The Mercury Montclair was a full-size car series made over five generations in two periods, from 1955 to 1960 and again from 1964 to 1968. It usually sat above the Monterey as Mercury’s mid-range model.
Mercury Montclair at a glance
| Production | 1955–1960 and 1964–1968 |
|---|---|
| Position | mid-range, above the Monterey |
| Bodies | two- and four-door hardtops, four-door sedan, two-door convertible |
| 1955 engine | 292 cu in V8, 195 hp |
| 1956 engine | 312 cu in V8, 225 hp; 260 hp with two four-barrels |
| 1957 option | 368 cu in V8 from the Turnpike Cruiser, 290 hp |
| 1955 price | US$2,631 for the two-door hardtop coupé |
| 1955 output | 71,588 two-door hardtop coupés |
| Sun Valley | 1,787 built with a plexiglass roof panel |
| Replaced by | Mercury Monterey Custom for 1969 |
The article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia page on the Montclair.
History of the Mercury Montclair
A premium Mercury for 1955
For 1955 Mercury redesigned its range and added the Montclair as a premium sedan line above the Monterey. Alongside a four-door sedan with a different roofline from the Monterey, the Montclair was introduced as a two-door hardtop and a two-door convertible. A colour-contrast panel below the window line, usually matched to the roof, became its styling signature. The engine was a 292 cu in V8 adopted from the new Ford Thunderbird roadster and rated at 195 hp, with a three-speed manual gearbox and an optional three-speed automatic. The two-door hardtop coupé listed at US$2,631 and 71,588 were sold. Standard equipment included cloth and vinyl upholstery, full interior carpeting and chrome window surrounds; a heater and defroster, radio, power-adjustable front seat, power windows, power steering, power brakes and auxiliary road lamps were optional.
For 1956 the side trim became a full-length multi-tier chrome spear and Mercury offered two kinds of two-tone paint: the traditional roof colour over a different body colour, and “Flo-tone”, with the roof and lower body in one colour and the upper body in another. There were 31 two-tone and 28 Flo-tone combinations. The Montclair also had a special paint treatment below the side windows, and the bonnet crest badge gave way to a “Big M” emblem. The update brought a 12-volt electrical system that allowed air conditioning, standard dual exhaust and an automatic self-lubrication system for the steering and front suspension. Mercury added its version of the Ford Lifeguard safety package: a deep-dish steering wheel, safety door locks, tubeless tyres and a breakaway rear-view mirror, with childproof rear door locks, seat belts and padded dashboards as extra-cost options. The 292 V8 grew to 312 cu in and 225 hp, with an optional two-four-barrel version at 260 hp.
The Sun Valley
For 1955 the Montclair line included the Sun Valley, successor to the 1954 Monterey Sun Valley. Like the Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner, the front half of its roof was a tinted Plexiglas panel, but unlike the pillared Skyliner the Sun Valley was a hardtop. Transparent roofs had been a feature of 1950s concept cars, including the Lincoln Futura, but buyers did not take to them: the interior became unbearably hot in summer, particularly as air conditioning was not a factory option until 1956. Only 1,787 Sun Valleys were built.
Growing and moving up
For 1957 Mercury revised its sedans again and the Montclair became the mid-range offering, now below the new Turnpike Cruiser. The cars grew to a 122-inch wheelbase with a perimeter frame that allowed a lower, wider body and a lower floor, lifting all Mercurys above the new Edsel. The four-door pillared sedan now shared its roof with the Monterey; alongside the two-door hardtop a four-door hardtop arrived, both designated Montclair Phaetons, and a convertible was offered. The 312 V8 was retuned to 255 hp and the 368 cu in V8 from the Turnpike Cruiser became an option with 290 hp. The optional three-speed automatic adopted push-button controls called Keyboard Control, with a long “Drive” button and smaller buttons for Brake, Neutral Start, Hill Control and Reverse. The Montclair was dropped in 1961 and returned for 1964 above the Monterey, then left the range for good in 1969 when Mercury repackaged it as the Monterey Custom.
Design and features
- Colour-contrast panel: the Montclair’s signature styling feature below the window line.
- Sun Valley roof: a tinted Plexiglas front roof panel on a hardtop, 1,787 built.
- Thunderbird V8: the 292 cu in engine of 1955, growing to the 312 and the 368.
- Keyboard Control: push-button automatic transmission controls from 1957.
- Two periods: a premium 1955–1960 model and a mid-range 1964–1968 car.
Mercury Montclair versions
- Montclair (1955–1956): the first generation, with the 292 and 312 V8s.
- Montclair Sun Valley (1955): the plexiglass-roof hardtop.
- Montclair (1957–1958): the larger second generation with the 368 V8 option.
- Montclair (1959–1960): the final cars of the first period.
- Montclair (1964–1968): the second period, above the Monterey and below the Park Lane.
The Montclair sat above the Monterey and below the Park Lane, and the Turnpike Cruiser briefly topped it. More cars are in the Mercury collection.
Video: 1956 Mercury Montclair Lead Sled For Sale
Video by Vanguard Motor Sales on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercury Montclair, English Wikipedia: both production periods, engines, equipment, prices and the Sun Valley
.jpg){kind=link}
