Mercury Montclair
In 1955, Mercury burst into the upper class with the release of a top of the line series. Entitled the Mercury Montclair, their offering was the company’s only convertible. How did the bold decision translate into sales? Mercury marked a 27% increase in sales over 1954. That’s almost 330,000 cars sold, which was a level that would not be surpassed until mid-1960.
The term “Montclair” was initially presented in 1955 and was Mercury’s introduction into the premium automobile market.
The Montclair’s Design
The lone convertible in Mercury’s fleet, the Montclair shared the daring design of the company’s Customs and Montereys. Its elegance was displayed by a wrapped windshield, imposing lines, and a lower body. With a price tag of $2,712, customers had the option of choosing between a fun four-door sedan with a low roof and a Sun Valley hardtop with a transparent green-tinted roof insert that was placed just above the front seat.
The Sun Valley version of the Montclair sold a mere 1,787 models. This was a very poor showing when compared to 10,668 convertibles sold in 1955. Motorists had proven their preference for genuine top down transportation on the road.
Stirring Features of the Montclair
The early versions of the Montclair were considered by many to be the most visually appealing. Models in 1955 and 1956 were adorned with two-tone paint combinations with trim made with extra chrome. Also at the time, Ford launched its Lifeguard safety program. As a result, the vehicles were equipped with a deep-dish steering wheel to protect the driver from the steering column in the event of an accident. Breakaway rearview mirrors and safety door locks were also standard. Padded dashboards, designed with a new three-tier instrument panel, were optional.
The Mercury Montclair also sported one of the company’s first overhead valve V-8 engines. Enlarged to 292 cubic inches, the upgrade allowed the engine to boast 198 horsepower. Accompanying the self-shifting transmission were dual exhaust pipes that were standard in all models. At the time, cars were growing in size. The vehicles were getting heavier, so in response, more powerful engines were created. The “Merc-O-Matic” transmission was built at a plant in Livonia, Michigan and placed behind the commanding engines of Lincoln, Mercury, and certain Ford models.
A renowned automotive journalist of the time, Tom McCahill pushed the hardtop version of the Montclair to 60 mph from the start in 12.8 seconds, proving the vehicle could be considered a hot rod. The car’s handling had been upgraded thanks to modifications and improvements to the older ball-joint front suspension. Brake pads were enlarged to increase stopping power.
The Mercury Montclair was at its best in 1955. However, the car could have been even better with more options such as power windows and air conditioning. AC was first available in automobiles dating back as far as 1939.
The End of an Era
The Montclair’s run started in 1955 and came to a close in 1968. During that time, it was released by Mercury, then the Lincoln, Edsel, and Mercury division of Ford, and finally by Lincoln Mercury, also a restructured division of the Ford Motor Company.
