My dad bought one new in 1954, 2 tone dark blue over light blue 4 door. As a 7 year old kid I thought it was gorgeous. It did have the most beautiful wheel covers, great old car.
Hey, Tom! I'm glad this car brought back great memories of your dad and his brand new Mercury! I'm sure he was very proud of his selection! Thanks! :) Jack
As a teenager growing up on the farm, I used to drag home old cars that other nearby farmers wanted out of their yard. I once got a 54 Monterey, red with a white top, straight as an arrow, still had all wheel covers, only flaw, was a burnt spot in the middle of the hood, compliments of the Holley "Teapot" 4brrl carburetor. Unfortunately, the engine and transmission were gone, but for $10 I thought it was a pretty good investment. Lol, and by today's standards, it was a damn good investment. Lol. Wish I still had it. Great memories in the beauty you've shown here.
I wish I had the setting that you grew up in....imagine the opportunity to house cool cars bought for chicken feed, even if they weren't in running condition! But you know the deed restrictions in these subdivisions....they frown on things like that! Thanks! :) Jack
Hey, guys! Continental kits were very popular in the mid to late 50's into the 60's. Many decorated them with things like "Nancy and Ed...forever", or pictures of Elvis, or whatever fascinated them. Thanks! :) Jack
Yes, so many Mercurys of this vintage have been "treated" to a continental kit. The good thing is that it's reversible, depending on the owner's desire. Nice car! Thanks! :) Jack
I always liked 52-54 Mercurys, honestly the 54 Mercury and the 54 Buick are IMHO, the best looking 1954 automobile's. I would remove that horrible Continental kit, I hate the ones that the whole rear bumper is stretched out 2 feet, always preferred the style that clips on the middle of the bumper
Hey, Brian! I agree with your selection! Too bad about those continental kits...the good point is that the car can be taken back to stock if the owner desires. Thanks! :) Jack
Early 50s Mercurys were good looking cars in my opinion , just as they came from the factory floor . The right proportions and the right amount of chrome . This is should make an enjoyable Classic for it's next owners .
Hey, Derrick! I agree...the one in "The Long Long Trailer" was perfect in my estimation. Both Desi and Lucy needed help in their driving skills! :D Thanks! :D Jack
I agree with you Jack, that this continental kit is a bit too long. It detracts from the otherwise smooth lines of the vehicle. Continental kits suffered more dents while backing up than the regular rear bumpers of those days mainly because it was hard to get the "feel" of the extended length. Without the backup warning systems of today, you had to be extra careful to keep the kit looking pristine. These dash pull controls were quite novel for their day -- a style that reminds me of engine power levers in modern commercial aircraft.
That's very informative about the accident proneness of cars with continental kits. It really makes sense too! I think those pull controls resembling aircraft power levers was no coincidence! I bet there were several pilots in the design studios! Thanks! :) Jack
My goodness, airplane throttle controls in front of the steering wheel on the dashboard! My goodness, what looks to be a Chrysler PT Cruiser at a classic car show, next to the Mercury!
Hey, Mick! The American auto industry was hooked on airplanes! Even the controls! This was an auction of collectible cars, so no surprise that a PT Cruiser showed up. Thanks! :) Jack
My dad bought one new in 1954, 2 tone dark blue over light blue 4 door. As a 7 year old kid I thought it was gorgeous. It did have the most beautiful wheel covers, great old car.
Hey, Tom! I'm glad this car brought back great memories of your dad and his brand new Mercury! I'm sure he was very proud of his selection! Thanks! :) Jack
As a teenager growing up on the farm, I used to drag home old cars that other nearby farmers wanted out of their yard. I once got a 54 Monterey, red with a white top, straight as an arrow, still had all wheel covers, only flaw, was a burnt spot in the middle of the hood, compliments of the Holley "Teapot" 4brrl carburetor. Unfortunately, the engine and transmission were gone, but for $10 I thought it was a pretty good investment. Lol, and by today's standards, it was a damn good investment. Lol. Wish I still had it. Great memories in the beauty you've shown here.
I wish I had the setting that you grew up in....imagine the opportunity to house cool cars bought for chicken feed, even if they weren't in running condition! But you know the deed restrictions in these subdivisions....they frown on things like that! Thanks! :) Jack
Interior looks awesome! First time seeing a continental kit.
Hey, guys! Continental kits were very popular in the mid to late 50's into the 60's. Many decorated them with things like "Nancy and Ed...forever", or pictures of Elvis, or whatever fascinated them. Thanks! :) Jack
It is very nice. I agree with you about the chromed headlight bezels and, all the more so, the continental kit. I'd far prefer the car without either.
Yes, so many Mercurys of this vintage have been "treated" to a continental kit. The good thing is that it's reversible, depending on the owner's desire. Nice car! Thanks! :) Jack
I always liked 52-54 Mercurys, honestly the 54 Mercury and the 54 Buick are IMHO, the best looking 1954 automobile's. I would remove that horrible Continental kit, I hate the ones that the whole rear bumper is stretched out 2 feet, always preferred the style that clips on the middle of the bumper
Hey, Brian! I agree with your selection! Too bad about those continental kits...the good point is that the car can be taken back to stock if the owner desires. Thanks! :) Jack
Early 50s Mercurys were good looking cars in my opinion , just as they came from the factory floor . The right proportions and the right amount of chrome . This is should make an enjoyable Classic for it's next owners .
Hey, Derrick! I agree...the one in "The Long Long Trailer" was perfect in my estimation. Both Desi and Lucy needed help in their driving skills! :D Thanks! :D Jack
That was a '53 in the movie, but I take poetic license! :) Jack
I agree with you Jack, that this continental kit is a bit too long. It detracts from the otherwise smooth lines of the vehicle. Continental kits suffered more dents while backing up than the regular rear bumpers of those days mainly because it was hard to get the "feel" of the extended length. Without the backup warning systems of today, you had to be extra careful to keep the kit looking pristine. These dash pull controls were quite novel for their day -- a style that reminds me of engine power levers in modern commercial aircraft.
That's very informative about the accident proneness of cars with continental kits. It really makes sense too! I think those pull controls resembling aircraft power levers was no coincidence! I bet there were several pilots in the design studios! Thanks! :) Jack
As everyone knows what I think about the boat anchor out back but a nice vehicle.
Thanks
Hey, Gary! Yes indeed, decontinentalize (I coined that word) that car and you'd have something! :D Thanks! :D Jack
My goodness, airplane throttle controls in front of the steering wheel on the dashboard! My goodness, what looks to be a Chrysler PT Cruiser at a classic car show, next to the Mercury!
Hey, Mick! The American auto industry was hooked on airplanes! Even the controls! This was an auction of collectible cars, so no surprise that a PT Cruiser showed up. Thanks! :) Jack