Original 256 ci. OHV V8 Survivor Classic Antique Ford Mercury Monterey Glasstop

1954 Mercury Monterey Sun Valley Glasstop Additional Info:

The model only ran 3 years, with just 9,761 units built in 1954.It is recognized as a Certified Milestone Car by the Milestone Car Society.

1954 brought the new 162 horsepower 256 ci. OHV V8 to the Mercury line, fueled by a Holley four-barrel carb.This Sun Valley is also well optioned. Along with the Merc-O-Matic Drive automatic transmission, it also came with power steering and brakes, 4-way power seat, power windows, and radio.

Apart from an original color repaint in the early 70’s, and an electric fuel pump, this car is very original, complete, unrestored and unmolested with 59,001 original miles.It was sold new by the Clarke Simpkins dealership in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has been in the Pacific Northwest all its life. Although sold in Canada, it is identical in all respects to those sold in the USA.

The car was resident in the Classic Car Museum in Victoria, BC, between the years of 1977-1991, then owned by a collector in Washington State before being acquired by its current family in year 2000. It has been a reliable occasional driver with regular maintenance and routine mechanical work performed as required to keep it roadworthy.

Overall the car shows light wear & tear of its original miles, and remains a very nice looking car in roadworthy condition.This car could be maintained and enjoyed as the survivor that it is, with minor detailing and freshening along the way, or, it would make an excellent restoration candidate given its completeness, unmolested state, and overall solid condition.

This listing provides many more details as you scroll thru, including a short video clip of engine start up and running.Near the end of this listing under Payment Terms you will also find a link to a photo album of over 150 pics.

DRIVETRAIN:The 256 ci. V8 OHV engine is rated at 162 hp. and is original to the car. It starts easily, sounds very good, and is in good running condition with good oil pressure and no smoke. We have a short video clip of engine start-up, which you can find under the Summary near the bottom of this listing. The 4 bbl. Holley carb is fed by a new electric fuel pump mounted just ahead of the gas tank, with a pressure regulator just ahead of the carb. The original mechanical pump has been removed and a block-off plate is in its place.

All other mechanical components on and around the engine appear and function in good condition. The engine compartment is very complete and original looking, and is relatively clean and tidy. Inner fenders are clean with no rust issues.There are a couple of dents in the upper rad tank.Belts and hoses all appear in good condition.

Torque is transferred to pavement through the original Merc-O-Matic Drive automatic transmission to its original differential. The transmission shifts as it should.There is evidence of the normal minor leaks noted from the driveline, and the usual ‘sweating’ off the steering.

CHASSIS:Handling and ride qualities of the 1954 Mercury was improved with the introduction of ball joint suspension.The Sun Valley has a 118” wheelbase, overall length of 206.2 inches, and weighs 3,535 lbs.All suspension, steering and brake system components are as original without modifications.

The complete brake system has recently been serviced and included a professionally rebuilt Treadle-Vac power brake unit and master cylinder, rebuilt front wheel cylinders, new rear wheel cylinders, new hoses and linings.Other chassis work included a new gas tank, new dual exhaust system, new shocks and battery, and wheel bearings repacked.

It is quite evident that Ford was generous in its application of undercoating, and it remains intact over much of the areas applied to. As such the undercarriage appears solid.

The running tires are a matched set of Firestone P205/75R15 radials in very good condition.They are mounted on original rims with nice correct original wheel covers. The spare is a non-matching bias ply.

BODY & PAINT:There is no evidence of any major collision damage or rust out on this car.The only repaint was done many years ago and remains in very presentable condition. It is a good paint job done in single stage acrylic enamel giving the car a period correct patina, with only a few minor blemishes and very good shine.Overall, the body and sheet metal on this car are quite straight displaying no dents or rust issues.

There is no rust swelling of the flanged lips either at the door or trunk lid bottom edges.The trunk pan is solid with no rust issues, just glue residues.There is no rust out of the inner quarter drop down panels behind the rear wheels.

GLASSTOP:The original green tinted fiberglass roof panel is in excellent condition, showing no signs of hazing or crazing.

INTERIOR:The interior is all original and overall in very nice condition. There are only a few signs of light wear and age, as can be expected. The only notable ones worth mentioning are a split seam at the driver seat, a minor tear on the side panel of the passenger side back rest.

All door and side panels are in really nice condition, as are the arm rests and sun visors. No rips in the headliner, some staining right behind the glass top.Windlace in good condition, and nice rear package shelf.The sill step plates are very good, as is the carpet.

All the interior chrome and stainless trim is very nice.The dash panel, instrument faces, and chrome items are all in very nice condition.The steering wheel has been restored and has no cracks, nice pit free horn ring and nice original center emblem.

The windshield and all other window glass is in good condition.All weather-strips are original, still soft, pliable, and in good serviceable condition.New trunk mat and correct pattern cardboard side panels in the trunk, along with its original jack.

