

    Jason replied,

    The Comet, although marketed by Lincoln-Mercury dealers, was a stand-alone nameplate until 1962, when it became badged as the Mercury Comet. So, technically, the Comet (which came only as a 6 cylinder) cannot be counted as the first Mercury with a six.

    The Comet was also scheduled to become the new, downsized 1961 Edsel, until clearer thinking prevailed at the L-M Division and it debuted as a luxury compact, rather than risking more money on another losing brand.

    Hope this helps.

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Jefferson Brown

    My dad bought one of these new. It had a 430 in it…like some Lincolns and T-Birds. Loved the car, hit a freight train with it. Far more damage done to the train than the car. My father was tossed out of the wreck and landed in a field somehow. The nearly new car wedged under one of the locomotives and lit up, engulfing it, too.

    Like 0

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