Vehicle Description
1953 Mercury Monterey 2-Door Hardtop Coupe - From Phoenix, Arizona
- Owned 30 Years by Previous Owner - Ford Mechanic - Frame Off
Restoration - 18k Miles Since Restored - Flathead V8 (Please note:
If you happen to be viewing this 1953 Mercury Monterey on a website
other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've
only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to
third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more
than 125 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around
video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.) The name
was selected by Edsel Ford, the only son of Henry. Mercury was the
winged messenger and the god of commerce according to Roman
mythology, symbolizing speed, skill, dependability, and eloquence.
�€" Classics and Beyond, History of Mercury Automobiles Hagerty
gives some '53 Mercury history: Ford completely redesigned its cars
for 1952 (continued on the '53 models), including the Mercury
lineup, and the cars now sported a taller, square shape with larger
greenhouse. Front and rear glass was now curved, keeping up with
the modernization of design, and an entirely new grille and
brightwork were employed. The Mercury L-head eight-cylinder engine
still displaced 255 cid, but now produced 125 hp. For the first
time in its two-year existence, the Monterey became its own model.
... Mercury Monterey(s) could now be ordered in more body styles,
with a convertible and a sedan joining the popular... coupe. The
sedan was priced at $2,115, while the coupe cost $2,225. In all,
24,453 Monterey coupes were sold and 5,261 convertibles. Offered
here is a 1953 Mercury 2-door hardtop in metallic green over gray,
sporting a rare Continental kit rear spare-tire carrier. The
Phoenix, Arizona car has been well preserved and respectfully
upgraded to serve as a reliable road car and a stunning show star.
(It was owned for 30 years by a Ford mechanic, and was treated to a
frame-off restoration 18, 462 miles ago, which is indicated on the
odometer's current reading.) The design of the car's exterior
reflects the exuberance of early-Fifties America. Not over-the-top,
as some cars taht would appear later in the decade, but rather a
presence and flair that exuded stylish optimism. In this case, the
jade-green metallic exterior-paint choice was perfect, and the
condition of the paint across the entire body (as well as
under-hood area, door jambs, and trunk interior) has been well
maintained, showing only very minimal patina. There is no obvious
damage to any body panel. Rear fender skirts add to the sleek,
horizontal flow of the basic design. Exuberant-but not
excessive-stock chrome brightwork, including the lower-front
bumper, hood-scoop trim, bodyside trim, and cabin-glass trim, is in
excellent condition overall, with some age-related wear (as on the
door handles). The Monterey's beautiful sloping rear deck and
chrome-surrounded taillights are even more striking with the added
spare-tire carrier and rear-bumper extension in body-color, and
Mercury-embossed chrome bumper. Dual exhaust tips are the final
chrome signature. Cabin glass, in particular the curved windshield
and rear window, is clear and undamaged; lighting lenses are clear
as well. The rear-fender Mercury-script emblems, and the
individual-letters M-e-r-c-u-ry on the hood are properly in place.
Twin spotlights, a popular period modification, have been added, as
have chrome, faux-spinner full-wheel covers. Inside, it's clear the
car's restoration was performed to a very high standard. Stylish
original trim has been maintained throughout. Door trim, for
example, incorporates, from top to bottom, body-color painted
metal, gray vertical-pattern cloth, chrome trim, and dark-green
carpeting in a delightful combination. Pleated seat upholstery is
executed in a pleasing light-gray and dark-green combination. Cabin
floors are covered in dark-green carpeting (which continues in the
same professional inst