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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 Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 53LA40463M

This 1953 Mercury Monterey Convertible is painted in red with new chrome and stainless steel trim, a white power-operated convertible top, a white vinyl top boot, red painted steel wheels, and period correct wide whitewall tires. Inside, there is a red and white vinyl interior, power windows, a dash-mounted clock, and a CD player that is mounted within the glove box. The engine if a flathead V8 modified with period-style Offenhauser cylinder heads.

In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $45,000-$65,000 and was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $19,800 including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Station Wagon

An automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company, Mercury was founded in 1939 with the purpose to market entry-level-luxury vehicles that were slotted in between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles. All Mercury models are today based on Ford platforms. The Mercury name is derived from 'messenger of the gods' of Roman mythology. In the beginning years, Mercury was known for performance. Featuring the same chassis and running gear used on all other Mercurys, the Monterey featured a 118-inch wheelbase that ran between coil-and-wishbone suspension up front and leaf springs under a live axle in the rear. Achieving 110 horsepower, the Monterey received its power from an L-Head V-8 that displaced 255.4 cubic inches. The Monterey name continued on, but on a premium series of Mercurys in three body styles. The Monterey later shared the same body style with the slightly more upscale Marquis, the Montclair, and the Park Lane. After the 1968 model year, the Montclair and Park were eliminated from the lineup. The Marquis-Monterey body eventually shared the same body as the Ford Galaxie, the Ford Custom, and the Ford LTD.

by AACA

An automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company, Mercury was founded in 1939 with the purpose to market entry-level-luxury vehicles that were slotted in between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles. All Mercury models are today based on Ford platforms. The Mercury name is derived from 'messenger of the gods' of Roman mythology. In the beginning years, Mercury was known for its performance.

The 1950 full-size near-luxury car Mercury Monterey represented a choice that the Ford Motor Company had to make. At the time General Motors and the Chrysler Corporation were producing a plethora of 'hardtop convertibles' and Ford realized that it couldn't convert its year-old bodies into hardtop models at a reasonable cost. Determined not to stand idly by as GM and Chrysler attempted to dominate the car market with its attractive new pillarless coupes.

Ford decided that the only solution was to customize existing two-door bodies into a new line of specialty models. These included the Ford Crestliner, Lincoln Capri and Lido, and the Mercury Monterey.

All of these vehicles were developed from the same formula with grained top coverings that were harmonized with a very limited number of pain colors. Color-coordinated interiors also matched the external theme, while special trim and badging were used both inside and out.

Responsible for the Mercury Monterey's special touches, William Schmidt took over the design work. A choice of either canvas or vinyl roof coverings were offered on the all-new custom coupe, along with either fabric-and-leather or all-leather seats. A deluxe steering wheel was showcased, and bright trim edged the windows on the inside.

The base price of a 1950 Mercury Monterey was $2,146. Mercury's flagship sedan from 1950 through 1974, the classic 'Monterey' was considered to be '4,000 lbs. of Pure Decadence.' Still coveted even today, the sleek lines of those earlier models make the Monterey a popular collectible classic.

Featuring the same chassis and running gear used on all other Mercurys, the Monterey featured a 118-inch wheelbase that ran between coil-and-wishbone suspension up front and leaf springs under a live axle in the rear. Achieving 110 bhp, the Monterey received its power from an L-head V-8 that displaced 255.4 cubic inches.

In early 1951, Ford decided to replace the Crestliner with the first hardtop, regardless of the cost. In 1952 Mercury and Lincoln came out with all-new bodies that were designed to include hardtops.

The Monterey name continued on, but on a premium series of Mercury's in three body styles. The Monterey later shared the same body style with the slightly more upscale Marquis, the Montclair, and the Park Lane. After the 1968 model year, the Montclair and Park were eliminated from the lineup. The Marquis-Monterey body eventually shared the same body as the Ford Galaxie, the Ford Custom, and the Ford LTD.

From 1961 through 1963, the Mercury Monterey was sold in Canada as the Mercury Meteor. Available in three trim lines, the Meteor was sold as the LeMoyne, the Montcalm, and Rideau. After the United States, Monterey was retired, Canadian Meteors were still marketed from 1964 until 1976. They were re-badged Marquis models following the deletion of the U.S. model Monterey in 1974.

The Monterey nameplate was resurrected in 2004 for a minivan, though it was essentially a re-badged Ford Freestar with more features and newly modified cosmetic features. The Monterey comes with a high level of equipment and several styling cues from Mercury. These minivans were made to fill the gap in Mercury's vehicle lineup following the discontinuation of the Mercury Villager. Offered in only one trim level, for 2006 Mercury Monterey was offered in the fully-loaded Luxury edition.

The Luxury edition was featured in front-wheel drive and is powered by a 4.2-liter V6 engine that was matched with a four-speed automatic transmission and anti-lock braking system. The inside of the Monterey featured amazing standard features such as cloth upholstery, dual-zone air conditioning, first and second-row captain's chairs, power sliding doors, tilting steering wheel, and much more.

The all-new Monterey also came with a great safety warranty. Standard occupant-sensing front passenger airbag, heated power-adjustable side mirrors that featured built-in warning/turn signals, perimeter anti-theft system, and Safety Canopy curtain and side-impact airbags. Optional features were Traction Control and Advancetrac electronic stability control.

by Jessican Donaldson