1956 Meteor Rideau V-8 Convertible Coupe Sunliner

Canadian Lincoln-Mercury dealers introduced the first Meteor as a 1949 model. Built by Ford of Canada, the Meteor was priced between the relatively expensive Mercury and the regular Ford, with which it shared its chassis and basic body shell. The Meteor competed with Canadian Pontiac, Dodge, and other medium-priced models.

The first Meteors relied on a Mercury-like grille and a bit of special trim to set them apart. By 1955, top-of-the-line Meteor 'Rideau' models had a definite styling flare, thanks to liberal applications of unique bright trim. Then came the 1956 Rideau, with sweeping chrome moldings and tri-tone color combinations that most memorably distinguished it from Ford counterparts. This 1956 Meteor Rideau was offered with the same body styles as the Ford Fairlane, and shared the same style names. Thus, both the Rideau and Fairlane Convertibles were 'Sunliner' models. Restored in a stunning and authentic tri-color paint combination, this Meteor Rideau Sunliner is one of only 479 built for Canada in 1956. Powered by an overhead valve V8, the convertible is equipped with numerous accessories, including an exterior spare tire 'continental kit' and fender skirts.

Ford of Canada continued to use the Meteor nameplate on a variety of models through 1981. Even the U.S. Mercury used the Meteor badge, for a full-size series in 1961, and on a mid-size line for 1962-1963. But the grandest Meteors were certainly the mid-1950s Canadian Rideau models, as evidenced by this resplendent convertible.