Though the 1960 Mercurys are just an evolution of last year’s cars, it is quite hard to guess at first sight. After General Motors unveiled its ground-breaking models in 1959, Mercury had to react and its own cars now seems lower and wider. Headlights are positioned lower on a simpler concave grille, while the large fins with triangular taillights are replaced by thinner fins and vertical lights housed in huge chrome pods that double as bumpers. The choice of models does not change, except for the “Country Cruiser” station wagons: down from five models in 1958, only two, both with four doors, are offered this year.
Mercury's 1960 range includes four lines: Mercury Monterey, Mercury Montclair, Mercury Park Lane and a line of station wagons that includes the Mercury Commuter and the Mercury Colony Park.
Mercury Monterey
Despite its important facelift, its V-8 engine and its good level of standard equipment, the Monterey’s prices have been reduced this year. This allows Mercury to claim that its cheapest full-size car is now more affordable that even the Chevrolet Impala or Plymouth Fury… and to take over the market segment freed by the failed Edsel.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.1-litre, 205 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: V-8, 6.3-litre, 280 hp; and V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door “Cruiser” hardtop coupe, four-door “Cruiser” hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.
Mercury Commuter
The Commuter is the station wagon version of the Monterey. The most popular automobile of its type in Mercury’s range, it is now limited to a single version after the disappearance of the two-door hardtop variant.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.1-litre, 205 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: V-8, 6.3-litre, 280 hp; and V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door “Country Cruiser” hardtop station wagon.
Mercury Montclair
The Montclair is again Mercury’s mid-range model. Standard equipment principally includes an even larger V-8 engine this year coupled to an automatic transmission. The chrome strips system of model identification is carried over from last year, though these pieces of metal (three for the Montclair, none for the lesser Monterey) have moved to the lower part of the bodies, right in front of the rear wheel arches.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door “Cruiser” hardtop coupe, four-door “Cruiser” hardtop sedan.
Mercury Colony Park
Easily identified by its side woodgrain panels, the Colony Park enjoys fair sales after the simpler Voyager has retired. This model receives six chrome strips on the lower part of its bodies.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door “Country Cruiser” hardtop station wagon.
Mercury Park Lane
The Park Lane remains Mercury’s flagship, though it is now built on the same chassis as the Monterey and the Montclair instead of an extended version. In return for this sacrifice, its price is lowered this year. Its equipment still includes power steering, power brakes, a Multi-Drive automatic transmission and rear fender skirts. The Park Lane receives five chrome strips on its lower body along with wide chrome rocker panels.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door “Cruiser” hardtop coupe, four-door “Cruiser” hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.
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Mercury's 1960 range includes four lines: Mercury Monterey, Mercury Montclair, Mercury Park Lane and a line of station wagons that includes the Mercury Commuter and the Mercury Colony Park.
Mercury Monterey
Despite its important facelift, its V-8 engine and its good level of standard equipment, the Monterey’s prices have been reduced this year. This allows Mercury to claim that its cheapest full-size car is now more affordable that even the Chevrolet Impala or Plymouth Fury… and to take over the market segment freed by the failed Edsel.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.1-litre, 205 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: V-8, 6.3-litre, 280 hp; and V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door “Cruiser” hardtop coupe, four-door “Cruiser” hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.
Mercury Commuter
The Commuter is the station wagon version of the Monterey. The most popular automobile of its type in Mercury’s range, it is now limited to a single version after the disappearance of the two-door hardtop variant.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.1-litre, 205 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: V-8, 6.3-litre, 280 hp; and V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door “Country Cruiser” hardtop station wagon.
Mercury Montclair
The Montclair is again Mercury’s mid-range model. Standard equipment principally includes an even larger V-8 engine this year coupled to an automatic transmission. The chrome strips system of model identification is carried over from last year, though these pieces of metal (three for the Montclair, none for the lesser Monterey) have moved to the lower part of the bodies, right in front of the rear wheel arches.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door “Cruiser” hardtop coupe, four-door “Cruiser” hardtop sedan.
Mercury Colony Park
Easily identified by its side woodgrain panels, the Colony Park enjoys fair sales after the simpler Voyager has retired. This model receives six chrome strips on the lower part of its bodies.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door “Country Cruiser” hardtop station wagon.
Mercury Park Lane
The Park Lane remains Mercury’s flagship, though it is now built on the same chassis as the Monterey and the Montclair instead of an extended version. In return for this sacrifice, its price is lowered this year. Its equipment still includes power steering, power brakes, a Multi-Drive automatic transmission and rear fender skirts. The Park Lane receives five chrome strips on its lower body along with wide chrome rocker panels.
● Introduction: 1958. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 7.0-litre, 310 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels, with servo. Length: 557 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door “Cruiser” hardtop coupe, four-door “Cruiser” hardtop sedan, 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: 1959 – 1960
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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