Mercury Turnpike Cruiser

Last updated
Mercury Turnpike Cruiser
1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser (35442133721).jpg
1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser
Overview
Manufacturer Mercury (Ford)
Also calledMercury Convertible Cruiser
Model years 1957–1958
AssemblyMain plant
Wayne, Michigan [1]
(Branch assembly)
St. Louis, Missouri
Pico Rivera, California
Metuchen, New Jersey
Body and chassis
Class Full-size car
Body style 2-door hardtop
4-door hardtop sedan
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Chassis body-on-frame
Related
Powertrain
Engine 368 cu in (6.0 L) Y-Block V8
383 cu in (6.3 L) Marauder V8
430 cu in (7.0 L) Marauder V8
430 cu in (7.0 L) Super Marauder V8
Transmission 3-speed Merc-O-Matic automatic [1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 122 in (3,099 mm) [1]
Length211 in (5,359 mm)
Width79.1 in (2,009 mm)
Height56.5 in (1,435 mm) [1]
Curb weight 4,015 lb (1,821 kg)
Chronology
Successor Mercury Park Lane

The Mercury Turnpike Cruiser is a series of automobiles that were produced by the Mercury division of Ford for the 1957 and 1958 model years. Named to commemorate the creation of the Interstate Highway System, the Turnpike Cruiser was marketed as the flagship Mercury model line, slotted above the Montclair when Mercury was positioned upmarket to luxury status when Edsel was introduced in 1958. [1]

Contents

The Turnpike Cruiser was produced as a luxury two-door and a four-door hardtop sedan. During the 1957 model year, a convertible (called the Convertible Cruiser) was offered on a limited basis, which served as a pace car for the Indianapolis 500 auto race. Mercury fitted the Turnpike Cruiser with a wide variety of advanced features for the time of its production, including a retractable rear window marketed as the "Breezeway", compound-curve windshield, mechanical pushbutton transmission controls and a trip computer. [2] [3] [4]

In total, 23,268 examples of the Turnpike Cruiser were produced over two years. Mercury discontinued the Turnpike Cruiser for the 1958 model year, phasing its content into the Park Lane product line.

Model overview

The Turnpike Cruiser derives its name from the 1956 Mercury XM-Turnpike Cruiser concept car, [5] a two-door hardtop which largely served as a preview of the 1957 Mercury model line. [6] For 1957, the Turnpike Cruiser was offered as the top level Mercury model line, with a similar approach to luxury shared with the updated four passenger second generation Ford Thunderbird. List price was US$3,758 for the coupe ($39,156 in 2022 dollars [7] ), and US$4,103 for the convertible ($42,751 in 2022 dollars [7] ). Outside of Ford, the Turnpike Cruiser and was marketed against the Buick Roadmaster and Oldsmobile 98. [1] The Turnpike Cruiser had a body-on-frame chassis, while the Thunderbird had unibody construction. [1] For 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser was phased into the Montclair line, and the premium top level role was given to the newly introduced Park Lane.

Chassis

The Turnpike Cruiser shared its 122-inch wheelbase, rear-wheel drive, body-on frame chassis with the Monterey and Montclair. [8] Front suspension was independent ball-joint with coil springs, the rear a live axle with leaf springs. [8] Brakes were 11-inch drummed all round. [8]

Edsel adopted a 124-inch wheelbase version of the chassis was for its 1958 model year Corsair and Citation premium model lines.

Powertrain

For 1957, the Turnpike Cruiser was fitted with a 368 cubic-inch, 290 hp V8. [9] Sharing its name with the car, the engine was offered as an option across the rest of the Mercury line. For 1958, two all-new "Marauder" engines were introduced: a 383 cubic-inch, 330 hp V8 was standard (and shared with the Montclair and Colony Park); [10] and a 430 cubic-inch, 360 hp (shared with the Park Lane). [10] [11] An optional triple-two barrel carburetor "Super Marauder" version of the 430 V8 produced 400 hp. [10] [12] [13] Exclusive to Mercury, the Super Marauder was the first factory-produced engine with a 400 hp output, a response to the 375/390 hp 1957 Chrysler 300C.

