This is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd! As the seller notes, there are a lot of more mainstream ’57 cars out there, such as Fords and Chevrolets, but very few of these spectacular Mercurys. This Monterey is listed for sale here on craigslist for $7,500 and is located in Avinger, Texas. This car has the 312 V8, making 290 horsepower in this application. It also has power steering, power disc brakes, and, unusually, air conditioning. There are some rusty parts around the edges, but as a whole the body seems relatively solid. I’m not sure I’d leave the new custom wheels; I think steel wheels and small caps would be ideal for this car, but that’s me.
As you can see from this ad, Mercury liked this color scheme too. Just look at that “Dream-Car Design!” Is this pink and white cruiser your dream car?
Everyone else thinks the 1950 Merc is the ultimate but I’ve ALWAYS been in love with the 1957-58 design! ^_^
Yes, an original ’57 Merc with disc brakes is a rare beast indeed! I’d bet the factory produced…nearly one!
Perhaps I’m too cynical, but the seller’s relentless hype makes me wonder what defect is going to surface after sale. I’d certainly want to do some major rebuilding on a car that has sat for 30 years; have never seen a car that fired right up and was safely drivable after that long a nap.
And, Jamie, if this were mine I’d acquire stock wheels/hubcaps and period-correct whitewalls for it. After I made sure the brakes worked, anyway….
Ray, I concur :-). Good choices!
I think the 290 horsepower is extremely optimistic for an old Y block 312, unless the engine has been modified.
The standard 312 in 1957 was 270 H.P. or 285 H.P. with the special cam for the thunderbirds. If you added the supercharger, you could reach 300 H.P.
However, this looks more like a 292 “Y” block to me.
High price and too much hype for a car that needs a lot of restoration work…
4 door Mercs are not ‘worth’ restoring. Nice 4drs are often available at under 10k. My Dad ordered a new one with a 312, optional 4headlights , in late ’56, and it was my ‘hot date’ and prom car. This is my ’57, same color as his. It has first-year-in-US optional Quad Headlights …also has the Lincoln 368 cu” engine and Tpke Cruiser Skirts… A California car with NO rust and all original interior, it belonged to a deceased collector and has lots of old documentation….. Since turning 73, I’ll likely sell it one day… and 10 k would probably make me happy.
Pictured here at a local car show
another, with the Lincoln motor
factory interior
Dave, let’s see a shot of the quad headlights.
The manual box makes this car worth more than most. But the overriding question is, if he got his VW and his Jeep running with an afternoon’s work, after sitting for 20-30 years, why didn’t he do that with this one?
well the 3 speed IS desirable in the 2dr post Monterey……………… but in this car it is of not much help..
This car has the 312 Y Block motor …but the seller is quoting the 290 horsepower of the Lincoln 368 ( the Turnpike Cruiser engine for INDY Pace Car)…. the ONLY optional motor offered by Mercury…which is the motor in my car. Maybe the 312 has T’Bird valve covers, but it was not an available engine, and it is unlikely anyone would have swapped in another Y Block when the Lincoln was the way to go back then, especially being a 4 dr hardtop, the heaviest of the models. Today, the best swap is to the AOD transmission.
Dave, I’m interested in your murc. That is two door and blue. dsloan60@comcast.net is my email. Please let me know if you want to sale. Thanks
Dwain Sloan.
@Dwain Sloan Yes, blue/white………I do plan to sell it later this year, but it is a Californian 4dr Montclair, w/ optional quad headlights ,Lincoln 368, very nice original interior exc glove box pad, and T’Pike cruiser skirts…… low mileage is legit.