President Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act on June 29th of 1956. This piece of legislation appropriated $25 billion for the construction of 41,000 miles of freeways throughout America. This new highway system inspired Mercury to create a concept car for 1956 called the XM Turnpike Cruiser, which soon led to a similar production car that appeared in the brand's all-new 1957 model line.
The production Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was powered by a new 368 cubic-inch V8 engine that offered 290 horsepower. It came as a two-door or four-door hardtop. The body style had design cues from the jet age, including the first compound-curve windscreen, streamlined and angular tailfins that were referred to as 'projectiles,' and 'Breezaway Ventilation,' a cabin cooling innovation in which air passed through intakes at the front of the roofline and out of a rear opening left by a retractable rear glass piece, canopied by an extended roof overhang.
Inside, there was a flat-topped elliptical steering wheel, an instrument panel dubbed the 'Monitor Control Panel' featuring an unusual speed-averaging computer clock.
Production of the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser would last for only two years, as consumers began to take a greater interest in smaller, more compact vehicles being offered by other marques.
by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019
The production Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was powered by a new 368 cubic-inch V8 engine that offered 290 horsepower. It came as a two-door or four-door hardtop. The body style had design cues from the jet age, including the first compound-curve windscreen, streamlined and angular tailfins that were referred to as 'projectiles,' and 'Breezaway Ventilation,' a cabin cooling innovation in which air passed through intakes at the front of the roofline and out of a rear opening left by a retractable rear glass piece, canopied by an extended roof overhang.
Inside, there was a flat-topped elliptical steering wheel, an instrument panel dubbed the 'Monitor Control Panel' featuring an unusual speed-averaging computer clock.
Production of the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser would last for only two years, as consumers began to take a greater interest in smaller, more compact vehicles being offered by other marques.
by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019
Similar Vehicles
Similarly Sized Vehicles
from 1957
Similarly Priced Vehicles
Porsche 356 A ($3,200-$3,910)
Buick Series 60 Century ($3,315-$3,830)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta ($2,800-$3,785)
DeSoto Fireflite ($3,485-$4,120)
Buick Roadmaster ($3,945-$4,481)
Jaguar XK140 ($3,665-$4,400)
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL ($3,999-$4,290)
DeSoto Adventurer ($4,000-$4,270)
Buick Series 50 Super ($3,540-$3,980)
Chrysler Saratoga ($3,715-$3,830)
Average Auction Sale: $45,542
Buick Series 60 Century ($3,315-$3,830)
Alfa Romeo Giulietta ($2,800-$3,785)
DeSoto Fireflite ($3,485-$4,120)
Buick Roadmaster ($3,945-$4,481)
Jaguar XK140 ($3,665-$4,400)
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL ($3,999-$4,290)
DeSoto Adventurer ($4,000-$4,270)
Buick Series 50 Super ($3,540-$3,980)
Chrysler Saratoga ($3,715-$3,830)
Average Auction Sale: $45,542
1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
Price Comparison
$2,575 - $3,005
$3,190 - $3,430
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