After three years, the full-size Mercurys retire and give way to a new generation of automobiles, longer, lower and even more agressively styled than their predecessors, though they retain some cues from them. The wheelbase of the new cars is extended - that's the first time since 1941 - and their V-8 engines are larger. A third line is added at the top of the range, the Montclair, which reduces the Monterey to a mid-range model.
Mercury's 1955 range includes three lines: Mercury Custom, Mercury Monterey and Mercury Montclair.
Mercury Custom
This year, Mercury restyles its entire line of models, though they still ride on the same platform as before. They now stand closer to the road, and appear longer and wider. Overall, their style is more aggressive, and features hooded headlights above a massive grille-bumper element, and a panoramic or “wraparound” windshield. Engines are also larger and more powerful, an improvement happily balanced by more powerful brakes. Air conditioning becomes optional throughout Mercury’s range.
● Introduction: 1954. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.8-litre, 188 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: V-8, 4.8-litre, 198 hp (automatic only). 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: 524 cm (all models except wagon), 512 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door “Sport” hardtop coupe, four-door station wagon.
Mercury Monterey
The Monterey adds as standard features a two-tone paint and fender skirts, but loses its striking Sun Valley hardtop coupe, now transferred to the new Montclair series.
● Introduction: 1954. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.8-litre, 188 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: V-8, 4.8-litre, 198 hp (automatic only). 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: 524 cm (all models except wagon), 512 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door “Sport” hardtop coupe, four-door station wagon.
Mercury Montclair
The new Montclair is Mercury’s most prestigious car. Nevertheless, it mostly differentiates itself from the company’s other vehicles by the generous quantity of chrome that is applied to it. Interestingly, its suspension is also set differently from other Mercurys, in order to make it appear lower, hence more appealing. It also features the 198 hp engine with dual exhausts as standard equipment. Again fitted with a plexiglas roof, the Sun Valley sees its sales plummet after gaining the reputation of being extremely uncomfortable in hot weather.
● Introduction: 1954. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.8-litre, 198 hp. 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: 524 cm (all models except wagon), 512 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door “Sport” hardtop coupe, two-door “Sun Valley” hardtop coupe, two-door convertible coupe.
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Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1955 – 1956
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Mercury's 1955 range includes three lines: Mercury Custom, Mercury Monterey and Mercury Montclair.
Mercury Custom
This year, Mercury restyles its entire line of models, though they still ride on the same platform as before. They now stand closer to the road, and appear longer and wider. Overall, their style is more aggressive, and features hooded headlights above a massive grille-bumper element, and a panoramic or “wraparound” windshield. Engines are also larger and more powerful, an improvement happily balanced by more powerful brakes. Air conditioning becomes optional throughout Mercury’s range.
● Introduction: 1954. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.8-litre, 188 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: V-8, 4.8-litre, 198 hp (automatic only). 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: 524 cm (all models except wagon), 512 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door “Sport” hardtop coupe, four-door station wagon.
Mercury Monterey
The Monterey adds as standard features a two-tone paint and fender skirts, but loses its striking Sun Valley hardtop coupe, now transferred to the new Montclair series.
● Introduction: 1954. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.8-litre, 188 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: V-8, 4.8-litre, 198 hp (automatic only). 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: 524 cm (all models except wagon), 512 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door “Sport” hardtop coupe, four-door station wagon.
Mercury Montclair
The new Montclair is Mercury’s most prestigious car. Nevertheless, it mostly differentiates itself from the company’s other vehicles by the generous quantity of chrome that is applied to it. Interestingly, its suspension is also set differently from other Mercurys, in order to make it appear lower, hence more appealing. It also features the 198 hp engine with dual exhausts as standard equipment. Again fitted with a plexiglas roof, the Sun Valley sees its sales plummet after gaining the reputation of being extremely uncomfortable in hot weather.
● Introduction: 1954. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.8-litre, 198 hp. 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: 524 cm (all models except wagon), 512 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door “Sport” hardtop coupe, two-door “Sun Valley” hardtop coupe, two-door convertible coupe.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1955 – 1956
Click here to return to a list of all Mercury vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all brands already presented.
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