Wow, coulda used some sunscreen! This 1962 Mercury Meteor has seen more than its fair share of time soaking up the UV rays in Perris, California. Though it looks like it has been left for dead, looks can be deceiving, and the seller of this celestial named Mercury has put some time and effort into making it viable. It can be found here on craigslist, where it’s available for $5,200, obo. Barney gets the credit for this tip!

Well, if you name a car brand after a planet, I guess it’s not unusual to find models with names like Comet and Meteor in the lineup. Actually, the Meteor name had made on-and-off appearances at Ford Motor Company in the past, mostly on Canadian Mercury models, but in ’62 was applied to a new Mercury intermediate model; it was the complement to Ford’s new downsized Fairlane. Body styles were two and four-door sedans, spread across standard and Custom trim levels. Total Meteor production was either 68.9K units or 51.7 – I pulled two different volumes from two different sources, and it’s this standard Meteor trim, such as our subject car, that is where the variance occurs. Anyway, today’s find is intact and appears to be complete. The seller adds, “very original car that was left outside to cook in the sun. Surface rust only, no rust holes or rot anywhere.” All of the trim looks like it’s in place, though the bumpers have seen better days. I think it’s remarkable that all four original wheelcovers are still attached.

Besides being the first of Mercury’s intermediates, this Meteor is powered by the first of that famous FoMoCo Windsor series of engines, specifically a 145 gross HP, 221 CI V8. The rear wheel connection is made via a Merc-O-Matic two-speed automatic transmission. The seller mentions, “Had the heads rebuilt with new guides and valves…Runs, drives, and stops decent.” He further claims, “Had a truckload of new and NOS parts thrown at it in the past 2 years,” including a boiled-out radiator and all new brakes. The mileage recording is 95K, but there is no claim of authenticity.

The interior’s condition is about what one would expect. That heavy sunburn has dissolved the dashpad, cracked the steering wheel, and likely destroyed the seating upholstery – it’s tough to tell with certainty as it’s covered over by what looks like a quilt or tablecloth. There’s just the one image, and it’s not too comprehensive, though the very glittery instrument panel still shows well.

OK, it’s now “What to do with it?” time. The seller suggests, “Would easily be a weekend cruiser or daily with little effort.” I suppose, though, a Mercury Meteor, and wearing these visuals, isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when I think about weekend cruiser fun factors. There is some viability here as it is a two-door body style and powered by a V8 engine. Still, I don’t know what I would do with it; how about you?