1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser

President Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act on June 29th,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 with a four-barrel carburetor and produced 290 horsepower at 4,600 RPM and 405 lbs.-ft of torque at 2,600 RPM. It came as a two- and four-door hardtop, a range-topping convertible, and wore Jet-Age-inspired design cues, including the first compound-curve windscreen, and streamlined and angular tailfins that were referred to as 'projectiles.' The 'Breezaway Ventilation' system was 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, 'seat-o-matic' (automatically adjusting power seat with memory), and an instrument panel dubbed the 'Monitor Control Panel' featuring an unusual speed-averaging computer clock (a 'computer' estimates your average speed using time and mileage).

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. Mercury produced 16,861 Turnpike Cruisers in 1957 including 1,265 convertibles. While the Turnpike Cruiser continued for 1958, no convertible was offered that year.

1957 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

1957 was a monumental year for Mercury with the launch of completely restyled cars and, for the first time in its history, bodies exclusive to the marque. The range-topping Montclair Turnpike Cruiser was advertised as 'beautifully sculptured… distinctively detailed… with clean line modern styling.' This limited-production, top-of-the-line image leader with cutting-edge styling and every factory-available item standard was selected to pace the 1957 Indy 500. This marked only the second time in its history that Mercury was selected as the Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500-mile race. With Francis C. 'Jack' Reith, the General Manager of Mercury behind the wheel, 1957 marked the first time the Pace Car would lead two laps (one parade and one warm-up) around the Brick Yard before the race to give the race cars additional time to warm up.

In celebration of the Indy 500 pace car duties, replica versions were offered for sale and were offered in a single yellow, Sun Glitter, exterior color and fitted with the optional Continental tire kit 'Dream Car Spare Tire Carrier.' Selling for $4,103, a total of 1,265 Pace Car convertible Cruisers were made. With 3,148 franchised dealers, Mercury only produced one for approximately every two and a half dealers.

There were four actual pace cars for the 1957 Indy 500, one of which went to the winner.

Dimensions

The Mercury Turnpike Cruiser rested on a 122-inch wheelbase platform and had an overall length of 211 inches, a width of 79.1 inches, and a height of 56.5 inches. This was the same body-on-frame chassis used by the Montclair and Monterey. The suspension was independent at the front with a ball-joint and coil springs, while the rear relied on a live axle with leaf springs. 11-inch drum brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power.

The standard 368 cubic-inch V8 engine powering the 1957 Turnpike Cruiser was optional across the rest of the Mercury line. A plaque on the right rocker arm cover identified it as 'Turnpike Cruiser Engine.' The following year witnessed the arrival of two new 'Marauder' engines with a 383 and 430 cubic-inch displacement size. The 383 CID V8 with a four-barrel carburetor offered 330 horsepower at 4,800 RPM and 425 lbs.-ft of torque at 3,0000 RPM, and could also be found in the Montclair and the Colony Park. The larger 430 cubic-inch unit with 360 horsepower at 4,600 RPM, 480 lbs.-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM, and was shared with the Park Lane. The optional 'Super Marauder' version of the 430 CID V8 had triple-two barrel carburetors and produced 400 horsepower at 5200 RPM and 480 lbs.-ft of torque at 3,200 RPM, earning it the distinction of being the first factory-produced engine with a 400 hp output.

Regardless of the engine, the Turnpike Cruiser used a 3-speed 'Merc-O-Matic' automatic, and the 1957 Mercury could be ordered with optional pushbutton controls. There were five buttons called 'Keyboard Control,' with a long button on top labeled 'Drive' and four smaller buttons below labeled 'Brake', 'Neutral Start', which allowed the engine to start with the ignition key, 'Hill Control', and 'Reverse'. In 1958, Mercury relabeled it as the 'Multi-Drive' and separated the 'Drive' button to 'Performance' and 'Cruising.' The 'Park' button now had a separate push/pull lever underneath, and would lock out the control buttons until the Park button was pulled to release it. The keyboard control was discontinued in 1959 and replaced with a standard steering column gear selector lever.

by Dan Vaughan

Indy 500 Pace Car Convertible

The Turnpike Cruiser was the flagship Mercury model in 1957 and 1958. At 4,125 pounds, it is powered by a 368 cubic-inch V8 engine rated at 260 horsepower when fitted with Holley four-barrel carburetors, dual exhausts, and a Merc-O-Matic transmission with a new-for-1957 Keyboard Control Panel. This car is equipped with power steering, brakes, windows, Memory Matic seats and a convertible top.

This car was introduced in late 1957 and designed specifically to be the official pace car for the 1957 Indianapolis 500. The original price was $4,103 and only 1,265 were made with each having the Continental tire kit and many were painted Sunglitter Yellow like the original pace car. With 3,148 franchise dealers, Mercury only produced one for every two-and-one-half dealers.

Hardtop Sedan

The Mercury Turnpike features many styling cues from the FoMoCo concept cars prior, including a wrap-over and around windshield, roof asto-style vents, power breeze-way rear window and the famous 'Cruiser' fender skirts. Futuristic push-buttons operated the automatic transmission behind the powerful 368ci engine. This car is mostly original with mechanical restoration in 1999.

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: 57LA43011M

This example was assembled in Mercury's Los Angeles factory during the first year of the model's production. It is believed that the car spent most of its life in Southern California. The current owner purchased the car in February 2006 from Jerry Olmsted of Escondido, California. A short time later, a professional rotisserie restoration was begun, including a complete rebuild of the engine and front end, as well as the installation of new brakes, wheel cylinders, rubber lines and weather stripping. All chrome was replated and period-correct interior panels and carpets were fitted.

This car is fitted with options such as air conditioning and the electrically operated seat function originally known as 'Seat-O-Matic.'

