Меркури Монтклер: История Модели (1955-1959)

The 292 cubic inch V8 was replaced by a 225 hp 312. Starting in 1956 an optional dual 4 barrel carburetor version provided The 3 speed manual or the optional 3 speed Merc O Matic automatic transmission continued, while an additional Touch O Matic overdrive was offered separately.

For 1955, the Montclair model line offered the Sun Valley, succeeding the Monterey Sun Valley from 1954. In line with the Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner, the front half of the roof was a tinted Plexiglas panel; in contrast to the pillared Skyliner, the Sun Valley was a hardtop. While transparent roofs had been a styling feature of multiple 1950s concept cars (including the Lincoln Futura), the design as a production feature was not widely accepted by consumers, who found interior heat buildup in the vehicle during the summer unacceptable, particularly as air conditioning was not offered as a factory supplied option until 1956. In total, only 1,787 Sun Valleys were produced.

For 1957, Mercury again revised its sedan line, with the Montclair becoming its mid range offering, now slotted below the newly introduced Turnpike Cruiser. Mercurys grew in size, shifting to a 122 inch wheelbase, adopting a perimeter style frame, designed to accommodate a lower, wider body which allowed for a lower floor, and elevating all Mercury products above the new Edsel. The model line underwent a revision, as the Montclair four door pillared sedan now shared its roofline with the Monterey. Alongside the two door hardtop, a four door hardtop was introduced, with both versions now designated as Montclair Phaetons; a Montclair convertible was offered. The 312 V8 was carried over from 1956, retuned to 255 hp. From the Turnpike Cruiser, the 368 cubic inch V8 was offered as an option, producing 290 hp. For 1958, the Montclair remained the mid level Mercury, now slotted below the newly introduced Mercury Park Lane, with the Turnpike Cruiser returning as a Montclair trim level (including its larger windshield and retractable rear window). The 312 V8 was replaced by a 383 cubic inch V8, producing 330 hp; as a special order option, a 430 cubic inch "Super Marauder" V8, producing 400 hp (the first American series produced engine to reach that output level) was offered.

The Mercury model line underwent a ground up redesign for 1959, as the Montclair expanded to a 126 inch wheelbase. Following the cancellation of the Edsel Corsair and Edsel Citation (which shared bodies with Mercury), the division used a body and chassis exclusive to the division (for the first time since 1940). The Phaeton and Turnpike Cruiser trims were discontinued, along with the convertible, with the Montclair model line pared down to a four door pillared sedan, along with two door and four door hardtops. Across the Mercury line, hardtops were styled as a Cruiser semi fastback, including a larger compound curve rear window (replacing the retractable design of the Turnpike Cruiser). The Super Marauder V8 was discontinued, with the 383 V8 (retuned to 322 hp) becoming the only engine. In another change, automatic transmissions became standard on the Montclair;), the Multi Drive dual range transmission remained an option. One of the largest cars ever produced by the Mercury division, the 1959 Montclair was criticized by owners for lack of interior room (relative to its size), poor fuel economy, and its windshield design. For 1960, Mercury sedan underwent their second major exterior revision in two years, adopting more restrained styling (nearly removing the tailfins altogether). The Montclair Cruiser two door and four door hardtops were carried over, along with the four door Montclair sedan. The 1964 Mercurys underwent a minor facelift, as a convex grille replaced the previous concave design, an appearance shared with the 1961 Thunderbird and the 1961 Lincoln Continental. As with the previous generation, the Montclair was offered in four door sedan and two door and four door hardtop designs. On hardtops, two rooflines were offered, the notchback "Breezeway" configuration (with a reverse slant retractable rear window) or a notchback "Marauder" configuration; all four door Montclair pillared sedans had the Breezeway roof. Optional versions of the 390 produced 300 or 330 hp; a 427 cubic inch V8 was offered with either 410 or 425 hp. The only full size Mercury not sold as a convertible, the Montclair was offered as a four door sedan and two door and four door hardtop. In a marketing change, the Marauder name was dropped from the non Breezeway roofline; in a minor restyling, the two door hardtop received an update to its roofline which was identical to the Ford Galaxie 500. The Montclair received two new optional engines, including a 330 hp 410 cubic inch V8 (shared with the Park Lane) and a 345 hp 428 cubic inch V8 (shared with the S 55); all three engines were offered with an automatic transmission. For 1967 and 1968, Montclair hardtops once again were the same as those on the big Ford; however they were now based on the 1967 luxury LTD series. The Breezeway retractable rear window made its return, redesigned to fit within the standard roofline (now opening only several inches to supplement flow through ventilation). For 1968, the Montclair underwent additional revision. Along with revisions to the front and rear fascia to accommodate federally mandated side market lights, the roofline of the two door hardtop was again revised, closer in line with the newly introduced Cougar and Marquis.

Following the 1968 model year, Mercury discontinued the Montclair nameplate for the second time. In line with its strategy at the beginning of the 1960s, Mercury consolidated its full size range onto the Monterey and the newly released Marquis was expanded to a full range of body styles, taking over for the Park Lane/Park Lane Brougham. To fill in for the price range of the Montclair, Mercury introduced the Monterey Custom trim level for 1969, lasting through 1974.