All Turnpike Cruiser engines were paired with a 3-speed "Merc-O-Matic" automatic. For 1957, Mercury offered pushbutton transmission controls in response to the Chrysler TorqueFlite introduced in 1956. The Mercury control buttons initially offered five buttons and was called "Keyboard Control", with a long button on top labeled "Drive" and four smaller buttons below labeled "Brake", "Neutral Start" (which would allow the engine to start with the ignition key), "Hill Control", and "Reverse". Later versions, relabeled as "Multi-Drive" for 1958, separated the "Drive" button to "Performance" and "Cruising". A separate push/pull lever was included below the control buttons labeled "Park" which would lock out the control buttons until the Park button was pulled to release it. The control panel was installed to the left of the steering wheel. In 1959 the keyboard control was discontinued and replaced with a standard steering column gear selector lever. [1] [14] [15] [16]

1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser powertrain details
Engine nameProductionConfigurationFuel systemOutputTransmission
HorsepowerTorque
Turnpike Cruiser V8 [17]

(Lincoln Y-block)

1957368 cu in (6.0 L) V84-barrel carburetor290 hp (220 kW) @ 4600 rpm405 lb⋅ft (549 N⋅m) @ 2600 rpm3-speed "Merc-O-Matic" automatic [15] [16]
Marauder V8 [18]

(Ford MEL)

1958383 cu in (6.3 L) V84-barrel carburetor330 hp (250 kW) @ 4800 rpm425 lb⋅ft (576 N⋅m) @ 3000 rpm
Marauder V8 [19]

(Ford MEL)

1958430 cu in (7.0 L) V84-barrel carburetor360 hp (270 kW) @ 4600 rpm480 lb⋅ft (650 N⋅m) @ 3000 rpm
Super Marauder V8 [20]

(Ford MEL)

1958430 cu in (7.0 L) V83x2-barrel carburetor400 hp (300 kW) @ 5200 rpm480 lb⋅ft (650 N⋅m) @ 3200 rpm

Body

The "breezeway" rear window on a 1958 Montclair Turnpike Cruiser 58 Mercury Montclair Turnpike Cruiser (9137014501).jpg
The "breezeway" rear window on a 1958 Montclair Turnpike Cruiser
Rooftop air intake (incorporating a non-functional radio antenna) on a 1957 Turnpike Cruiser 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser - 15781944220.jpg
Rooftop air intake (incorporating a non-functional radio antenna) on a 1957 Turnpike Cruiser

During its production, the Turnpike Cruiser was offered as a two-door and four-door hardtop. To serve as the pace car for the 1957 Indianapolis 500, a convertible was created (named the Convertible Cruiser), leading Mercury to offer a replica version for sale. It was offered in a single yellow (Sun Glitter) exterior color and fitted with the optional continental tire kit.

An unusual 1957 feature was an ornament mounted outside at the base of the rear window, which was relocated inside next to the rear window and would light up if the exterior lights were on. [1]

While sharing much of its body with the Montclair, the Turnpike Cruiser was distinguished by several exterior design features. Although not legalized across the entire United States until 1958, "Quadri-Beam" dual headlamps were fitted as standard equipment (the only 1957 Mercury to do so, as well as one of very few cars from that year to be equipped as such); for states that still mandated single headlights a standard setup was used. In place of contrasting paint, the scalloped tailfins were gold-anodized. Along with its retractable "Breezeway" rear window, the Turnpike Cruiser received a separate roofline, with a windshield curving into the roof; [21] the windshield was among the first to use tint to reduce solar glare. [14] As a consequence of the compound-curve design of the windshield, Mercury added rooftop ventilation intakes to the Turnpike Cruiser to cover a body seam, and unusually in a secondary function, each intake also housed a fake radio antenna, as the functional radio antenna was mounted on the passenger side front fender. [21] Air conditioning and power side windows were additional cost options. [22] For 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser adapted the styling changes of the Montclair and Monterey, shifting the grilles into the front bumper. The rear fascia saw multiple changes, as the gold-anodized trim was removed from the scalloped fins; "rocket-style" taillamps were added. [23] To distinguish the model line from the Montclair (and Park Lane), the Turnpike Cruiser was given gold trim for its badging (including the Mercury "M" grille badge).

The interior of the Turnpike Cruiser offered several features distinct from other Mercury sedans. To aid forward visibility, a flat-top deep-dish steering wheel was fitted (to match the curve of the instrument panel). [21] [24] Alongside a tachometer ("to measure engine efficiency" [14] ), [9] the instrument panel was fitted with a clock to calculate average speed and a trip odometer (effectively, a trip computer). [21] One of the first memory seats, "Seat-O-Matic" was programmable and moved down and back when the ignition was off. [21] [25] While not equipped with cruise control, in 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser (alongside all Mercurys) was introduced with a programmable speed warning, setting off a warning if a preset speed was exceeded. [25]

The Turnpike Cruiser standardized several Mercury safety features, including a padded dashboard (and dashboard gauges [21] ), a deep-dish flat-top steering wheel, and safety door locks; seatbelts were optional, alongside a safety harness for children. [21] Nearly 10 years before their introduction, the design of the taillamps performed as side marker lamps. [21]

Sales

1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser production [23]
YearSalesNotes
195716,8611,265 Convertible Cruisers

4 pace cars [26]

19586,407
Total23,268

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Bel Air</span> American full-size automobile

