The product of a frame-off restoration, this 1953 Mercury Monterey Convertible was painted in Bittersweet and fitted with a tan convertible top. The two-tone orange and white interior features the famous two-tone dashboard and matching steering wheel. Rolling on wide whitewall tires wrapping steel Bittersweet-painted wheels with full-width polished hubcaps, the Mercury packs a 255/125 HP flathead V-8 engine beneath the hood, backed by a Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission, which together power the upscale Monterey down the road with a degree of effortless ease. Passengers will adore the split-back bench seat, power convertible top, electric clock, AM radio, ornate steering wheel and spacious interior. Indeed a seldom-seen automobile, the Mercury Monterey impressed the world with high style, exceptional performance, extensive creature comforts and a fair price—all of which spelled trouble for the competition. Taking it up a notch, Mercury introduced the Monterey line in 1952. Offering a healthy dose of standard features and luxury amenities, the Monterey was initially only available as a coupe, and it knocked on the Lincoln Cosmopolitan’s door offering nearly the same levels of comfort and sharing the same basic body structure. It was all good for Mercury, but a little upsetting to Lincoln and its customers. For 1953, Mercury established the Monterey as a standalone model line complete with a sedan, station wagon, convertible and, of course, the coupe. Always intended to be an upscale offering, Mercury restyled the Monterey inside and out for 1953, one of its most unique features likely being the heater-defroster controls, which were levers on a flat plane to the left of the steering wheel, lending it a certain aircraft feel. Nicely fashioned and well optioned, Montereys featured two-tone dashboards, acres of bright detailing and came with leather seating faces as standard equipment, but they could be ordered with a full leather interior for just $10 more. Only 8,463 Monterey convertibles were built in 1953, which would be a hallmark year in a couple of ways for Ford Motor Company. It would ultimately be the last year of the venerable flathead V-8 engine, and the 40-millionth Ford-built vehicle would roll off the assembly line that year—a Mercury Monterey convertible in Siren Red. This one presents exquisitely, has an astonishing equipment roster and simply seems to beckon people to get out and enjoy.