ELECTRICAL:The car retains its original 6-volt electricals, and wiring on the car is original and in good serviceable condition. The car has a new battery and voltage regulator.The gauges are in very nice condition, and all electrical items are in working order except for the amp gauge, clock, and cigarette lighter. These have not been investigated.The radio was recently serviced and is in good working order with great sound.

All power windows are in good working condition.Both motors in the 4-way power seat work, and the seat moves up/down, but does not move forward/rearward due to a stripped gear.The vacuum windshield wipers work so-so as is typical.

All lights in working order, and all plastic lenses in nice condition with no cracks.

BRIGHTWORK:All external chrome and stainless trim is a combination of excellent original and new, in overall very good condition with nothing missing.

Both bumpers and guards in very good re-chromed condition, great shine, with only a couple of very minor blemishes on the front, barely noticeable. Bumper bolts however have dings on them.Nice original stainless headlamp rings, and original exterior emblems, with the left front fender emblem appearing as NOS.Very nice Monterey, Merc-O-Matic, and gold Sun Valley scripts, along with original dealer ‘Clark Simpkins’ script at rear.Nice original full wheel covers.

Most of the pot metal chrome items are free of any pitting, and any pitting present on some pieces is very tiny.Stainless side and beltline moldings are in overall very good condition, with only a few minor dings evident of some pieces, all easily repairable.The stainless moldings along the lower rockers have no screws or holes in them.

SUMMARY:Included with the car is a collection of original literature. Among the original glove box documents are the ‘For Your Information’ folder, Owner’s Manual, Merco-Therm and Chrome Finish brochures, radio and bumper jack instructions.There are also a rare original Sun Valley specific sales brochure, original Chassis Parts and Body Parts Catalogs, and a reprint Repair & Adjustment Manual.

If you are looking to drive a mid-1950’s classic Mercury with distinctive styling and limited production, this could be it! Glasstops have long held market appeal which continues today.It is a Certified Milestone Car and has all the markings of a rare collectible and investment vehicle.

If you are considering a collectible driver to enjoy right away, something to tinker with and improve over time, this is it!You won’t be spending years or tons of money trying to find missing parts, or performing major extensive rust repairs, and your investment will be secured by the never ending interest in and admiration of this special collectible.

This car has been enjoyed by its owner and his family for many years. With the passing of the primary owner, the family has decided to make this special car available to its next caretaker.It is being offered with a very reasonable reserve well below $30K, and less than the asking price of current comparables.

54 Sun Valley Startup - YouTube

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PAYMENT TERMS:

This ’54 Mercury glass-top is being listed on behalf of the owner. Please email ‘carsgoneby@telus.net’ or phone Rick at (403)534-2222 for additional honest and accurate information from a professional auto restorer. All information listed has been gathered from discussions with the owner, test drive, and a visual inspection. Over 150 pics are available for viewing at www.jpegbay.com/gallery/007467639-.html#0 . No warranties expressed or implied. Successful bidder to make a minimum payment of 50% of closing bid amount (US funds) within 5 days of auction closing, with the balance payable upon vehicle pick up within 21 days (international) or 14 days (US/Canada).Payment must be in certifiable form such as cash or wire transfer. PayPal for deposit only. Other forms of payment only acceptable with time allowance for instrument to clear bank prior to vehicle being released. Any deviation from, or changes to the preceding terms must be reasonable, and should be requested, discussed, and agreed to prior to bidding and auction closing.

IMPORTANT OTHER:

Please submit all inquiries prior to bidding, and please only bid if you are able and willing to conclude the transaction should you be the winning bidder.This vehicle is being sold with a Bill of Sale, and a clear Washington State title.The car is located near Seattle, Washington, USA. Please be aware of your shipping costs before bidding, quotes can be provided upon request if necessary. We can help make this a smooth, hassle free experience by arranging all-inclusive international transportation and brokerage for you. References relating to similar transactions are available. Cars Gone By has sold and shipped numerous collector vehicles within North America and worldwide, the majority through Ebay transactions.Please do not ask us to disclose the reserve price. In fairness to all bidders we will not do so and request that you simply place a bid that is comfortable for you.Thanks for looking!

NOTICE REGARDING BID RETRACTIONS:

Placing a bid to simply uncover the reserve price, or how high another buyer has bid, and then retracting or cancelling the bid is not allowed as it violates Ebay’s Invalid Bid Retraction Policy.Such bids are considered as ‘Unwelcome and Malicious Bidding’ as they contravene the seller requirements stipulated above, that you only bid with the intent to buy, and that you do not bid without the intent of concluding the transaction.Such bids are not in the spirit of a reserve auction. They ruin the experience for serious buyers and sellers, can cast doubt on the process and subject vehicle, and are a nuisance to the seller in general.Ebay rules stipulate, if you retract a bid for reason of ‘entered wrong amount’, you must re-enter your correct bid amount right away, and that changing your mind does not qualify as entering wrong amount.If you retract your bid as ‘wrong amount’ and fail to re-enter your correct amount, your bid will be considered ‘unwelcome and malicious’ and it will be immediately reported to Ebay, and they will investigate, and you will be placed on a blocked bidders list.