Featured here is a very good looking 1955 Mercury Montclair Convertible. The styling on this automobile is an eye catcher and a fine representative of the mid 1950’s. Mercury designers showed with the Montclair model what just the right amount of chrome and distinctive styling curves could do. The full size Montclair featured the very best Mercury had to offer in 1955.
The Montclair was produced from 1955 to 1957 by the Mercury Division of the Ford Motor Company, by the new Lincoln-Edsel-Mercury Division, from 1958 to 1960 and by the Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1964 to 1969.
The Mercury Brand
The Mercury came about in the late 1930’s because Ford needed a medium priced vehicle to keep up with what was happening with it’s competitors, GM and Chrysler. The Ford Motor Company needed the Mercury to bridge the price gap between it’s Ford vehicles and Lincoln’s. Although it was supposed to be a mid priced car, the Mercury was marketed as a semi-luxury vehicle albeit not a luxurious Lincoln.
As an example of the laddering concept used by automakers at the time of Mercury’s debut for the 1939 model year, General Motors had established a ladder of consumption, starting with Chevrolet and followed by Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac. In the case of Chrysler, they offered the buyer Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler.
The very first Mercury Eight on sale for the 1939 model year featured a Ford flathead V-8 delivering 95 HP. The engine for the first Mercury was upgraded from Ford’s 90 HP model. The 39 Mercury had a price of $900, about $200 more than a comparable Ford.
Mercury automobiles shared a common body shell with the Lincoln. The Mercury Montclair model was introduced in 1955 and was placed above the Monterey.
The Ford Motor Company discontinued the Mercury brand in 2010. Ford had sold some 21 million Mercury cars and light trucks from the brands inception in 1939 to it’s end.in 2010. Reasons for this of course were economics, the thinning out of the ladder concept and competitive pressures.
The 1955 Mercury Montclair
The Mercury Montclair had a distinctive design that placed it firmly in Mercury’s premium lineup. The Montclair is a good looking car with it’s stylish chrome and Montclair script. The Mercury Montclair received Motor Trend’s :”Car of the Year” award in 1955.
For 1955 Mercury cars were designed longer and lower. The new 1955 Mercury Montclair was offered in four styles which included Mercury’s only convertible. Mercury ended up selling about 11,000 of these fine looking 1955 convertibles.
1955 Mercury Montclair Specifications
Standard engine was a 292 cubic inch Y-Block V-8 putting out 198 HP.
Standard transmission was a three speed manual with a Merc-O-Matic automatic available. The Merc-O-Matic had made it’s debut in 1951, the same year that Ford-O-Matic was introduced for the Ford line.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Front suspension were independent coil springs with rear longitudinal leaf springs.
Dimensions include an overall length of 206.3 inches, width 76.4 inches, wheelbase 119.0 inches. Curb weight was about 3770 lbs.
Mercury produced 329,000 vehicles in 1955. Out of that amount Montclair production was 105,000 vehicles. Montclair Convertible production was just under 11,000 units.
New car base price for the 55 Mercury Montclair was about $2,450.
See Additional Auto Museum Online articles found on the links below…
Reference material for this article included…The Ford Motor Company Archives…Mercury Archives…automobilemag.com...thehenryford.org…
1955 Mercury Montclair Collector Car Popularity
Most mid 1950’s vehicles are quite popular with collectors and Mercury is no exception. The 1955 Mercury Montclair is a very good looking automobile with great styling and a luxury feel.
The 1955 Mercury redesign is felt to be one of the best of all automakers at that time, and as mentioned earlier, the Montclair received the “Car of the Year” award.
Fully restored and in showroom condition 1955 Mercury Montclair’s currently are valued in a range of about $40,000 to $70,000. The two most pricey models are the Convertible and Sun Valley 2 Door Hardtop. There were only about 1,800 Sun Valley’s produced for 1955 so the model is very rare.
As a side note, a 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser convertible Indianapolis 500 pace car brought a winning bid of $110,000 at a Barrett-Jackson auction.
More information regarding Mercury automobiles including classifieds, event notices and forums can be found at the International Mercury Owner’s Association. www.mercuryclub.com
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)