West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and great daily driving and completely rust free and mostly all original example of this reportedly original southern California and later Arizona state 1955 Mercury Monterey 2 Door Hardtop Coupe with its 292/188HP V8 engine in beautiful and striking two-tone color 'Neptune Green over Alaska White' paint with a gorgeous condition and mostly all original and unrestored, apart from the correctly reupholstered vinyl and cloth seats, in matching 'Green & White,' interior. The car had factory options including the 292/188HP V8 engine, a Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission, vinyl & cloth upholstery, electric clock, horn ring, chrome window surround moldings, full length body side stainless trim, rear fender skirts, heater & defroster, AM radio, power steering, power brakes, road lamps, hubcaps and whitewall tires!
The Mercury Monterey Coupe was forever immortalized in 1949 by James Dean in 'Rebel without a Cause' and then the following year was chosen as the official Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500, and with good reason - big, imposing and expensive and a standout amongst 1950's American cars for both exceptional and unique styling and sound engineering and performance, coupled with solid construction and a high quality fit and finish, the Mercury Monterey was a top-of-the-line sub-series in 1952 before becoming a line of its own for 1953-54. Ford's flathead V8 continued until 1954 with the company's introduction of the all new 292 'Y' block overhead valve V8 with a five-main-bearing crankshaft and a standard 4 barrel carburetor, also to be used in the Ford Thunderbird. The Monterey was available as a convertible, sedan, a pillar-less coupe and station wagon.
Introduced by Lincoln some years earlier was the striking image of a visible rear spare wheel resting on the trunk lid and extended bumpers, otherwise known as the optional "Continental kit". This option was welcome since it refined the look of the Mercury without overbearing its classic lines which until 1956 deliberately ignored the fifties fashion for fins, making it a very unique looking car for its era.
This particular example is exceptionally rare and unusual, firstly as an obviously always garaged southern California and later Arizona state (with designated historical Arizona plates) example with no signs or history of any accidents or rust ever and with it being possible that the car may have only some 26K original miles! The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are solid and rust-free. The car has a beautiful and very professional repaint in a striking 'Neptune Green over Alaska White' two-tone color paint scheme and has a beautiful matching two tone 'Green & White' matching cloth and vinyl correctly restored with correct original material interior with all its original factory instrumentation intact including the original 'AM' radio, all of which are is in quite exceptional and original specification condition throughout. All the chrome has been recently re-chromed where required (front bumper and hood ornament) and the car's original Y block 292 V8 engine was reportedly rebuilt under its previous ownership.
The 292/188HP V8 engine is extremely strong and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent and this particular car also drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be believed - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money! The transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the car is an absolute pleasure to drive! The car was recently fully serviced at our 'AAA' rated Santa Monica mechanics, 'Morejoy Automotive' and the car is turn key ready to drive today.
This is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to own a great daily driving and mostly all original, only restored where required over the years, and completely rust free 1955 Mercury Monterey 2 Door Hardtop Coupe in a very striking two-tone color combination and beautiful matching interior! A true all American classic car for the Mercury enthusiast or simply any classic car enthusiast to enjoy today!
