1953 Mercury Monterey

Mercury was founded in late 1938 as an entry-level-luxury vehicle positioned between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles. The name 'Mercury' was derived from 'messenger of the gods' of Roman mythology.

The Lincoln-Mercury Division was formed in 1945, but it was not until 1949 that Mercury was able to shed its image as a Ford with nicer accouterments and trim. For 1953, the Mercury shared many styling with Lincoln and the bodies were closely related to Ford models, albeit being three inches longer in the wheelbase with the larger proportions reflected in the hood and front fenders. The 1953 model year was also the final year for the flathead V-8 engines in Ford and Mercury passenger cars.

Automakers met consumer demand in the years immediately following World War II by offering mildly updated versions of their pre-war products. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, new cars and trucks began pouring forth from Detroit. Ford's Mercury division introduced the new Monterey in 1950, and in 1953, it went from the topline subseries to its own model. The advanced styling and quality were matched by an elegant interior with the finest materials and an advanced dashboard layout with aircraft-style lever controls and a half-moon speedometer. The 1953 Monterey continued to use the Ford flathead V-8 with three main bearings, a Holley two-barrel carburetor, and delivering 125 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. A three-speed manual was standard and Overdrive and Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission was optional.

Monterey body styles included a hardtop coupe, convertible, sedan, and station wagon. Prices ranged from $2,130 for the sedan and rose to $2,600 for the station wagon. A total of 76,119 examples of the hardtop coupe were built in 1953, 64,038 of the sedan, 7,719 of the station wagon, and 8,463 of the convertible.

The Mercury Monterey wore two-tone paint schemes, chrome rocker panels, and fender skirts. It shared its 118-inch wheelbase platform with its Custom Series sibling that was priced slightly lower at $2,000 - $2,120. Bodystyles on the Custom included a two- and four-door sedan, and a sport coupe.

The Mercury grilles for 1953 were integrated with the bumper, complete with new bullet-shaped bumper guards. The doors could now stay in either half-way or fully opened position. A Monterey name could be found on the upper front fenders, an update that occurred soon after 1953 model year production began.

The 1953 Mercury options included a bumper grille guard, radio, power brakes, electric windows, whitewall tires, power seat, power steering, and wheel covers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020