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:Type Size Horsepower Years ohv
V-8 292 198 1955 ohv
V-8 312 225/335 1956
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