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet for the 1950–1981 model years. Initially, only the two-door hardtops in the Chevrolet model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950 to 1952. With the 1953 model year, the Bel Air name was changed from a designation for a unique body shape to a premium level of trim applied across a number of body styles. The Bel Air continued with various other trim level designations, and it had gone from a mid-level trim car to a budget fleet sedan when U.S. production ceased in 1975. Production continued in Canada, for its home market only, through the 1981 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford LTD (Americas)</span> Model range of automobiles

The Ford LTD is a range of automobiles manufactured by Ford Motor Company for the 1965 to 1986 model years. Introduced as the highest trim level of the full-size Ford model range, then the Galaxie, the LTD offered options and features that had previously been reserved for more luxurious Lincoln and Mercury models. The largest vehicle produced by Ford in North America for most of its production, the LTD was joined by the intermediate Ford LTD II from 1977 to 1979; the LTD II served as the replacement for the Torino/Gran Torino range. At various times throughout its production, the LTD range included two- and four-door pillared and hardtop sedans, a two-door convertible, and the Country Squire five-door woodgrain station wagon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Montclair</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Montclair is a series of full-size sedans that were manufactured and marketed over five generations by the Mercury division of Ford. The nameplate was used by the division twice, from the 1955 to the 1960 model years and from the 1964 to the 1968 model years. The model was offered as two-door and four-door hardtops, four-door pillared sedan, and a two-door convertible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Park Lane</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Park Lane is a full-sized automobile that was produced by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. While not officially introduced as the replacement of the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, the Park Lane became the flagship of the Mercury model line upon its introduction. The second-generation Park Lane was positioned above the Mercury Montclair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Windsor</span> Motor vehicle

The Chrysler Windsor is a full-size car which was built by Chrysler from 1939 through to the 1960s. The final Chrysler Windsor sold in the United States was produced in 1961, but production in Canada continued until 1966. The Canadian 1961 to 1966 Windsor model was for all intents and purposes the equivalent of the Chrysler Newport in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Colony Park</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Colony Park is an American luxury full-size station wagon that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company between 1957 and 1991. Distinguished by its simulated wood-grain paneling, the Colony Park was marketed as either the premium-trim or the sole full-size station wagon offering of the division. Following the 1960 demise of Edsel, full-size Mercury vehicles shared bodywork with Ford; the Colony Park served as the counterpart of the Ford Country Squire through 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Marquis</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Marquis is a model line of automobiles that was marketed by Mercury from 1967 to 1986. Deriving its name from a French nobility title, the Marquis was introduced as the divisional counterpart of the Ford LTD; four generations of the two model lines were paired through rebranding. Initially slotted as the flagship Mercury full-size range, the Marquis would serve as the basis for the later Mercury Grand Marquis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1957 Chevrolet</span> Make of US auto

The 1957 Chevrolet is a car that was introduced by Chevrolet in September 1956 for the 1957 model year. It was available in three series models: the upscale Bel Air, the mid-range Two-Ten, and the One-Fifty. A two-door station wagon, the Nomad, was produced as a Bel Air model. An upscale trim option called the Delray was available for Two-Ten 2-door sedans. It is a popular and sought after classic car. These vehicles are often restored to their original condition and sometimes modified. The car's image has been frequently used in toys, graphics, music, movies, and television. The '57 Chevy, as it is often known, is an auto icon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Meteor</span> American car

The Mercury Meteor is an automobile that was produced by Mercury from the 1961 to 1963 model years. Adopting its nameplate from the namesake Ford of Canada brand, the Meteor was introduced as the base-trim full-size Mercury sedan, while the compact Mercury Comet shared a naming convention associated with the ongoing Space Race of the early 1960s. Slotted below the Mercury Monterey, the Meteor was the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Fairlane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edsel Citation</span> Motor vehicle

The Edsel Citation is an automobile that was produced by the Edsel division of Ford for the 1958 model year. The flagship Edsel model line, the Citation was offered as a two-door convertible; all Citation sedans were produced as hardtops. Slotted above the Corsair, the exterior of the Citation was distinguished by additional stainless steel trim and a gold-anodized aluminum cove panel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edsel Pacer</span> Motor vehicle

The Edsel Pacer is an automobile that was produced and sold by Edsel in 1958. The Pacer was based on the shorter narrower Edsel platform, shared with Ford and the Ranger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edsel Ranger</span> Motor vehicle

The Edsel Ranger is an automobile that was produced and sold by the newly formed Edsel Division of Ford for the 1958–1960 model years. It was built on the shorter, narrower Edsel platform, shared with Ford and Edsel Pacer models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Eight</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Eight is an automobile that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford between 1939 and 1951. The debut model line of the Mercury division, Ford slotted the full-size Mercury Eight between the Ford Deluxe model lines and the Lincoln. In total, Ford assembled three generations of the Eight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955 Ford</span> Motor vehicle

