1956 Mercury Monterey Montclair 2-Door Hardtop

OVERVIEW:This 1956 Mercury Montclair represents Mercury's top-of-the-line model in '56, and the 2 door Hardtop Coupe was that year's most popular offering with a total of 50,562 units produced.  1956 was also the year that V8 Mercury cars won five NASCAR Grand National races.

 

   This particular Merc's history takes it back to an early life in the dry climate of Arizona, followed by a number of years spent in Idaho, with its last 27 years here in our similarly dry climate of southern Alberta.  This lifetime in the western dry belt has kept this car solid and free of any significant rust problems.Body and paint restoration done by the previous owner has held up extremely well, and over the last 12 years the present owner has tended to a rebuild of the original engine and upgrades such as a 4-core rad, Edelbrock 4 bbl. carb, alternator, and a C4 transmission.The car also received a new interior.

 

  Apart from those items mentioned, the car retains a high degree of originality with no major modifications, and has proven to be a reliable roadworthy car over the several thousand miles he has enjoyed it.  Current odometer reading is near 25,300 miles.

  This hardtop is very presentable and requires nothing to be driven and enjoyed.  It is nicely dressed with a full continental kit, factory skirts, correct spinner caps, Mercury spotlight, and headlamp brows.  It is a car that draws attention at show & shines due to its classy lines, roomy elegance, striking color, and wonderful curb appeal.

 

  This listing provides many more details as you scroll thru.  Near the end of this listing under Payment Terms you will find a link to a photo album of 215 pictures, and a brief startup video.

    As of this writing, the US-Canada border is open to Americans wishing to come into Canada with proof of vax.  We are also able to ship cars into the USA from Canada by way of commercial carrier and can assist with all those arrangements.

 

     

DRIVETRAIN:The 312 ci. OHV V8 engine was factory rated at 225 hp. and has been professionally rebuilt.  It starts easily, sounds good, runs strong and does not smoke.  It has had a conversion to allow a spin-on oil filter.

 

   New hood springs have been installed.Under hood upgrades include an electric cooling fan ahead of the new 4-core rad using the original dent free tank, an overflow reservoir, an Edelbrock carb with chrome air cleaner, and alternator.All other mechanical components on and around the engine appear and function in good condition.The engine compartment is very complete, presentable and tidy, and the engine is very clean with detailed valve covers.  All new belts and hoses are evident.

 

   Transmission has been upgraded to a smooth shifting C4 3-speed automatic, no leaks.  New U-joints evident.No unusual sounds coming from the rear diff, serviced as required and no signs of a leaky pinion seal.The underside of the drivetrain is overall dry with no notable leaks beyond a single sweat drip as usual.

 

         

CHASSIS:These Mercs run on a 118 inch wheelbase. The frame is very solid and straight with no evidence of collision damage or rust issues.The complete front end was been re-conditioned by its previous owner with new front coil springs, wheel bearings, rubber bushings, tie rod ends, and wheel alignment.Factory rear leaf spring maintain a positive arch, and the car has a proper stance.

 

   Factory power steering in good condition with no excessive free play and no leaks beyond a sweat drip on the ram.The factory power brake system is in good condition and the booster has been rebuilt.The dual exhaust system is in good condition with no leaks.  It has that nice sound provided by the ‘blue bottle' mufflers coming out the chrome extensions.Fuel tank appears solid and in good condition.

 

   The running tires are a matched set of Good Year P215/75R15 Custom Super Cushion radials in very good condition, mounted on steel rims sporting correct wheel covers.The spare is a non-matching bias ply wide white, with sewn cover.  Jack included.

 

         

BODY & PAINT:Undercarriage floor pans, inner and outer rockers, body mounts, door bottoms, trunk pan, drop down panels, and spare tire well are all very solid with no evidence of rust issues or previous rust repairs.  It retains original factory protective coatings and simply shows the road dust and grime of its miles.It appears that this was a very straight and solid car prior to its restoration.

 

   The restoration of the body and paint was done over 20 years ago and the car still presents itself beautifully.There is no evidence of any collision damage, fit and alignment of all body panels is good.  All body panels are very straight.

 

  The paint work on the car is very nice, smooth with good shine.  Although it is hardly noticeable, the owner pointed out that the fender skirts are a shade out in color from the body due to having been painted at a different time and under different conditions.

 

   Apart from a very few minor rock and door edge chips, the finish is in excellent shape.  The only blemishes found are a couple of small match head size blisters at the front bottom corner of the right door, which have not gotten any bigger in over a decade.With over 20 years passed since body and paint were done, any other rust issues or inferior repairs would have surfaced by now, none have, this is a solid car and should have no hidden surprises.

 

  Only 2 light, soft dimples found anywhere on the body, both very negligible. One is on the right front fender several inches back from the headlamp, the other on the face of the continental cover.  Neither one cracked the paint.  A professional could likely massage both out without having to paint, and buff out the scuff mark.

 

         

INTERIOR:The present owner had the interior professionally redone and it is in excellent condition.  The seat covers, door and side panels are all new showing no wear.  The rear seat has a fold down arm rest/divider, and a chrome panel with Mercury emblem which lights up with the courtesy lights, although bulb appears burnt out at time of viewing.Peripheral rear speaker boxes on rear seat are covered to match interior.

 

   The doors have new weatherstrips and glass sweepers.The dash is painted and looks good.  All interior chrome is in very nice condition.  The steering wheel remains unrestored, has some cracks, and sports a cover.  Original horn ring and ‘power steering' button.

 

   A larger review mirror is overlaid on top of the original and is removable.The headliner is a pin-hole vinyl, no rips or holes.  Carpets are good but are soiled and show some wear at drivers feet.

