Tuesday, February 14, 2012

1954 Mercury Full-Sizes

The novelties of the 1954 Mercurys don't show: first of all, the whole range adopts a brand new V-8, replacing the old L-head unit. With squarer dimensions, overhead valves and a four-barrel carburettor, the new block, though of similar displacement as its predecessor, can boast a 30% increase in power. Secondly, the front suspension is entirely redesigned, and Mercury's ads can emphasize an improvement in handling.

Mercury's 1954 range includes two lines: Mercury Custom, Mercury Monterey.


Mercury Custom
The Custom does not change much for 1954, apart from new taillights and a grille that is modestly updated. More impressive is the increase in power after the adoption of a new short-stroke, overhead-valve V-8.
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Introduction: 1951. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.2-litre, 162 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 514 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door “Sport” hardtop coupe.


Mercury Monterey
Most noticeable in this year’s upper range is the introduction of the Sun Valley hardtop coupe. Similar in concept to the Ford Crestline Skyliner, it sees the front part of its roof replaced by a panel of tinted plexiglas.
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Introduction: 1951. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.2-litre, 162 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, solid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 514 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, two-door “Sun Valley” hardtop coupe, two-door convertible coupe, four-door station wagon.


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