The 1955 Ford is an automobile which was produced by Ford in the United States for the 1955 model year and, in revised form, for the 1956 model year. A new design would be offered in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Monterey</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Monterey is a series of full-size cars that were manufactured and marketed by the Mercury division of Ford from 1952 to 1974. Deriving its name from Monterey Bay, the initial Mercury Monterey served as the upscale version of the Mercury Custom which replaced the Mercury Eight, the debut model line of the Mercury division. During its production, the Monterey would be offered in multiple body styles, ranging from coupes, convertibles, sedans, hardtops, and station wagons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Voyager</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Voyager is a station wagon that was sold by the Mercury division of Ford for the 1957 and 1958 model years. For the 1957 model year, Mercury created a model range of station wagons distinct from sedans, following Ford. The Voyager served as the mid-range offering, slotted above the base-trim Mercury Commuter, with the woodgrained Colony Park serving as the top-range offering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury S-55</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury S-55 is a full-size car that was marketed by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company during the 1960s. Developed as a performance-oriented version of the mid-level Mercury Monterey, the S-55 was the largest vehicle of the Mercury "S" (Special) range introduced in 1962; its Ford equivalent was the Ford Galaxie 500XL and competed in the full-size luxury sport coupe market segment against the Chrysler 300H.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln (EL-series)</span> Motor vehicle

The Lincoln EL-Series is a full-size luxury car that was marketed and sold by Lincoln from 1949 to 1951. Replacing the H-Series Lincoln, the postwar model line was the first complete redesign of the Lincoln sedan line since 1936. In line with its predecessor, the EL-Series Lincoln carried only the Lincoln nameplate, using no divisional branding; the Lincoln was slotted below the Lincoln Cosmopolitan within the Lincoln model range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Marauder</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Marauder is an automobile nameplate that was used for three distinct full-size cars produced by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. Deriving its name from the most powerful engines available to the Mercury line, the Marauder was marketed as the highest-performance version of the full-size product range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breezeway (car)</span>

Breezeway is a term for a vertical or reverse-slanted, power-operated retractable rear window on sedans. Intended to provide through ventilation, it first appeared on the 1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruisers and the 1958–1960 Continental Mark III, IV, & V. After a break it reappeared on some 1963–1968 full-size Mercurys, including some Park Lanes, Montclairs, and Montereys.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Flory Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN   978-0-7864-3229-5.
  2. "Directory Index: Mercury/1957 Mercury/album". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  3. "1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser". 2007-10-29.
  4. "Directory Index: Mercury/1957 Mercury/1957_Mercury_Foldout".
  5. "Predicting the (near) future - Mercury's 1956 XM Turnpike Cruiser concept". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  6. "1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser". HowStuffWorks. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  7. 1 2 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "Directory Index: Mercury/1957 Mercury/1957_Mercury_Foldout". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  9. 1 2 "Directory Index: Mercury/1957 Mercury/1957_Mercury_Foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  10. 1 2 3 "Directory Index: Mercury/1958 Mercury/1958_Mercury_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  11. "MEL 430 Engine Specifications -".
  12. "The MEL Engine Tripower Heaven -".
  13. "430 Super Marauder -".
  14. 1 2 3 "Directory Index: Mercury/1957 Mercury/1957_Mercury_Foldout". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  15. 1 2 "Directory Index: Mercury/1958 Mercury/1958_Mercury_Flyer". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  16. 1 2 "Directory Index: Mercury/1958 Mercury/1958_Mercury_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  17. "Detailed specs review of 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Phaeton Sedan offered since December 1956 for North America U.S." www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  18. "Detailed specs review of 1958 Mercury Montclair 4-Door Turnpike Cruiser 383 Marauder V-8 330-hp Merc-O-Matic Drive offered since October 1957 for North America U.S." www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  19. "Detailed specs review of 1958 Mercury Montclair 4-Door Turnpike Cruiser 430 Marauder V-8 360-hp Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic offered since October 1957 for North America U.S." www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  20. "Detailed specs review of 1958 Mercury Montclair 4-Door Turnpike Cruiser 430 Super Marauder V-8 400-hp Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic offered since October 1957 for North America U.S." www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser". HowStuffWorks. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  22. "1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  23. 1 2 "1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser". HowStuffWorks. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  24. "Directory Index: Mercury/1957 Mercury/1957_Mercury_Brochure". How Stuff Works. Oldcarbrochures.com.
  25. 1 2 "Directory Index: Mercury/1958 Mercury/1958_Mercury_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  26. "1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser". HowStuffWorks. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2019-06-01.