 

  All glass on the car including the windshield is good, although there are two little chips on the right side of the windshield, both have been resin repaired to prevent running.

 

  New seal on trunk lid, inside is carpeted with cover for spare, has a mounted fire extinguisher.  Trunk pan clean and solid under mat.

 

       

ELECTRICAL:New 12 volt battery and alternator, and wiring is original in good serviceable condition.  All electrical components are operational including the clock, but the original Town & Country radio has a very sensitive volume control and can be very loud.

 

   The car will start in Neutral or Drive shifter positions but not in Park, suspect may need neutral safety switch.Original gauges are operational and appear in good condition.  There is some minor checking of the plastic lens, and lettering on heat and vent controls is somewhat faded.Speedometer and odometer work but the needle is partially broken off, can be seen moving in odometer window but does not extend up to mph numbers.

 

   Aftermarket tachometer and oil pressure gauge installed to the left of the steering column, not working since ‘young fellow' hooked up the red toggle.  Chrome button next to them is for windshield washer, red toggle is for electric cooling fan ahead of rad.  These appear to be the only non-original additions to the interior.Plastic lenses on the car appear in good condition.

 

     

BRIGHTWORK:The chrome on the car is in very nice condition.  The bumpers have been nicely re-chromed to show quality and are straight with no damage.The car sports the optional rear bumper guards with over-riders, with equally beautiful chrome work.

 

   All pot metal on the car is in very nice original condition.  The pot metal hood ornaments, Montclair fender scripts, trunk handle, and tail light housings still have very good chrome and shine with virtually no pitting.Driver side remote control spot light with mirror is in very nice condition.

 

   Right fender crest emblem is nice with good colors, left one has some fading and red color loss.Trunk emblem has some crazing cracks.

 

   The stainless trim on the car is complete, and in really nice condition.  All the roof and belt line moldings, window surrounds, and side stainless are straight and dent free.Only a couple of very small pings are noted, lower left windshield molding, and rear window right vertical molding.One notable ding at top of left quarter ribbed molding.

 

   Rocker stainless moldings have some minor dings but no holes drilled, and lower quarter stone shields show a bit of gravel rash.Nice correct original spinner style wheelcovers, good original emblems with a little bit of color loss or fading.

 

   

SUMMARY:If a sleek 50's hardtop cruiser turns your crank, then this is your opportunity to bring one home.This Merc will have you enjoying cruise nights without the time and expense of a major restoration.  Road ready and reliable, it's perfect to cruise and show, or grocery run.

  While it remains in stock condition, its external appointments and flowing lines give it the look of a mild custom.  The broad appeal of Mercury cars, and the never ending interest in and admiration of mid 50's hardtops will help secure your investment.

   Now well into his retirement years, the owner is not getting it out as much as he used to and feels the car needs to be enjoyed rather than stored, as such he has decided to make it available to its next caretaker.It is being offered with a reasonable and market correct reserve.

  The following is a brief start-up video where you can see and hear the engine and exhaust running.

   

1956 Mercury Montclair 2-Door Hardtop Start-Up

Video will open in a new windowUsing the eBay App? Paste link into a browser window:

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PAYMENT TERMS:

This '56 Merc hardtop is being listed on behalf of the owner.  Please email ‘[email protected]' or phone Rick at (403)534-2222 for additional honest and accurate information from a professional auto restorer.  All information listed has been gathered from discussions with the owner, a test drive, and a visual inspection.  A total of 215 pics are available for viewing at www.jpegbay.com/gallery/008439337-.html#0 .  Additional specific pictures are available upon request.   No warranties expressed or implied.  Successful bidder to make a minimum payment of $500. USD within 24 hours of auction closing, with the balance payable within 7 days.Payment must be in certifiable form such as cash or wire transfer.  PayPal for deposit only.  Any deviation from, or changes to the preceding terms must be reasonable, and should be requested, discussed, and agreed to prior to bidding and auction closing.   

IMPORTANT OTHER:

Please submit all inquiries prior to bidding, and please only bid if you are able and willing to conclude the transaction should you be the winning bidder.This vehicle is being sold with a Bill of Sale and current Alberta Vehicle Registration Certificate (title).The car is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, about 3 hours north of the Montana border.  Please be aware of your shipping costs before bidding, quotes can be provided upon request if necessary.  We can help make this a smooth, hassle free experience by arranging all-inclusive international transportation and brokerage for you.  References relating to similar transactions are available. Cars Gone By has sold and shipped numerous collector vehicles to the USA and worldwide, the majority through Ebay transactions.Please do not ask us to disclose the reserve price.  In fairness to all bidders we will not do so and request that you simply place a bid that is comfortable for you.Thanks for looking!   

NOTICE REGARDING BID RETRACTIONS:

Placing a bid to simply uncover the reserve price, or how high another buyer has bid, and then retracting or cancelling the bid is not allowed as it violates Ebay's Invalid Bid Retraction Policy.Such bids are considered as ‘Unwelcome and Malicious Bidding' as they contravene the seller requirements stipulated above, that you only bid with the intent to buy, and that you do not bid without the intent of concluding the transaction.Such bids are not in the spirit of a reserve auction.  They ruin the experience for serious buyers and sellers, can cast doubt on the process and subject vehicle, and are a nuisance to the seller in general.Ebay rules stipulate, if you retract a bid for reason of ‘entered wrong amount', you must re-enter your correct bid amount right away, and that changing your mind does not qualify as entering wrong amount.If you retract your bid as ‘wrong amount' and fail to re-enter your correct amount, your bid will be considered ‘unwelcome and malicious' and it will be immediately reported to Ebay, and they will investigate, and you will be placed on a blocked bidders list.

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