For Sale: 1960 Mercury Monterey Convertible - "Excellent condition" - Frankford, DE - Not Mine - 3/6 Deleted

[6T-FinSeeker]

For sale on Craigslist: 1960 Mercury Monterey Convertible in Frankford, DE  -  $24,500  -  Contact Gary: 302 732 64 zero four

 

Link to 2/14 relist: https://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/d/frankford-1960-mercury-monterey/7277385993.html

 

Seller's Description:

1960 Mercury Monterey Convertible

• condition: excellent
• odometer: 32000
• transmission: manual
• title status: clean

60 mercury Monterey convertible very rare one of 6000 built. newly rebuilt engine 0 miles new clutch and flywheel rust free car new tires new exhaust. new hydraulic top motor and rams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 7, 2021 by 6T-FinSeeker
update status (see edit history)

[m-mman]

WOW, a 1960 Merc with a STICK!!   You dont see that everyday. 

 

Decent car, however the engine is incorrect. In 1960 Mercs came with either the Y-Block (312) or the MEL 383-430.

 

The rebuilt engine installed in this car is an FE (352-390). If it was installed correctly, and everything is functioning properly, then in some respects it might be a better driving choice than a Y-Block or the MEL. And endlessly debatable. 

 

But either way, you can never go wrong having 3 pedals. 😄

[JamesR]

14 hours ago, m-mman said:

....the engine is incorrect. In 1960 Mercs came with either the Y-Block (312) or the MEL 383-430.

😄

 

Thanks for the education. I didn't know that. I'm guessing that they switched to the FE engine in '61 because that's the year that Mercury (full sized) went back to sharing a platform with Ford(?) Interesting to ponder.

 

I also really like this '60 Convertible, based on what I can see. I could live with the non-original engine. Question, though: How are those forward hood hinges sprung? Or are they?

[m-mman]

9 hours ago, JamesR said:

I'm guessing that they switched to the FE engine in '61 because that's the year that Mercury (full sized) went back to sharing a platform with Ford(?) Interesting to ponder.

Yes. From 1939 Mercury was ALWAYS searching and struggling to find its own image and place in the line up. 

Beginning in 1957 Mercury tried to really go up scale. They used the base Y-block but also offered the Lincoln 368 motor and the infamous Turnpike Cruiser.  

 

The 1958 model year was supposed to be Ford's big year to meet GM head on. They had the Edsel to target the smaller Buick Olds & Chryslers and the Merc covered all the way up to the top Buicks and New Yorkers. (the Park Lane) All 1958s used the MEL motors

UNTIL. . . . the 1958 recession kicked everyone on their butt.

 

Edsels just sat in showrooms, but they couldn't give away Mercs either. Just too expensive. So in late winter, Merc brought out a cheap, cheap base model. It didn't even have a name at first (they just called it by its body ID numbers, later they dug out the Medalist title). It was a stripped down 58 Merc 2 & 4 door sedan that used a Y-block AND lever shift automatic (originally all 58 Mercs had pushbuttons) It was created to hit a price point. 

 

The MEL motor is reliable, but it is H-E-A-V-Y! And not very economical. For 1959 and 1960 they continued offering the Y-block in the lower line and the MEL motor was optional in the lower cars, standard in the upper models. The Medalist disappeared again with the introduction of the 1959s. 

 

Mac Namara was running things by the 1961 introduction and it was obvious that FoMoCo could not justify a unique platform for the Mercury so yes they put them on the Ford body. They also introduced the first full size Mercury with a six. (the Meteor 600 used the 223 engine) With that, Mercury pretty much covered the entire Ford line up but at a slightly higher price (and what did the buyer get for their money?) until the end of Mercury. 

 

10 hours ago, JamesR said:

Question, though: How are those forward hood hinges sprung? Or are they?

I believe they have coil springs. They are full counterbalanced. easy opening and reliable. 

 

Styling on 59-60 Mercs will always incite much comment.

They are REALLY BIG cars inside! Tons of leg room. That door/opening is larger than it looks. 59-60 Mercs have wrap around windshields, but its probably the only car where you dont smash you knees on the dash when getting out. 

[6T-FinSeeker]

On 3/6, Seller deleted the Craigslist ad.

 

Edited March 7, 2021 by 6T-FinSeeker (see edit history)