Vehicle Description
1956 Mercury Monterey Hardtop
"Front, profile, or back whichever way you look at this new
Mercury, you know that here is a distinctive new car. You see the
individuality of this new Mercury in the gleaming bumper grille; in
the sweeping lines of the long, low silhouette; in the accent of
slash molding of bright metal, in the exciting new Flo-Tone color
styling and the newly styled tail lights." 1956 Mercury sales
brochure
For consignment, a 1956 Mercury Monterey hardtop that's been shaved
and lowered and features the dramatic and epically '50's Flo-Tone
paint scheme and dynamic side molding and trim. It's got some
custom features but does not lose its period coolness and barely
veers from the amazing cars in the 1956 brochure.
Exterior
Verona Green is sandwiched between panels of Classic White,
separated on the body by an ornate and unique side molding is a
combination of straight lines, louvered accents, sweeping curved
lines, and an integrated gravel guard. There were plenty of
bi-colored cars in the 50's but the separation was never as bold as
the Monterey's. The roof wears the white and is framed in robust
polished metal trim and window frames. Mercurys are known for their
use of chrome up front, and this one is no exception with thick
crossbars under thinner bars of the grille which travel from one
side to the other. Circular ducts added to the hood actually
function to bring air into the engine bay which is flanked by two
spotlights affixed to the cowl. More chrome is found in the faux
side pipes and the rear bumper and bumper bars just under chrome
rimmed taillight that are artful ovals. The car has pinstriping and
a painted spider on the front fender that had us pause for a
second. The paint and metal are great on the car and no noticeable
flaws were detected.
Interior
Sharp angles reappear on the door panels where metal trim separates
white panels from the turquoise one and both of the big doors are
in good shape. A vinyl split bench wraps turquoise vinyl around
cloth green inserts over a white base and the pattern is mirrored
in the back bench in fine, fifties fashion. A white plastic
steering wheel is in good condition and leads to the V-shaped gauge
cluster with arching gauges in tiered, delineated rows. Switchgear
is metallic and robust, and the center AM radio sits adjacent to a
square clock that looks like something out of a country kitchen.
Our spider reappears on the floor mounted shifter which rises from
the hump covered with turquoise loop carpet showing a bit of usage.
The turquoise headliner is in great shape and the trunk is
completely lined in a plaid mat and houses a spare.
Drivetrain
A show worthy engine gleams under the hood and it's a 312ci V8 with
Lincoln chrome valve covers and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor on
top. A 3-speed manual transmission sends power to the Dana 44 out
back and drum brakes live at all four corners.
Undercarriage
Relatively clean underneath with minimal surface rust, mostly
reserved for the exhaust which is a dual setup that intersects
Cherrybomb mufflers and continue on their journey to the back where
they terminate with chrome tips out back. Those side pipes? All
show! Mostly dry underneath with one small drop of oil on the oil
pan. Coil springs are employed up front and leaf springs are in the
back and the car has been lowered.
Drive-Ability
Driving this on the road would be akin to Lady Godiva riding a
bedazzled elephant down the streets of Morgantown...it is very
showy, big, and bright and would get everyone's attention. That
said, the car is a cruiser and rolls onto our test loop with a good
running engine and a comfortable cabin with a ton of space and
visibility from the wrap-around windshield and huge windows. The
radio and clock do not work but everything else functioned as
expected. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
This is a lot of car, a beautiful lead sled with Flo-Tone paint and
a smooth running and shiny V8 under the hood. This is from the era
of chrome and this car carries a ton in grand fashion and is an
instant show car, amazing from any angle. It's a relatively
uncommon car at your local car show so get ready to interact with
an admiring public.
56ME77703M
56-1956
ME-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
77703-Sequential Unit Number
M-Mercury
WARRANTY PLATE
STYLE BU64C-Mercury Monterey 2 Door Hardtop
08-Pinewood Green Metallic
662-Contemporary Green Cloth & Light Green Vinyl
4F-4th Of June
12-Rotation Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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