1956 Mercury Montclair Coupe

1956 Mercury Montclair Coupe
Chassis no. 164CK56-177578
312ci OHV V8 Engine
Single 4-Barrel Carburetor
258bhp at 4,600rpm
3-Speed Merc-O-Matic Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension with Coil Springs, Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Beautifully restored
*Strong V8 engine
*Great color combination
*Sure to be a star at any Cars and Coffee

THE MERCURY MONTCLAIR

The full-sized Montclair was Mercury's Top of the line series for 1956, and its two-door hardtop coupe was the top of that line. "Long and low" was how Montclairs were described in a factory brochure. Powered by a 312-inch "Y-block" V8 with a four-barrel carb, its 258 horsepower fed through a three-speed automatic. It could travel both urban streets and Interstates with aplomb and contemporary tests showed it capable of sub-10-second sprints to 60 and a top speed over just over a hundred miles an hour. Montclairs were adorned with a lot of chrome, with a long, distinctive "Lightning Bolt"-shaped spear along each flank, usually set off by contrasting paint colors above and below. They effect was spectacular, to say the least. There was a new three-tiered instrument panel and a deep-dish steering wheel, introduced as Ford began to emphasize its new occupant safety effort. Both the windshield and backlight were wrap-around glass. Ford records show that Mercury built more than 50 thousand Montclairs in 1956, making it the company's best-selling model. They had a base price of $2765, but such options as an automatic transmission, power steering, an AM signal-seeking radio, and tinted glass would have added to the bottom line. One special, rarely-seen version was the Sun Valley, with a dark green-tinted Plexiglas panel that comprised the front half of the roof.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This is one of the prettiest 1956 Mercuries we have ever seen. With its stunning two-tone color combination of Persimmon Orange and White with a black and white vinyl interior, this Montclair two-door hardtop should stop traffic wherever it appears. It is fitted with rear fender skirts, a popular look for the day, along with whitewall tires and full wheel covers. Nicely restored as presented, it would need very little to bring its appearance to full show condition.