Winter can be a boring part of the year. Enthusiasts tend to leave their beloved classic cars tucked away in a warm garage to avoid the rigors of rain, snow, and salt. Most will find small maintenance tasks to occupy their spare time, but those jobs can only go so far before the owner starts covering old ground. That’s where cars like this 1956 Mercury Montclair might provide a welcome diversion. It is solid and roadworthy, making it the perfect classic cruiser for the upcoming warmer months. Once the weather turns cold, it would make a rewarding restoration project to tackle in a home workshop. Located in Covina, California, the Montclair is listed for sale here on Craigslist. With a sale price of $16,500, it represents an affordable project option. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting another wonderful gem for us.

The First Generation Montclair emerged in 1955, remaining in production for two model years. Our feature car is from the second year, and it appears to be a diamond in the rough. Its paint combination of Glamour Tan and Classic White would have been striking in 1956, but it looks tired and baked today. Don’t let its appearance deceive you because this is a solid survivor. The seller describes it as 99% rust-free, and there are no major problems visible in the supplied photos. We don’t receive any underside shots, but the only visible issue is a small area on the driver’s side rear quarter panel just behind the rear wheel arch. A simple patch would be the answer and is the type of repair that the buyer could tackle in a weekend. The panels look exceptionally straight, and any defects could easily be rendered a memory before the panels receive a fresh coat of paint. The chrome trim is missing from the lower edge of the hood and below the headlamps, but the rest looks restorable. The glass seems in good order, and the overall first impression is extremely positive.

Montclair buyers in 1956 received their shiny new toy equipped with a 312ci Y-Block V8. While a single engine was the order of the day, there were a few transmission choices. This car’s original owner selected the three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission, and with 210hp under the driver’s right foot, the 3,755lb Mercury was a surprisingly energetic performer. A ¼-mile ET of 17.8 seconds may not sound impressive today, but it looked pretty good in 1956. Apart from some cosmetic enhancements, it appears that the Montclair is mechanically original and unmolested. For potential buyers, there’s plenty to like. The seller indicates that the car is in good health by suggesting that the buyer can drive this classic home. Did someone say “road trip?” I can think of no better way to bond with a car like this than by clocking a few hundred miles behind the wheel.

Color coordination rules with this Mercury. The interior vinyl trim mirrors the exterior paint, and while it has some flaws, it remains acceptable for a survivor-grade car. The front seat exhibits some wear, but primarily on the piping. There is also a tiny patch on the top outer edge of the driver’s seat. The remaining upholstered surfaces look okay, meaning that a professional may be able to successfully address the shortcomings without resorting to a retrim. The wheel has several large cracks, but several companies produce excellent epoxy repair kits that can allow the buyer to return the wheel to a factory-fresh state. The limited photos make it difficult to assess the interior condition further, but what we see looks pleasingly positive for potential buyers.

When it comes to all things automotive, you will often hear people (myself included) lament about how they don’t make them like they used to. This is undoubtedly true, and in both a good and bad way. Many cars that emerged during the 1950s were produced when manufacturer knowledge about rust prevention was sadly lacking, meaning that they tended to dissolve like a soluble aspirin. Those that have survived demonstrate resilience, suggesting that they will continue to do so for decades. When you walk into a new car showroom today, you are confronted by vehicles that are not as prone to rust but are disposable items with little genuine character. Try to imagine how many will survive to ply our roads in 2086, with enthusiasts aspiring to own them. I’d be willing to bet that it will be a mere handful. This 1956 Mercury Montclair has survived largely unscathed for the same period, making it worthy of restoration.