A pure American classic the Mercury Montclair was a model that was only produced for a short time. When this car was ordered by the first owner they fitted about every option they could, this would have put it on par with a similar Cadillac of the time.
Just imagine rolling up onto your driveway behind the wheel of this beautiful Mercury Montclair. It was privy to a body off restoration in the past it is still in remarkable condition today both inside and out. zmUjIUlEpCL2ap4SbEwf5V1ggDzDg73Qdf6d2y3t.jpg942.32 KB
The History and Paperwork
First hitting the highways in 1956 this Montclair lived a happy life in the states
Whoever ordered this car new went to town on the options list
Power steering, power brakes, power windows, and power seats were all selected
All of these features still work today
Whilst still state side it went through a comprehensive restoration
The frame was sent off and the body was seen to
Its 312 V8 was rebuilt
As was the automatic transmission
All of the chrome was replaced, and the stainless steel portions buffed
The car was restored some 18,000 miles ago
It was first registered in the UK in 2009
Spending time with an enthusiast on the Isle of Wight it came to Norfolk in 2021
It has since been looked after by another passionate owner
Now it’s your chance to get behind the wheel of this stunning classic
The car will come with a box of assorted spare parts
If you think the outside of this Montclair looks good, then just wait until you get inside. Upon opening one of the two doors you are presented with an interior that is in incredible condition.
In the front portion of the cabin, there is a bench seat that spans the width of the car, the back is split in two to aid with the ingress and egress of the rear section. As you can probably tell from the pictures of the front bench seat it is in very good condition and just waiting for you to hop in. This condition is very much mirrored by the rear seats too.
One small feature that may go amiss in the rear can be found just above the central portion. When the doors are open the Mercury logo will illuminate and provide a soft warm glow.
If we return to the front of the cab, there are some extra features to explore that make this car feel newer than it is. All of the windows are electrically controlled and go up and down as they should. The front bench seat is also electrically operated. When you compare this to an English contemporary it's almost space-age technology.
All of the switchgear found on the art deco dashboard is lovely to interact with. The large steering wheel is a pleasure to interact with and thanks to its power steering makes any drive a pure joy.
Other, sometimes overlooked, details such as the headlining, door cards, and carpets are also in very good condition.
Popping the ‘trunk’ reveals a massive space for whatever you may want to carry, it is currently lined and very tidy indeed. You will also find the spare wheel and jack in the boot.
Overall, the interior of this Montclair is in very good condition. If you study the photos in great detail there may be some small areas that aren’t concours condition, but there doesn’t appear to be any areas that will need costly repairs. It really is ready for you to hop in and go.
As soon as you set eyes on this Montclair you will fall in love with all it has to offer. Finished in a striking coral like orange and white combination it really stands out from the crowd wherever you go.
We can’t talk about the exterior of this Montclair without mentioning all of the brightwork that adorns every panel. During its restoration, the chrome items were all replaced, and they have since been cared for properly, this has resulted in beautifully shiny chrome with only minor areas of pitting on the rear bumper. It’s not just chrome on the exterior, a lot of it is stainless steel, once again this was all seen to during the restoration and still retains a perfect reflection.
If chrome isn’t enough Americana for you in one car then you’ll be very happy to see that the car sits on a matching set of period-correct white wall tyres. These are then further enhanced with the shiny hubcaps that are fitted.
Much like the interior, there are quite a few optional extras fitted to the exterior of this car. These include the twin spotlights/mirrors fitted to the front wings, rear wheel spats, and Mercury wheel spinners.
As the car was subject to a full body-off restoration the underside appears to be in good condition. A quick visual inspection was undertaken during the photoshoot with some of these photos available in the galley below.
Recently the car has had new glass fitted all round with new rubber seals are well. These should be good for many years to come.
Overall, the exterior of this Montclair is in very good condition indeed. Wherever you wish to park/display this slice of 1950s America it will always draw a crowd of admiring fans.
Lots of new parts were fitted during the restoration
You might be unsurprised to hear that the mechanical condition of this Mercury is also very good. Upon arriving for the photo shoot, the car started straight up, producing a lovely burble from the exhaust, it was then taken down the road to the location.
During the short drive, the car performed as it should with no undue drivetrain noises. The automatic gearbox responded well and shifted gear when it was supposed to. Thanks to this easy-to-use transmission any drive out in this classic will be a pleasure.
During the restoration, there were a few new parts fitted, along with some original parts being rebuilt. These parts include the brake lines, fuel lines, wheel cylinders, brake master cylinder, brake pads, fuel pump, generator, and starter motor. All of this work was carried out around 10,000 miles ago so most of the parts should have some good life left in them.
Here in the UK, you don’t get many opportunities to set eyes on a car like this, let alone the opportunity to own one. Thanks to the previous work completed this Mercury is ready to start its new life with you in the driving seat.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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