1957 mercury travel trailer

1957 Mercury Trailer

Bed Kitchen Dining Area Storage Electric Water

Our 1957 Mercury Trailer “Virginia” was lovingly restored by the park owner and is a nod to her memories of growing up in the Shenandoah mountains of Virginia.

“Virginia” is fully restored on the inside. The trailer is ready to rent, sleeps two (2) people comfortably and has a porta-potty and a coffee pot. Bed linens and towels for the rustic showerhouse are included. Virginia has electricity, but no water or indoor cooking facilities. Owner and Restorer

Compelling facts: The Mercury was one of several trailer brands made within several miles of each other in El Monte, California during the 50’s and early 60’s. Most of these “canned ham” trailer companies used the same or similar parts, and therefore the trailers resemble each other. The company advertising motto was “Skip the Highways – Travel the Byways”. We give a hearty thumbs up to that sentiment!

Our 1957 Mercury, Virginia, arrived in Hillsboro RV Village, Hillsboro, NM in March of 2016. The trailer has a permanent home at the east end of the park near the tent sites. Send us an email and we’ll hook you up! *Virginia rents for $25 the first night, $20 for additional nights.

Pet allowed with permission of park owner. Special request please.

Check Out These 20 Vintage Classic RV and Camping Photos

Here's a little throwback to how camping used to be.

Recreational vehicles, camping and family road trips are more popular than ever before in North America and the rest of the world. There is no shortage of unique RVs and other ways to camp out there today.

But we've noticed that some of the retro camping stuff is as relevant today as it ever was.

So, we scoured the internet and found some great photos of vintage camper trailers, RVs and camping photos from all different time periods that should take you back to the days of the original family road trip.

20. Vintage Fifth Wheel

Surprisingly, one doesn't see a lot of vintage fifth-wheel trailers. Their popularity doesn't seem to have really taken off until the last 30 years or so.

19. Dodge Travco

You don't see too many Dodge Travcos on the road these days, which is a shame because this is one sweet-looking vintage motorhome.

18. Wood and Flowerboxes?

This photo has been circulating the internet for years now. This is one crazy, vintage motorhome. We don't even want to think about how much this thing must have weighed. They really did try to build the first totally mobile home with this one.

17. 1948 Morris Commercial LC3

This thing is awfully bulky and boxy-looking . The gas mileage is probably horrible, but it sure is awesome-looking!

16. Aero Flinte

The chrome and red look of this restored vintage travel trailer is just awesome and a real eye-catcher no matter where one's road trip might take them.

15. Classic Cars and Trailers

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Vintage travel trailers and classic cars go together as Forest Gump might put it: "Like peas and carrots!"

14. Holiday House

Built in 1960, they were probably going for a sc-fi look with this design. It sure makes for an eye-catching RV.

13. Roughing it Vintage Style

Travel trailers and RVs all have their vintage fans. But there's also a dedicated subset of the internet that loves old-school canvas tents , gas lanterns and other vintage camping gear. And these die-hards still make use of these items. Who would've thought, right?

12. Shasta Airflyte

When it comes to vintage travel trailers, Shasta is a name that comes up again and again. This Airflyte Shasta trailer is what often comes to mind when someone says the words "vintage travel trailer." This style is often also referred to as the "canned ham." They've recently been re-releasing these designs due to their overwhelming popularity.

11. Winnebago

You can't talk about vintage campers without also talking about Winnebago. Check out that air conditioner sticking out the back and the back porch. How cool is that?

10. Roof-top tent

I've seen a few setups like this in campgrounds in recent years, but had no idea the designs were this old. It seems as long as people have enjoyed camping, they've looked for a unique camping experience.

9. Vintage Airstream

In the history of camping perhaps no brand is iconic as Airstream . They've been making trailers since the 1920s and Airstream now has a cult following. Many of the newer Airstream trailers have modern amenities, but the classic look still remains.

8. 1964 Aladdin Travel Trailer

Small, single-axle travel trailers are gaining popularity again these days for their miniature size and light, dry weight. But most people forget they were a big thing back in the 1960s, too. This 1964 Aladdin trailer sure has some cool lines that contribute to its unique look.

7. Volkswagon Bus Camper

Nothing says road trip quite like a VW, especially when it's a VW bus with a pop-up roof like this. We just want to get in and start cruising down the highway to forget our troubles.

6. Under the Stars

View this post on Instagram Another successful mission in the ?ol girl who has become known as the Silver Bullet. Never enough time in the wilderness. - - - - - - #camping #glamping #1957mercury #wyoming #windriverrange #family #fishing #hiking #wilderness #milkyway #astrophotography #lightpainting #labordayweekend #jacksonhole #wyomingphotographer #glampapottamisrex #vintage #vintagecamper #vintagecamping #mercurycamper A post shared by Aaron Kraft (@krafty_photos) on Sep 3, 2018 at 7:56pm PDT

This 1957 Mercury travel trailer is another of the classic " canned ham " design. This picture is what a camping trip is all about, getting back to nature and enjoying the wonders of the universe while on the road.

