1953 Mercury Monterey

- Arizona Car
- 255ci Flathead V8 bored .30 over
- Automatic Transmission
- Side Pipes and Shaved Door Handles
- Classic Merc Hot Rod

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1953 Mercury Monterey on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 145 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“The (Mercury) name was selected by Edsel Ford, the only son of Henry. Mercury was the winged messenger and the god of commerce according to Roman mythology, symbolizing speed, skill, dependability, and eloquence.” – Classics and Beyond, “History of Mercury Automobiles”

Hagerty gives some '53 Mercury history: “Ford completely redesigned its cars for 1952 (continued on the '53 models), including the Mercury lineup, and the cars now sported a taller, square shape with larger greenhouse. Front and rear glass was now curved, keeping up with the modernization of design, and an entirely new grille and brightwork were employed. The Mercury L-head eight-cylinder engine still displaced 255 cubic inches, but now produced 125 hp. For the first time in its two-year existence, the Monterey became its own model. … Mercury Monterey(s) could now be ordered in more body styles, with a convertible and a sedan joining the popular… coupe. The sedan was priced at $2,115, while the coupe cost $2,225. In all, 24,453 Monterey coupes were sold and 5,261 convertibles.”

Offered here is a 1953 Mercury 2-door hardtop in Bittersweet (orange) and white over the same two hues inside. This Arizona car has been well preserved, refreshed, and respectfully customized to serve as a reliable road car and a stunning show star. The overall look is of a period-correct custom build. The car's current odometer reading is 105,514 miles, or just over 1,500 miles per-year since new.

The design of the car's exterior reflects the exuberance of early-Fifties America. Not over-the-top, as some cars that would appear later in the decade, but rather a presence and flair that exuded stylish optimism. In this case, the combination Bittersweet orange under a white hardtop paint choice was perfect, and the condition of the refreshed paint finish across the entire body (as well as under-hood area, door jambs, and trunk interior) has been very well maintained. There is no obvious damage to any sheet metal panel. Rear fender skirts add to the sleek, horizontal flow of the basic design. Custom laker-style side exhaust pipes add flair. Exuberant—but not excessive—stock chrome brightwork, including the lower-front bumper, hood-scoop trim, bodyside trim, and cabin-glass trim, is in excellent condition overall, with very light and limited patina from age). The Monterey's beautiful sloping rear deck, chrome-surrounded taillights (with “blue dot” inserts), and “Mercury”-embossed chrome bumper make for an attractive rear-end combination. Dual exhaust tips are the final chrome signature. Cabin glass, including the curved windshield and rear window, is clear and undamaged; lighting lenses are clear as well. Emblems, badging, and exterior door handles have been removed from the body for a “shaved” look. Wide whitewall tires are mounted on the stock, orange-painted steel wheels with faux-spinner-style chrome full wheel covers.

Inside, it's clear the car's overall stock look has been maintained. Stylish original trim has been maintained throughout. Door trim, for example, incorporates (from top to bottom) body-color painted metal, orange cloth, chrome trim, and white vinyl in a delightful combination. Vertically pleated white seat upholstery is trimmed in orange. Cabin floors are covered in black carpeting (which continues with the same professional installation in the trunk). The driver's view through the stock steering wheel (with delicate horn ring and Mercury-logo center) is another perfect-Fifties design statement. A half-circle 110-mph speedometer is flanked by aircraft-like pull-levers for heating and ventilation, and the entire dashboard metal surface matches the exterior paint. (Auxiliary engine-monitoring gauges have been added below the dash as they might well have been back in the day.) The shifter for the automatic transmission is column-mounted. The center-dash features the radio speaker and an analog clock above the original, factory-installed AM radio (with chrome “flame” appliques added). Every surface in the cabin is free of wear or other damage. The signature of the professional who is responsible for the refreshed paintwork appears on the glovebox.

Under the hood, the 255-cubic-inch flathead V8 (bored .030 over) occupies a very clean and tidy engine bay. Twin 2-barrel carburetors with individual air cleaners rise above the engine. Chrome bits add style, and the flathead valve cover design is striking. All hoses and wiring are properly routed. Viewed from below, the chassis is complete and undamaged. The dual, full-length, performance exhaust pipes with cutouts for the side pipes are a focal point.

The car's factory-mounted data and identification plate remains in place.

While the more than 145 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '53 Merc in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

America was a different place in the Fifties. The War was over, incomes were rising, suburbia was just beginning, and people were decidedly optimistic. They knew things would only get better and cars like this '53 Mercury Monterey expressed all that perfectly. And you know what? They still do.