The Mercury was completely redesigned for 1952, along with other Ford vehicles, with the brand moving away from the rounded form of previous years, which was much-beloved by lead-sled custom builders.
The new look was taller and squarer, and more in line with modern taste as the chrome-bedecked cars of the ‘50s got under way. The Monterey became its own top-drawer model, with premium trim and features.
The Pick of the Day is a highly attractive 1952 Mercury Monterey convertible in red with a black-and-red interior, powered by the correct 255cid, 125-horsepower flathead V8 linked with a 3-speed manual transmission and overdrive.
The Mercury has had “limited ownership” during the past 35 years, according to the Canton, Ohio, dealer advertising the convertible on ClassicCars.com. Presumably, that means it’s been in the hands of just a few people during that time.
The dealer extols the overall great condition of the Mercury.
“Solid floors and body,” the ad says. “Excellent chrome trim. Rare bumper-guard fog lamps plus dual spotlights and fender skirts. Finished in red with beautiful red and black interior and dash. Seat belts have been added for safety. Very nice tan convertible top.
“A very functional car that runs smoothly and everything works.”
Mercurys were particularly nice-driving cars in that era and can be used in modern-traffic conditions with good power, decent handling and braking, and fairly trim dimensions.
The photos with the ad show a good-looking car with no obvious issues, with a nice interior, clean engine bay and what appears to be a fairly fresh convertible top. The mileage showing on the odometer is 67,678, although there is no indication in the ad whether that is original.
Mercurys from this era are often subject to customization, for better or worse, and it’s nice to see this apparently bone-stock example with all its proper trim and mechanical components.
The asking price is $38,995.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
8 volt battery?
Some owners of 6-volt cars, like this one, install an 8-volt battery to boost starting power without harming the electrical system.
I drove a 50 f1 for a year 10k miles put in that 8 volt bought headlights every 5 hours and every bulb in vehicle I saved and bought the 6 volt . It works on the Ford Tractors, put a 6 volt back in —
Am I imagining things or was there a retro system where you could use 8 Volt to start but run everything else on 6 volt back in the day?
Hi would like to trade I have a 1947 dodge deluxe suicide doors running all original
Wasn’t this the model in two tone that Perry Mason drove in several episodes?
A nice bit of auto nostalgia.
I did a story a few months ago about cars in the Perry Mason series:
https://journal.classiccars.com/2021/04/26/vintage-perry-mason-showcases-trove-of-mid-century-classic-cars/
I think he may be confusing Perry’s cars with a Muntz Rocket that was indeed a two tone car that used 1952-53 Mercury Tail Lights. However it was not Perry’s ride.
No Perry first drove an all black 57 Ford Skyliner
Why would someone replace only one top radiator hose? And not position the hose clamp correctly?
Does the clock work? And who knows when they switched over from wind-up to Electric? Was it in ’55?