Vehicle Description
Ford completely redesigned most of its cars for the 1952 year,
introducing the first generation of the newly named and elegant
Mercury Monterey in the process. Slightly more powerful than the
Ford version, the slick 1952 Merc also offered clean styling and
wonderful '50s era details that only add to the car's allure.
Featuring a sophisticated two-tone paint job, a beautifully
restored interior, a couple of choice options, and an upgraded 401
'Wildcat' V8, this is an unusual '50s cruiser that really moves the
needle.
With all the focus on vintage hot-rodding these days, it's easy to
forget that your parents and grandparents drove fantastic cars like
this to work every day. With that in mind, you shouldn't be
surprised that this one works as well as it does, or that it looks
so polished. The Mercury brand was hitting on all eight cylinders
in 1952, boasting impressive sales and a rejuvenated image thanks
to value-packed cars like this. The custom cream beige and deep red
paint is pretty close to Vassar Yellow and Siren Red (introduced
the following year), and with those contrasting shades, it has a
high-profile look that fits the Monterey's upscale status. Built as
a driver and always intended to be enjoyed, it's important to note
that this car has never had a frame-off restoration, so it must
have looked good pretty much its entire life. It's been repainted,
but the straight bodywork mostly comes from clean living not a
restorer's tools, and it still fits together with a precision that
feels authentic. It shines up great, the finish is deep and glossy,
and the tasteful pinstriping fore and aft really pops out from the
luster of the beige. Perfect it is not, but this Merc sure turns
some heads here in our showroom. The grille up front was borrowed
from a 1954 Monterey, the headlight bezels are from a '57 Chevy,
and the taillights are custom, giving this already beautiful design
a little more edge. Heavy chrome bumpers are in very good
condition, and all the chrome and brightwork is in place and really
pops out from the two-tone paint job.
The two-tone red and black interior was probably freshened at the
same time the car was painted and shows very little signs of use
since then. The vinyl and cloth upholstery is durable and
comfortable, stitched into factory-correct patterns that value
simplicity over flash. The dashboard, however, is a different story
with its futuristic look, floating instrument panel, and
aircraft-style control levers for the secondary controls. Handsome
door panels with contrasting chrome moldings and levers are in
excellent shape, the headliner remains taut and wrinkle-free, and
the black carpets below are plush and insulate the cabin. Stewart
Warner gauges are neatly installed inside the dash bezel, the
better to monitor the Nailhead up front, there's a Vintage A/C unit
under the dash that blows R134a air inside the cabin, and a modern
Pioneer AM/FM/CD/Bluetooth stereo handles the entertainment. Out
back, the spacious trunk is all-stock and includes a full-sized
spare tire.
The 401 'Wildcat' V8 under the hood, also known as the 'Nailhead',
is not original to the car but offers more power and less weight
than the flathead it replaced. Smooth as silk with a bubbly idle,
it looks nicely detailed under the hood, from the finned aluminum
air cleaner and matching valve covers, to the upgraded power brake
system and Sanderson A/C compressor. The Buick turquoise-green
engine enamel on the block almost looks factory-applied, and it
really pops out from the satin black inner fenders and firewall.
With friendly gears out back, it's a very pleasant highway cruiser
that purrs along at modern speeds, and the TH400 3-speed automatic
transmission shifts smoothly. The undercarriage is very solid and
tidy as well, further showing-off a life lived well in temperate
climates. Finishing the look, period-looking American Classics wide
whitewall tires look great on those bright red wheels with full
chrome wheelcovers.
An unusual '50s cruiser with plenty of power and a demure look,
this 1952 Mercury Monterey is every bit as wonderful as you
remember them being back in the day. Call today!