In 2010, this Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was expected to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $39,600, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe

In 1956, Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the National interstate and Defense Highway Act. This Act appropriated 25 billion dollars for the construction of 41,000 miles of American highway. And, in the spirit of free enterprise, the people at Mercury had just the right vehicle to enjoy those roads.

The Mercury Turnpike Cruisers were produced by the Mercury division of Ford. They were named Turnpike Cruiser to commemorate the creation of the Interstate Highway System. The 1957 Turnpike Cruiser was perched atop the Mercury lineup. It sported a 368 cubic-inch, 290 horsepower V8 engine, a compound curve windshield, tailfins, and Breezeway Ventilation. The futuristic theme continued into the cockpit, where an elliptical steering wheel, Monitor Control Panel, and the pre-cursor to memory seating all ensured that the occupants were ready to cruise.

Available in both a two-door and four-door hardtop style, the Turnpike Cruiser remained in production for only two years. The American consumers then turned towards smaller, more economical and lower-cost transportation.

23,268 examples of the Turnpike Cruiser were produced during the two years of production, 1,265 being the Convertible Cruiser. In 1958, Mercury discontinued the Turnpike Cruiser, replacing it with the Park Lane.

This Turnpike Cruiser is one of the special 1957 two-tone combinations, Sunset Orchid and Tuxedo Black.

Hardtop Coupe

This 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser is an ultra-rare 'M-335 Power Package.' It is powered by a dual quad, 368 cubic-inch engine delivering 335 horsepower and was available only by special order. All M-335-equipped cars were prepared in Bill Stroppe's legendary speed shop as part of a factory initiative to make Mercury more competitive in the NASCAR race series. It is believed that this is the only example equipped with an automatic transmission, and is believed to have been Mr. Stroppe's personal vehicle.

This vehicle is finished in Fiesta Red and Tuxedo Black and is equipped with nearly every factory option available, including air conditioning, power memory 'Seat-O-Matic,' pushbutton chassis lubrication, 'Cruiser' rear skirts, and a continental kit spare tire.

The 1957 Turnpike Cruiser was inspired by a 1956 auto-show car of the same name. It was designed to be the perfect vehicle for cruising the Interstate highways of the future.

Details included an electrically retractable 'Breezeway' rear window and Merc-O-Matic transmission with 'Keyboard Controls' on the 'Monitor Control Panel' (dashboard).

by Dan Vaughan

Indy 500 Pace Car Convertible
Chassis number: 57SL66064M

This 1957 Mercury Turnpike Convertible Cruiser Indy 500 Pace Car with chassis number 57SL66064M is truly a unique creation. It is the only 1957 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car created, and was once owned by Indy Winner Sam Hanks.

The Turnpike Cruiser was Mercury's top-of-the-line offering in 1957 and 1958. It was a bold car that went against the public's opinion that Mercury only produced conservative cars. They came in either two or four-door hard top configuration. Matching their style was their list of standard equipment, which was virtually every power item available. The interior was filled with push buttons. Under the hood was an overhead valve V8 with Holley four-barrel carburetors. The 368 cubic-inch beast produced 290 horsepower. The Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission gently sent the power to the rear wheels. The 122-inch wheels base was delicately held in place by coil springs and semi-elliptic leaf springs. Four-wheel hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power.

There were 1265 examples produced of the Turnpike Convertible Cruisers, each carrying a sticker price of $4103.

This example was the actual Pace Car for the 1957 Indy race and was awarded to the winner, Sam Hanks. It was the first pace car to complete two laps, since the parade lap was introduced in 1957. The car was kept by Hanks until the 1980's when it was sold to a collector in California. It is currently owned by its third owner. It made an appearance at the 2004 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 57SL70016M

Just a few months after the new Interstate Highway System was into its authorization, Mercury introduced the new Turnpike Cruiser for the 1957 model year. This special model designation would last only two years in the Mercury line. First, it was available in two- and four-door hardtop trim. After being selected to pace the 1957 Indianapolis 500, Dearborn's executive office decided to offer a Convertible option, which was announced on January 7th of 1957. In total, just 1,265 examples were built that year, which all convertibles being equipped with a continental spare tire kit.

The Turnpike Cruiser was the first car manufactured with quad headlights. This particular example is finished in Sun Glitter Yellow with a matching Yellow and Black leather interior. The odometer currently shows 61,000 miles. The engine is the larger 3668 CID version of the Y-Block Lincoln engine, which was rated at nearly 300 horsepower that year. It has a Merc-O-Matic 3-speed transmission that used a push-button gear selector. Other items include the Seat-O-Matic memory power seat, the Lube-O-Matic push-button system, Town and Country signal-seeking radio, a two-tone interior, and a factory-installed tachometer.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible

This Mercury Montclair Turnpike Cruiser Convertible is one of just 4,248 examples built. It has been carefully preserved since it was purchased from the late **** Clark's famous 57 Heaven Museum in 2009. It is red with tri-color rolled and pleated interior, with a padded dash, dash-mounted clock and radio and push-button controls for its Merc-O-Matic transmission. It has a sharp White power-operated convertible top, driver's side spotlight, full wheel covers and wide whitewall tires. The car was given several years ago.

by Dan Vaughan

Indy 500 Pace Car Convertible
Chassis number: 57SL68456M

This 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica is powered by a 358 cubic-inch V8 engine offering 290 horsepower and paired with a three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission. It has a push-button radio, 'keyboard control' transmission, and a power top. It wears the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, a Sun Glitter paint scheme, gold graphics, and a black convertible top. Luxuriously appointed, the interior mirrors the exterior theme with two-tone black and pale yellow leather seats.

by Dan Vaughan