Since me original post has disappeared from Friday I figured I would repost so I can figure what the value on this car is. A friend of mine called me last week wondering if I was interested in buying his 55' mercury, I of coarse said yes. In all my years of looking in back yards, barns, and the north 40 I have only ran into one 55-56' mercury. This car was overheated in 68', parked where its sits. Some trim missing, interior is mostly there but in rough shape, auto trans leaked severely according to PO. I crawled under the car today to check the floors, from the bottom side they look good. Now all I have to do is figure out what the car is worth, any mercury guys or anyone for that matter have an idea on the value of these? Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk
I think this is the thread I was replying to when we went down, I remember one guy estimating 6k but I also seem to remember a couple more that said around 1500 or so which sounds more realistic to me but what do I know??? I was commenting on the other stuff around it the last time
Cool looking Merc. What is the top side of the floors like, in the passenger compartment? The trunk floor looks great.
I would suggest looking at sold listings on eBay. Several have sold in the last couple of weeks and that should give you some ballpark figures for what buyers are actually paying.
I was surprised by the trunk also, factory paint on most of it. I was able to see the floor to rocker seam on the inside, factory paint there also. The PO says he had the original wheels, hub caps, and most of the missing trim. I did notice today when I popped the hood that the heater box and all its contents are gone though. Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk
I found this 55' montclair last fall about 5 miles from where the monterey sits. I think it would make a good parts car for the monterey due to the roof/panel damage. Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk
Whoever parked a 13 year old car like that and just let it sit outside in the elements to deteriorate for 49 years certainly doesn't deserve to get much for it after all that time!
I think those are beautiful cars and can be made into a mild custom so easily...like others said I'd be cautious about what you pay for one. Whatever you end up paying..might be hard to find someone who want to buy it from you if you decide to bail. One of the better looking mid 50s cars in my opinion...they just never caught on..
I'd say $1-2K, depending on how much trim is there and what's missing, also how much rust. Keep in mind Mercury parts can sometimes be much harder to find compared to a Ford, and you won't find much in the way of repo parts. Mechanically it's more or less a Ford, although there are some differences. They do make great customs, and they're uncommon enough that you won't see yourself at every show.
Those are good looking cars. Look close at the frame under the passenger compartment. If I remember correctly, there is strap riveted to the bottom of the rails there, like there is on a convertible or Crown Victoria. They like to rust there, and it's kinda hard to see. Sorry, I have no idea on the value.
My buddy, much older than myself, has sold me most of his car collection over the years due to financial hardships of one kind or another. Most of the cars shared the same story, something went wrong with the car such as overheated, hit a deer, trans slipping ect. I have kept all but the worst of them. Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk
The yellow vehicle to the left I believe is a late 40's early 50's military or commercial delivery type. Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk
I paid more than a 53 Stude Coupe was worth, but about what they seemed to be bringing, the Stude is a money pit, but...........it was what I wanted, you can't take money with you (assuming you are not taking food out of your children's mouth), if you want it and can get it under $2K (probably a bargain) why not, I have fond memories of riding in the back seat of two 55 Mercs (a Monterey and a Montclaire) with two friends, I was the youngest and got sent to the back. They should have treated me better, I introduced them to their wives of over 50 years.........yep, good memories.
I think a thousand or less. There is a lot of work to be done there even if it isn't that rusty. Put 10K in it and it would be worth 10K.
Before you buy it do a little research and find out how difficult it is to find 55-56 Merc parts in good, usable condition. Your friend has discovered his Merc is a money pit. The chrome plating costs along will be astronomical. Plus, the 40's and mid 50's cars are depreciating quite rapidly these days. Save more money and buy one of these. https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/mercury/montclair http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/quicksearch.cfm?Category=1,2,3,4,6,8&Make=Mercury&Model=&Year1=1955&Year2=1956&Price1=&Price2=&Zip=&Distance=0&SearchText=&SearchButton=Search&SearchRun=1&SO=7 https://cars.oodle.com/1956-mercury/for-sale/
Well in '68 when it was parked in good running condition it was a 350-500 dollar. Go from there. I personally like 'em. but I am a goof ball
Wasn't the Jade Idol built from a 55 or 56 Merc? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forums/the-hokey-ass-message-board.5/
If they are like the Fords of the same vintage, look at the front cross member. They were prone to rust thru. Doesn't matter much why it was parked in 1968. I wasn't worth fixing at the time or it would have been fixed. It was parked in the field. Now it is a field car. It was picked for parts. It is a rather complete parts car at this point in time. The glass will be shot at the places where it ran down all the time. I would not want to pay more than $1000 for it and would think it should really be worth more around $4.00/hundred. Only thing making it worth more is that it is a 50's car, if it was a '90's car you would haul it away for free.
I saw one in similar shape sell down here in Florida for $800 a few years back... haven't seen one since. I would say that $600-$1000 would be a good guess, depending on rust and whether the engine was seized.
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