1958 Mercury Montclair Turnpike Cruiser hardtop (Another example)

[cheddyrod]

Nice to see this marque being well taken care of. Before air conditioning those a roll down rear window did add some nice flow through ventilation.

[raconter1]

@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! Yes indeed...back in the 30's there were nice vent wings, fore and aft, and cowl vents too...and I think I remember some cars had manual wind down rear windows...we "made do"! Thanks! :) Jack

[monarch1957]

Hey Jack the pushbutton transmission had a safety feature on it if you accidently hit reverse when driving forward it wouldn't shift over a certain speed saving the transmission I think it was 3 mph or more. No one know how to start those old cars as I had mine in tyhe shop differnt times and they always ask me to start it as they don't know a great theft deterrent.

[raconter1]

@monarch1957 Hey, Barry! That safety feature was a good thing! Chrysler's torqueflite had a similar feature, but I believe the mph was a bit higher. The neutral/start button was pretty unique...but I think Ramblers of the time also had that feature. Always great to confuse a would-be thief! Thanks! :) Jack

[55lincoln]

Jack, I really like these Mercs. Bizarre looking back then but oh so classy now.

[raconter1]

@55lincoln Hey, Warren! Yes indeed...they were dramatic, almost like what you would imagine an inter-stellar craft would be! Thanks! :) Jack

[yellowdrinker]

Hey Jack, you forgot to tell your audience why they're called "love bugs." They are attached "end-to-end" and mate in the air while flying. Odd little things that look like they have a head at each end, but in reality we know what's going on there. Only someone who has moved to Tennessee from Bushnell could understand missing those little things; and yes, they destroy paint jobs (makes you wonder what chemicals are in those things bodies).

[raconter1]

@yellowdrinker That's true...they're frozen in the mating position. They turn acidic when they smash up against moving objects like cars. It really is a mess....and people who don't realize the problem..they'll have a spoiled paint job! (btw...I go to the car show/flea market at the Sumter County Fairgrounds)! Thanks! :) Jack

[gene978]

Hey Jack, So Mercury made a 2dr + a 4dr version of this Far Out car. I can just imagine how expensive this car was brand new. ANd the gimmick that helped sell cars back then. Top Flow Venting. It was so revolutionary and you had to buy it but in future models what happened right? The features that helped cars sell. Back when they all had pretty much 3 body styles. Wagon, Coupe, sedan 1 size fits all. LOL

[raconter1]

@gene978 Hey, Gene! They also made a convertible version in 1957. The two door hardtop was $3498 new...but that was likely a year's salary! I think car companies tried lots of gadgetry back in the day.....pushbutton transmissions seemed so "space age". In the end, a simple lever attached to the steering column or sprouting from the floor would do. Their "dream cars" were meant to stimulate imagination...lots of what they touted never happened..like plastic canopy pods! Thanks! :) Jack

[Seattlecarnut]

Nice looking car. Some of the Mercurys of the late 50s (I think) are better looking than the Fords of the same year.

[raconter1]

@Seattlecarnut Hey, Jason! It is certainly true that Mercury took the bold step of making them quite different from Ford...I am particularly fond of the 56 Mercury...a real classic! Thanks! :) Jack

[Seattlecarnut]

@raconter1 Do you have a video on the 56 Mercury?

[MrBadassandy]

classic. the 50s in classic cars was great. and still is to me

[raconter1]

@MrBadassandy Hey, Andy! They were nothing like anything before or since...true wonders of the time! Thanks! :) Jack