Collector Car Corner
By Greg Zyla
Mercury for 1955 and 1956
Q: I'm in need of some info on the differences between a 1955 and a 1956 Mercury. Thanks, have fun cruise and cruise on. F.S., via email.
A: F.S., there is one major difference, but let's start with the models. In 1955, Mercury restyled its car and underwent its first wheelbase stretch since pre-war 1941 when it went from 118 to 119 inches on the cars. The wagons all stayed the same at 118. Three models were offered, namely Custom, Monterey and Montclair. The station wagon was available only on the Custom and Monterey lines. Only one V8 engine was offered in two horsepower offerings, specifically a 292 incher with 288 horses in Custom and Monterey and 298 in the Montclair models. The price range for 1955 included a low retail of $2,218 for the 2-door Custom to a high of $2,712 for the Montclair Sun Valley hardtop coupe or the Montclair Convertible (both the same). The Monterey Wagon, however, was most expensive at $2,844, and sales for the year were good at over 329,000 units.In 1956, some minor exterior tweaking took place and the engines were increased to 312 inches, increasing both bore and stroke. A new model, a lower cost Medalist, joined the group again on the 119-inch wheelbase for cars and 118 for wagons. The cheapest of the bunch was the Medalist 2-door, which went for $2,254 while the Montclair Convertible jumped to $2,900. Still, it was the Monterey Wagon that brought the most greenbacks to Mercury, with a $2,977 retail price. New was a Phaeton model 2-door hardtop across all four lines, and sales were again very good at 328,000 cars sold in what was an inflationary time and not a great year for sales. Matter of fact, inflation carved into the Medalist, which was supposed to be a lower cost alternative for Mercury owners. Still, the consumer went more for the Monterey and Montclair models. Personally, I loved the 1955 and 1956 Mercury cars and wagons, as my uncle worked in Metuchen, New Jersey, at the Mercury assembly plant. I used to love seeing all those brand new Mercury cars lined up outside that plant when he would take my brother and I for a ride. Overall, the 1955 and 1956 Mercurys were crisper and more modern in design than the 1954 Mercury, which, I must add, was a nice design, too.The biggest change between the two years was Mercury going from a 6-volt electrical system (generator) with positive ground in 1955 to a 12-volt (alternator) system with negative ground in 1956. The 1956 model also had a deep-dish steering wheel for added "safety." Hope this all helps.
(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist who welcomes reader questions on anything automotive. Write him at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848 or email him at extramile_2000@yahoo.com).
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Update: Mercury changed from 6 volt to 12 volt but still used the generator.
ReplyDeleteGreg Zyla
Update from Greg: Sorry for the miscue, but thanks to a fan of my columns, I've been informed that although Mercury changed from a 6 volt to a 12 volt in 1956, they kept the generator as it was not yet an alternator.The alternator did not come into common usage on domestic vehicles until several years later in the early 60's. I'm also 100 horses off on the high side on the horsepower ratings for the 292 in 1955, should be 188 and 198--a typo. Thanks to reader Larry Tanzer, who's father was a Lincoln Mercury dealer at the time.
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