1956 Mercury Monterey Sedan

This 1956 Mercury Monterey four-door sedan has been one-family-owned for 65 years and received a mechanical rebuild 3,000 miles ago, powered by a rebuilt 312ci V8 coupled with a 3-speed Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission. This sedan was manufactured in February of its model year and has been largely garage kept since, having been owned by the seller for 19 years and having been treated to a full restoration in the early 2000s. Finished in Persimmon with a London Gray Metallic top over a reupholstered black and cream vinyl interior, this Monterey is now offered with original sales documentation, restoration photos, an extra set of hubcaps, and more, with a clear North Carolina title in the seller’s name.

The Monterey model first debuted in 1950 as a high-end coupe in the Mercury Eight series, and in 1952 it became a standalone nameplate. The 1955 model year brought about some additional design changes and the Monterey full-sized car became slotted just below the Montclair. This 1956 Monterey is configured in a four-door sedan body style and was repainted in its original Persimmon color as part of an older restoration in 2003, having been garage-kept since. The work performed at the time applied refinished brightwork while retaining the original floor pans and mostly rust-free steel. The seller reports a dime-sized and superficial rust spot on the bottom of the passenger side front fender. The door seals need to be replaced per the seller, but replacement parts are included with the sale.

Steel 15” wheels with polished covers are mounted to wide whitewall tires. The drum braking system has been upgraded with power boosters.

The bench seats were reupholstered in two-tone black and cream vinyl, with matching colors carried through to the door panels, dash, and all-black carpeting. Amenities include an AM/FM radio, a deep-dish steering wheel, electric windshield wipers, and an analog clock. The trunk is lined with a mat and contains a whitewall spare tire in a recessed compartment, along with associated jack equipment.

Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer along with accompanying gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 79k miles, which is the actual mileage.

The rebuilt 312ci Y-block V8 features a four-barrel Holley 650-cfm carburetor and an electric fuel pump, accruing fewer than 3,000 miles since being overhauled. This powertrain carried a factory rating of 210 horsepower at 4,600 rpm when new, and an oil change was performed in spring 2021. Power is directed to the rear wheels via a rebuilt 3-speed Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission with a rebuilt rear end.

Additional undercarriage photos can be found in the gallery. 

The sale includes an original bill of sale and title, restoration documentation, door seals, and an extra set of hubcaps.