5. Super Old School

It doesn't get much more retro than this. You might laugh, but consider how much of an upgrade this thing probably was over tent camping for most people. Sure, it probably didn't have any hook-ups. But it had storage space. Stuff like this is what helped birth the American road trip. It's an awesome photo and a reminder of how far RVs have come.

4. Apache Pop-Up

Most pop-up campers today feature soft canvas tent sides, but from 1970-86, the Vesley Company made a lot of hard-sided pop-ups called Apaches. Because of the short production run and unusual design , we weren't surprised to discover these trailers now have a small, but dedicated group of fans on the internet.

3. Shasta Astroflyte

One of the more interesting travel trailer designs from the 1960s was the Shasta Astroflyte. It looks like a hybrid of a fifth wheel and a regular travel trailer. Not surprisingly, these are now sought after by collectors for their unique design.

2. Truck Camper

We can't forget about truck campers  on this list, either. RV manufacturers have been making them as long as companies have been making pickups. Just like the Apache pop-ups, truck campers seem to have a cult following on the internet these days, especially the vintage ones.

1. Vintage Trailer Rally

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZrPpcVD6KG/?tagged=vintagetrailerrally

There is probably no way Airstream, Shasta or any of the old travel trailer makers could have anticipated how popular their designs would still be 50-60 years down the line. Now there are countless trailer clubs and vintage trailer rallies held across the country where enthusiasts come together to celebrate their favorite recreational vehicles.

NEXT:   12 OVERLOOKED NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS YOU NEED TO PUT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

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The Original Vintage Trailer and Camper Club

Aljoa, Aljo; Modernistic Industries

This page sure brings back memories from about 1957. Aljo (at the time)helped me thru college, working on 135th Street in Gardena and going to college at El Camino. I made a decent wage working in the cabinet shop and later became the lead guy. It was a nice place to work, people were great and Al was a great guy what little we saw of him. Probably out hustling sales. I remember being on the job when we started to get the aluminum from the manufacturer already painted and that was a big improvement over having to wipe the whole trailer down with solvent before you painted. We had a good team. Alex was on the skim bender, Johnny was on the cabinet frames, Billy was on the router, Mr. Bates was on the big workbench, Ericson on the table saw, and me on the final inspection, time cards and after hours wrap-up. Anson Stelmak….Thanks Aljo. I retired from aerospace with 32 years building airplanes and a very nice 401K plan.

Aljoa 1945-1956

Aljo 1956-1978

Manufacturer: Modernistic Industries Owner: C.T. McCreary

Alleged Rumor False: The name Aljoa was a combination of the distributor’s name, Al Rose, and his daughter Joanne.

Real Story, interview with C.T. McCreary by Mike Anderson

Sent: 9/10/2007 9:16 PM, Vintage Vacations MSN Group:

Here is what I heard straight from C.T. McCreary or “Mac” as he is known. I saw him at the shop today and had a nice little talk with him. He is in his 90’s and sharp as a tack. He told me all kinds of stuff about the history of HIS company and I will get a whole history from him and his family. He told me some neat stories about old trailer sales shows that they did and how some other companies got their start also some background on the founders of other trailer companies (Spartan, Kit and a couple of others).

First off, I will tell you that Mac started Modernistic Industries AND Aljoa trailers. Aljoa was the name of the trailer mfg company under the parent company, Modernistic. He stared his business in 1945 in Watts, CA on 109th and Central in a building that only had 3 walls. He called in a favor from a friend that he worked with at a aircraft plant (can’t remember the company, but I’ll get that) that built center turrett sections of the B-17 among other things. The building was owned by his friend and he asked him if he knew of a building he could rent to start his business. He told Mac that if he cleaned out the building he could use it and if he made a profit someday, he could pay him some rent. He didn’t even have a phone for a year. He told me that he had to scrounge for parts back then as the war was not even quite over yet and parts were scarce. he said that he had to walk down to 91st and Central to two phone booths to make calls and wait in line.

The name Aljoa derived from a name of a friend’s boat “Al-jo” changing it to Aljo, and when he setup in California someone told him to add an “a” on the end to make it more “Californian”. He did have to drop the “a” from the end in about 1950 when Alcoa saw that he was advertising an all aluminum trailer and the name infringed on theirs. Funny thing was, none of his dealers or customers seemed to care, only him. Al Rose was a dealer of his and many other brands. That story of Al being the namesake came up somehow from speculation and the story seemed to romanticize his brand so he didn’t spend a lot of effort fighting the rumor. His trailers were on the set of the Red Skelton Show and he had a feature on his company on a TV show called “Success Story” showing how the small guy can make it in different businesses. I’m even going to get a copy of the show and try to get it posted.

I learned a lot more but can’t remember it all and it was such a surprise visit that I wasn’t prepared for the history lesson. Again, I’m going to get A LOT more history of his and many other stories of the old days in trailer manufacturing/selling and pass them along online. I will also get photos of the plants, brochures, many other documents also. He even had one of his plants (I think it was in Iowa or somewhere) that he was “pushed” out of back when there was a trucking strike by Winnebago. That is a good story in itself. In a way, he gave Winnebago their start. I’ll keep you posted.

