I’ve always believed that the 1950s was the golden era of automotive design and production. Manufacturers spent the post-war years building lightly restyled versions of the cars sold in early 1942, but the 1950s saw a production explosion as companies fought to meet pent-up demand. It was the decade that gave the motoring world the Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Corvette, and 1955 was the year Mercury released its new Montclair range. Our feature car is from that year, and its presentation can best be described as stunning. This is courtesy of a recent rotisserie restoration where no aspect of the vehicle escaped the restorer’s attention. It needs a new home, so the seller listed it here on eBay in Miami, Florida. They set the BIN at $64,900, but interested parties could try their luck by making an offer. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D, who has used his finely tuned radar to spot this classic.
This Montclair is stunning in its Code 65 combination of Carmen Red and Alaska White. This is unsurprising since its owner recently completed a rotisserie restoration. The paint shines magnificently, while the panels are laser straight. The gaps are as tight and consistent as you could hope to find on any car of this vintage, reflecting an eye for detail in the restoration process. There are no rust issues, which was probably helped by the vehicle spending its life in California. This Mercury’s long and low lines are accentuated by the inclusion of fender skirts that add to its classy appearance. The trim sparkles as beautifully as the paint, the tinted glass is flawless, and the wide whitewall tires add a perfect finishing touch to a restoration that cost the owner a cool and verifiable $70,000.
Anyone walking into their local Mercury dealership in 1955 received a 292ci Y-Block V8 under the hood of their new Montclair. This V8 produced 185hp in vehicles ordered with a manual transmission. However, because the original owner ordered this car with the three-speed Merc-O-Matic, the output jumped to 195hp. Adding to the effortless driving experience is the inclusion of power steering and power brakes. Although not considered a high-performance model, this Montclair’s ability to cover the ¼ mile in 18.2 seconds before winding its way to 105mph was considered impressive by the standards of the day. The presentation of the engine bay is unsurprising, considering this car’s recent history. There is no information on how it runs or drives, but it is fair to expect the news to be positive.
Cars from the 1950s typically possessed the “wow” factor and nowhere is this more apparent than with this Mercury’s interior. The Carmen Red and Alaska White paint continues onto the steel surfaces, with the Red, White, and Black vinyl upholstery adding a perfect complement. The interior is in as-new condition, with no wear or faults. Helping it stand out are the White Deluxe wheel, power windows, a power front seat, an AM radio, and a clock. Slipping behind the wheel would be like rewinding the clock to 1955, and watching the 21st-century rush by frantically would be a pleasant way to occupy some spare time.
When Mercury released the Montclair in 1955, it probably didn’t envisage the sales success it proved to be. Out of a sales total of 329,808 vehicles in that year, an impressive 104,667 were Montclairs. The Hardtop proved the most popular, with 71,588 buyers parking one in their garage. This one is stunning, and while it is hardly cheap, the price is appropriate in the current market. It is also worth remembering the money the owner plowed into their restoration because they will not recoup that outlay. However, potential buyers will benefit from their attention to detail. I suspect the Montclair will head to a new home relatively soon. I hope it is with one of our readers because that ensures it will remain beautifully preserved for many years.
This is almost as elegant as a same year Packard; squint your eyes, you’ll see the resemblance.
More servicable with FoMoCo and Rotunda parts. Real wire wheels from a Thunderbird would look right on this example.
I wonder what difference the base price/options/final price would be on this Mercury vs. a similar Packard?
A ’56 El Morroco doesn’t look this good…
Now this looks like a car that should wear fender skirts. It’s elegant yet the hardtop gives it the open almost sporty look. Classy yet refined, Mercury what a division it was!
Regardless of the restoration, which in this case is exemplary, the model is very happy.
The color combination is a perfect match.
And beautiful from every angle.
I’ve always liked mid-50’s Mercs, and one nice thing about the 292 or 312. Put a pair of glass packs on them with straight pipes and they make wonderful music.
No A/C and living in Florida? Big deal breaker.
That can always be added & definately not a deal breaker!
I would take this gorgeous machine with or without a/c. I prefer the windows down anyway on a car like this.
My cousing had a spanking new 56 model with the continental kit which I hated but the car itself was awsome at the time.
Nice write up as always, Adam. I’ve always loved the ’55 (and ’56) Mercury’s which are under-appreciated cars. Great, colorful styling inside and out.
This brings back memories. My dad traded in his ’51 Pontiac 4 dr sedan for the new 1955 Mercury Monterey 4 dr sedan in Glamour Tan (Sunglaze).one of the ugliest colors you could put on anything. Even after it was washed the paint looked dull/faded. At least it had PS, with the Merc-O-Matic transmission, and was a good family car the five years we had it.
My Dad’s ‘54 Monterey was Persimmons with a Cream top. It had standard tuck & roll seats and a little box under the passenger’s side dash, which when you opened the little metal door, heat would come out.
In some ways not a “great” car…but for what it is, in the era, it’s a very nice ride… rare enough, and unique car/color, etc. It’s worth buying by someone who can keep, cruise/show, and enjoy it for years to come. Nice ride…
Crazy bout a Mercury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3iB90VfZrA
For the level of the market this car is selling for, the buyer will most likely take it to his go to shop and a vintage air unit installed, and drive it maybe once a month.
Adam the MercOMatic was/is a 2 speed transmission in 1955 nobody had a 3sp automatic transmission
The Merc o matic and the cruise o matic were three speed transmissions. To access first gear you had to select L, or floor the gas pedal while in D. In normal operation, they started in 2nd, leading many people, including many experts, to think they were two speeds.
Later on, Ford added the D1 and D2 positions. D1 started inn first and D2 started in second, which was handy on slick streets.
Classy restoration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dad had a red and black with cont. kit. he traded it for a travel trailer to someone in amarillo tx. it was always promised to me, somehow it never happened. i a 83 still looking for my 55 merc.
Always hardtop, always manual.
maybe some one in amarillo has seen dads 55 merc. red black cont. kit