The Monterey was Mercury’s entry-point full-size product throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and into the 1970s. Station wagons were part of the mix, but after 1951 the true wood-bodied versions (aka “woodies”) were a thing of the past. Too expensive to continue producing in smaller numbers, Mercury (and the rest of the industry) went with steel-bodied wagons with faux wood paneling on the sides and rear. The seller has what appears to be a stellar ’53 Monterey with a rebuilt engine and lots of cosmetic improvements. Located in Lincoln, California, this near-woodie is available here on craigslist for $29,950 OBO.
All of FOMOCO’s products got a styling refresh in 1952, the second after World War II. So, changes were few going into 1953. Mercury still offered the 255 cubic inch “flathead” V8 (16 more CI than Ford’s). The seller offers a 9-passenger Monterey (I thought only 6-passenger models were sold) and only three photos. This is a shame as this looks like a beautiful vehicle that deserves plenty of glamour shots, especially from a self-professed 40-year woodie club member.
The rebuilt V8 is paired with a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission with overdrive. And the paint, chrome, and “woodish” panels on the sides have all been redone. The interior may be newer as well. The mileage isn’t indicated as the odometer stopped working at “43” (43,000?). This Merc has dual exhaust with headers, but alas no engine compartment photos either. This could be quite a catch for someone in the market for a post-woodie vintage wagon. Thanks for this fab tip, “numskal”,
Russ, this would be the last year of real wood, albeit it’s only the perimeter “frame” that’s genuine maple.
I’d love to own this one, and the $$ seems reasonable.
Good luck to buyer and seller!
this was not real wood last year for real wood in both Ford and Mercury was 1951 in 1952 they were all medal with fake wood
The lighter colored wood surrounding the di-noc is real maple.
Really nice car .I wonder if it was converted to 12 volts .Is it possible to install ac on a car like this ?I also would like to see a lot more pics as I might bid on this .
Ed, I think people make a bigger deal out of 12 volts then they should. However, if you had A/C , it would be best if, it were 12 volts, I have seen A/C on many Flathead Fords and its not a problem unless the Flathead has been highly modified, big bore, stroked and multiply carburetors and high compression heads. It looks like a good car, but I would want more pictures and probably want to see it in person!
About 12 volts: I had a 1955 Ford (6v) y-block while at the same time there was a 1956 Ford (12v) in the household. Same engine. The 6v engine was a beast to start in the winter in New England, it cranked so slow. The 12v car never noticed the cold.
OH MAN do I love this, WOW, MAYBE some day I’ll be back in funds again,
“Entry point full-size model throughout the fifties”? The Monterey was the flagship model from 1950 through 1954, ahead of the Custom. The Montclair appeared in 1955, with the Monterey beneath it.
I THOUGHT that the Monterey was the “luxury” Mercury! — Thanks, Robert Stine, for noting that! I had a 1946 Ford V-8 Super Deluxe flathead for 27 years as a daily driver — and Adirondack winters are a good match for New England. When it was 20° below zero, my Ford started on 6 volts with no problem at all. I agree that it cranked slowly — and some told me, “You need a battery!” — as it kicked-over and started (of course, you had to pull the choke all of the way out, then gradually push it back in, a little at a time, as the idle dictated, until it had warmed-up). Maybe, by 1953, Mercury had an automatic choke — but my Ford didn’t. I always loved the ’53 Mercury and dreamed of owning one. But when I test-drove a 1953 Ford Customline (same essential body), the hood was too high, relative to the front seat, for me to see out ahead of me, no matter how I adjusted the seat. I needed to RAISE it about two inches, and there was no way to DO that. Frustrating.
I believe a 1953 merc still had a manual choke
1951 was the last year for the manual choke. 1952 and on were automatic.
Manual chokes are cool. Your lawnmower and snowblower usually have them, so you know already how to operate one. I’d love to own this Mercury!