1955-1956 Mercury Montclair Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton
The 1955-1956 Mercury Montclair hardtop, convertible, and phaeton are the most collectible offerings -- save the "Plexi-roof" Sun Valley hardtop coupe -- in Mercury's new-for-'55 premium series, which demoted the former top-line Monterey to mid-range status. Bright new square-shouldered styling on an inch-longer wheelbase implied an all-new design, but the '55s and the even bolder, facelifted '56s were actually artful reskins of Merc's successful 1952-1954 platform. Mostly evolutionary engineering changes included factory air as a new '55 option, plus "on-demand" low-gear kickdown for the extra-cost three-speed Merc-O-Matic Drive (which previously started in second).Montclairs
predictably offered Mercury's best trim and most complete standard equipment in
these years. The '55s sported a slim chrome-edged panel just under the beltline
that keyed to roof color with optional two-toning. The '56 "Big M"
story involved larger V-8s with more power, plus new Phaeton hardtop sedans in
all series, which expanded down to near Ford price territory with the addition
of cheap Medalist models.
Growing
collector interest in hardtop sedans is why the Montclair Phaeton is included
here, but also note its Sport Sedan companion with the same raking roofline,
but slim fixed B-pillars, unique to the '56 Montclair line and fairly rare with only 11,765 built.
Pluses
of the 1955-1956 Mercury Montclair
Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton:
- Burly good looks with just enough period flash
- Modern, powerful V-8s
- Long
underappreciated, so some models fairly scarce
Minuses
of the 1955-1956 Mercury Montclair Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton:
- Collector values now rising fast
- Not
many saved over the years, so some parts as hard to find as the cars themselves
Production
of the 1955 Mercury Montclair
Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton:
- Convertible: 10,668
- Hardtop Coupe: 71,588
Production
of the 1956 Mercury Montclair
Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton:
- Convertible: 7,762
- Hardtop Sport Coupe: 50,562
- Phaeton
Hardtop Sedan: 23,493
Specifications
of the 1955-1956 Mercury Montclair
Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton:
Wheelbase,
inches: 119.0
Length,
inches: 206.3
Weight,
pounds: 3,490-3,725
Price,
new: $2,630-$2,900 (U.S.)
Engines
for the 1955-1956 Mercury Montclair
Hardtop/Convertible/Phaeton:
TypeSize Horsepower Years ohv
V-8 292 198 1955ohv
V-8312225/3351956
Want more information about classic cars? See:
- Classic Cars
- Mercury Muscle Cars
- Muscle Cars
- Sports Cars
- Consumer Guide Auto
- Consumer Guide Auto Used Car Search