Terminology in the old car biz abounds. Some of it is accurate, some is a stretch, and some is downright misleading. Don’t get me wrong, finding a ’54 Mercury Monterey, as opposed to the more commonly discovered Ford Custom, is a pleasant surprise. But “nice survivor” as this one’s described? That misses the mark any way that you cut it. Now, that said, this Merc does, in fact, have quite a bit going for it so let’s delve in and see it all. Located in Clear Lake, Texas, this modified Merc is available, here on craigslist for $7,500.
Mercury offered, essentially, two trim levels in ’54, the Monterey, as this example is claimed to be, and the lower echelon Custom. Body styles included two-door hardtops and a convertible, along with a four-door sedan, a two-door Custom sedan, and station wagons at both trim levels. Mercury did pretty well in ’54, knocking out 259K units, putting them in seventh place in the production competition. As for the Monterey two-door hardtop, output reached just shy of 80K copies or 31% of the total. That’s a pretty popular model though few seem to have survived as they’re not commonly found today.
The seller of this hardtop states that it has been, “frenched, shaved, and decked” and that conjures up all sorts of images. The seller suggests that it will make a nice custom or classic so it is a work in progress. From what can be seen, it looks like it’s off to a good start. We’re also told that the trim and glass are mostly original and “nice”.
No Y-block for this Monterey, it’s featuring a 1989 vintage 302 CI “Windsor” V8 engine synched up to an AOD automatic transmission. There’s no word as to how it runs but it looks pretty complete. It’s obviously wearing an open-element air cleaner but not much else is discernable.
As for the interior, it’s looking shaky. It actually looks pretty original though the red and black vinyl bench doesn’t really go with what was likely a yellow exterior. It’s no surprise really as any car that has been “frenched, shaved, and decked” probably isn’t going to retain its stock original innards. Note the clutch pedal, this Merc originally was sportin’ a manual gearbox.
A good start (not a survivor) is how I’d label this mid-century upscale Ford. No, it’s really a Mercury from the days when a Mercury wasn’t a Ford. Now, for picking up a project like this while it’s far from completed? It’s like changing horses in the middle of a stream and I’m too timid, automotively to want to take something like this on, but, how about you?
What the heck is that post from Anne on every article today? That looks like some kind of scam needs to go or at least explain it?
As far as the Merc could make a cool rod but if putting in a modern drivetrain I think I have kept it a 3 peddle with a tremec 5 speed
Not sure, as a member, we don’t get any of that. Someone mentioned too, only 4 posts a day, as a member, we get “early access”, and sometimes a dozen posts a day. I see your name a lot, and if I may urge you to become a member. Heck, we spend more on crappy cheese every week, and to not be bombarded by ads, which I realize, is a necessary evil and can easily contain scams( see new disclaimer above), almost makes it worth it itself.
I had a nice 54 Monterey 2dr hdtp back in the early 70s, all original. This one’s a hack job, what a shame
In another of my “never know what I’ll see on my morning bike rides in my little town” posts, the other day, I went down an alley, and saw a ’54 Mercury “GLASS TOP” 2 door, that has been sitting a LOOOOONG time. It is complete, complete with years of goo in an attempt to stop leaks from the glass top, and a very rare find indeed. Like all these, the fun obviously stopped here, and pretty tough to pick up the ball on these. I see a day not far off, these “projects” will go for pennies on the dollar, if that.