While Ford historians are unsure as to where exactly the name
originated from, most agree that the Montclair gets its namesake
from the upper-class community of Montclair, New Jersey, and while
it's not a certainty, it certainly looks the part. It's decked with
a brilliant two-tone color scheme of white on blue, wide white wall
tires, and doesn't look anywhere near its age of sixty! Not all
cars are created equal, and 1956 saw the addition of a new feature
for Ford, the Lifeguard Program. Spurred by Robert McNamara, the
program was a result Ford's own crash testing and redesigned
aspects of interior components to make vehicles safer in the event
of a crash. Standard features included: safety "deep-center"
steering wheel, safety "double-grip" door latches, and safety
rearview mirror. While the public was initially responsive to the
Lifeguard Program, even leading Henry Ford II to say, "McNamara is
selling safety, but Chevrolet is selling cars," 1956 saw the
beginning of a shift in the American Automotive Industry. This
Montclair is a piece of that very history. It's more than just a
pretty face, it features a 302 V8 and 5-speed automatic
transmission, as well as a lot of modern amenities to really set
this cruiser apart. Some of the upgrades include: AM/FM Radio with
a CD player, power steering, power disc brakes, accusteer rack and
pinion steering, and an impressive vinyl interior. When you get
behind the wheel, hear that engine purr and listen to the automatic
transmission seamlessly shift gears, it's obvious that this is more
than just a car: it's a symbol. This vehicle is located in our
Milwaukee showroom. You can view this 1956 Mercury Montclair in
greater detail including HD pictures and an HD video of it running
and driving at Gatewayclassiccars.com. If you are interested in
purchasing this vehicle or have more questions regarding it please
call us at (262)-891-4253 or email us at
[email protected].
