Featured is the 1955 Mercury Montclair Hardtop Coupe, a great looking automobile offering buyers both style and performance in one unforgettable package. The Mercury Montclair, a full size luxury car, is a stylish and luxurious car produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1955 to 1960.
Ford Motor Company’s Mercury Division had only offered just one model for years after it’s inception. That was the Mercury 8. As the years progressed, Mercury then in 1952 unveiled the Mercury Monterey allowing buyers two models to choose from. Then for the 1955 model year Mercury unveiled the Montclair.
The New Mercury Montclair
The full size and top of the line Montclair was Mercury’s newest model, and with a height of 58.6 inches, it was marketed as the lowest sedan you could buy. As an example, the 1955 Ford Crown Victoria has a height of 60.1 inches. The coupe shared the Ford Crown Victoria body in general with modifications and included the glass top Sun Valley, of which only 1,787 were made. Body styles also included a four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, and a convertible.
1955 Mercury Montclair Styling
For the 1955 model year all Mercurys were received new exterior styling. The 1955 Mercury’s were a big departure from the warmed over Ford type styling promoted earlier in the decade. There was a time early on when Mercury’s were like Ford’s but with more luxury appointments.
The 1955 Montclair came with classic two tone paint. The new bright colors introduced in 1955 were a big positive. The chrome accents along with it’s distinctive chrome grille, sweeping fender lines, and wrap around windshield makes this model a beautiful classic.
Standard was full carpeting, bright metal trim on door panels and surrounding the windows. Options included power steering, brakes, electric windows, electric seat adjustment, factory air conditioning and the Merc-O-Matic transmission.
The Mercury Montclair was Mercury’s top of the line model for both 1955 and 1956 then was changed to a mid size model for 1957. The Turnpike Cruiser became Mercury’s top of the line model for 1957 and 1958. There were 23,268 Turnpike Cruisers were produced over it’s two year run.
1955 Mercury Montclair Specifications
The 1955 Montclair was powered by a 292 cubic inch Y-Block V-8 with a four barrel carburetor delivering 198 HP. This was the Montclair V-8. There was a standard 292 that Mercury offered in 1955 with 188 HP. Mercury would offer a 312 cubic inch V-8 for 1956 with configurations for 225 and 235 HP.
Transmissions include a three speed manual, a four speed overdrive manual and a three speed Merc-O-Matic automatic.
Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums.
Front suspension is a torsional stabilizer bar and rear is semi elliptic long leaf springs.
Total 1955 Mercury Montclair production totaled 104,500 units. The largest produced model was the two door hardtop coupe featured here at 71,500 units.
Dimensions include a 119.0 inch wheelbase, 206.3 inch overall outside length, 58.6 inch height. 76.4 inch width. Curb weight 3,500 lbs.
New car price was about $2,750.
Related Auto Museum Online articles..
1951 Mercury Eight Convertible
1964 Mercury Park Lane Marauder
Reference for this article and an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of Mercury automobiles is….55 Years of Mercury : The Complete History of the Big “M” by author John Gunnell..Mercury Automobiles: 1939-1959 Photos Archive by James Maloney..Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide.
When you see a 1955 Mercury Montclair you’re looking at a piece of automotive history. On August 8, 1938 the Ford Motor Company registered the trademark for Mercury. Mercury produced their first automobile for the 1939 model year and continued until 2011 when the brand was discontinued. During that time Mercury produced some great cars with excellent styling. The models were very popular and gave the Ford Motor Company an upscale model. As a side note, the Mercury came about by the urging of Edsel Ford in 1938 in spite of the fact that Henry Ford didn’t believe he needed a new brand.
These classic cars are popular with collectors. They have just the right amount of styling flair for the period and the original engines are powerful. In the case of the Mercury Montclair, they are rare (produced for only two years), have head turning styling and offer terrific performance. The brand offered a blend of luxury and performance.
Montclair models that have been meticulously restored and highly original Garner excellent auction prices. Examples such as these have sold in the $60,000 to 100,000 plus range.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)