For most of its first 15 years, Mercury was a Ford-based medium-priced car on a slightly longer chassis with somewhat upmarket interior appointments. For 1955, however, it was finally given a personality all its own, being longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor, and dressed with a bold grille-bumper assembly and vestigial rear fender contours with bright trim. Mechanically, this car was very much in the Ford idiom, with a 292-cubic inch version of the “Y-block,” overhead-valve V-8, as well as ball-joint independent front suspension and a live rear axle on leaf springs.

New for 1955 was a Mercury prestige line, the Montclair, comprised of three closed body styles and, at the top of the line, the Montclair Convertible, available for $2,777. Just 10,668 of this model were built, and they are among the most desirable Mercurys of the era.

The Carman Red beauty offered here sports the Montclair’s signature accent panel below the window sills, finished in a contrasting white; the convertible top is in white vinyl, and the color combination is repeated in red and white vinyl and cloth upholstery, which shows only modest use. The car is equipped with a Merc-O-Matic transmission and four-barrel carburetor, and it is reported to move readily and smartly through modern traffic. An interesting original feature is a power lubricator that services nine points on the front suspension every time the car is started. Optional equipment includes a push-button AM radio, a heater, an electric clock, power steering and brakes, windshield washers, and driving lights.

As the recipient of a body-off restoration, the car has excellent contours, paint, and brightwork, and detailing of the engine compartment and the undercarriage is reported as being first rate.

While not the rarest of the 1955 Mercurys, the Montclair Convertible is undoubtedly the most sought-after, dramatic, and sexy. This is an excellent example deserving of a home in the finest collection of Fords and Mercurys.