Vehicle Description
1953 Mercury Monterey - Arizona Car - 255ci Flathead V8 bored .30
over - Automatic Transmission - Side Pipes and Shaved Door Handles
- Classic Merc Hot Rod (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 145 photographs, as well as a
short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main
website: Garage Kept Motors.) The (Mercury) 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 cubic inches, 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 Bittersweet (orange) and
white over the same two hues inside. This Arizona car has been well
preserved, refreshed, and respectfully customized to serve as a
reliable road car and a stunning show star. The overall look is of
a period-correct custom build. The car's current odometer reading
is 105,514 miles, or just over 1,500 miles per-year since new. The
design of the car's exterior reflects the exuberance of
early-Fifties America. Not over-the-top, as some cars that would
appear later in the decade, but rather a presence and flair that
exuded stylish optimism. In this case, the combination Bittersweet
orange under a white hardtop paint choice was perfect, and the
condition of the refreshed paint finish across the entire body (as
well as under-hood area, door jambs, and trunk interior) has been
very well maintained. There is no obvious damage to any sheet metal
panel. Rear fender skirts add to the sleek, horizontal flow of the
basic design. Custom laker-style side exhaust pipes add flair.
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 very light and
limited patina from age). The Monterey's beautiful sloping rear
deck, chrome-surrounded taillights (with blue dot inserts), and
Mercury-embossed chrome bumper make for an attractive rear-end
combination. Dual exhaust tips are the final chrome signature.
Cabin glass, including the curved windshield and rear window, is
clear and undamaged; lighting lenses are clear as well. Emblems,
badging, and exterior door handles have been removed from the body
for a shaved look. Wide whitewall tires are mounted on the stock,
orange-painted steel wheels with faux-spinner-style chrome full
wheel covers. Inside, it's clear the car's overall stock look has
been maintained. Stylish original trim has been maintained
throughout. Door trim, for example, incorporates (from top to
bottom) body-color painted metal, orange cloth, chrome trim, and
white vinyl in a delightful combination. Vertically pleated white
seat upholstery is trimmed in orange. Cabin floors are covered in
black carpeting (which continues with the same professional
installation in the trunk). The driver's view through the stock
steering wheel (with d