Mike Anderson

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The name ALJOA being a combination of two other person’s names seems just a popular rumor… Aljoa trailers was actually sued in Los Angeles District Court by ALCOA (Aluminum Corporation of America) as they felt Aljoa was too close sounding to ALCOA and it was a copyright infringement. ALCOA at one time was rumored to be considering the manufacture of travel trailers, trailer park models as well as light aircraft. This was in 1956, I believe. Thus the name change to Aljo for 1957 models…

Aljoa (Aljo) trailers were at one time manufactured at and sold through;

Modernistic Industries, Inc. 9620 E. Garvey Blvd. El Monte, California. (Modernistic later had other locations, but this was the original.)

“Al Rose, the Trailer King” Mr. Al Rose, Dealer/Owner Triangle Trailer Sales, Inc. (various trailer brands) 10117 E. Garvey Blvd. El Monte, California phone; Gilbert 8-9841

King Richard’s Trailer Sales (street/phone unknown.)

Other period trailers were made in or sold by dealers in El Monte, California. (Years are of known models, not necessarily only year manufactured… in no particular order.)

1954 – “Empire” Trailers, Inc., 1452 Chico Boulevard, CUmberland 3-4521, GIlbert 4-4951.

1956 – “Mercury” Trailers, 1831 Chico Boulevard.

1955 – “Ideal” and “Cal-Craft” trailers, Ideal Industries, 2328 N. Chico Avenue, FOrest 8-9817.

1949 – “Silver Streak”, “Curtis Wright”, Silver Streak Trailer Company, 1166 Chico Avenue.

1950 – “Aljoa”,“Aljo”, Modernistic Industries, Inc., 9620 E. Garvey, (Triangle Trailer Sales, GIlbert 8-9841).

1955 – “Cardinal”, Adams Trailer Company, 508 Stewart Street.

1952 – “Happy Home” Trailer Company, 92239 E. Valley Boulevard., FOrest 0-2875.

1952 – “Customcraft”, Best Industries, 509-10-12 E. San Bernardino Road, FOrest 0-3316.

1961 – “Terry” Coach Industries, Inc., 11274 Rush Street, GIlbert 4-0550.

1957 – “Sierra Madre”, Landmesser Trailer Company, 1166 Chico Boulevard, (sold through Triangle Trailer Sales, 10117 E. Garvey Boulevard, GIlbert 8-9841).

1956 – “Benroy”, “Tear Drop” (Manufactured for a short while by “King Richard’s”, an El Monte dealership)

1959 – “DeVille”, Catolac Corporation, 9573 E. Garvey Boulevard, GIlbert 9-4319.

1957 – “Corvette”, Sterling Company. 1959 – “Streamline” Travel Trailer, (related to Silver Streak). https://tincantourists.com//wiki/doku.php?id=streamline

1955 – “Dalton” trailers.

1946- “Radco” (sold by Al Rose).

1955- “Crown” (Terry Company?, sold by Al Rose).

1952- “Angelus”.

1952- “Robin Hood” (sold by Al Rose).

Winton Read

(revised 5/21/2011) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Manufacturer Information

There were three locations that the Modernistic Industries made trailers in the 1950’s.

1230 E. 109th St., Los Angeles, CA 1715 W. 135th St., Gardena, CA 9627 E. Garvey Ave., El Monte, CA

John Hanson founded a subsidiary in Iowa, called Modernistic Industries of Iowa in 1957. What I would like to know more about is the pre-1957 history of this manufacturer. Later other factories were added in Loveland, CO. and Pendelton, OR.

Years built

• Aljoa Sportsman  Model 12 – 12 ft
• Aljoa Sportsman  Model 14 – 14 ft
• Aljoa Sportsman  Model 16 – 16 ft
• Aljo Model 1500 – 15 ft
• Aljo Model 1900 – 19 ft
• Aljo Model 1800 – 18 ft
• Aljo Model 1500x (cabover) – 15 ft
• Aljo Model 1700 – 17 ft
• Aljo Model 15

Birchwood paneling. Non-convertible double bed with brackets over it for a hammock (small child size). Dinette seats convert to another double bed.

Pictures/Videos

1950 Aljoa Sportsman

1951 Aljoa Sportsman  

Cliff Uyeda

1954 Aljoa “Sportsman” 15’10”

We have removed the paint and are now having it repainted with a more traditional look. We are from Golden Colorado and are very excited to start using it come Spring.

1954 Aljoa Sportsman 13 ft. (R. Price)

Repainted in original colors. Original logo outlined but not repainted. The awning is vintage but unknown if it is original to the trailer.

The aluminum decorative pieces around the running lights are not originals or reproductions. The previous owner fabricated these and added them.

Upgraded 12V and new 110 volt electrical system.

Dinette at rear, to right as you enter the door

Original propane stove & refrigerator. Original hand pump for 5 gallon water tank has been connected to the 12 volt system.

Full-time double bed at front of trailer over storage compartment. The 12V reading lamps are vintage but I don’t know if they are original to the trailer. The 12V wall sconce is 1 of 2 and is original, including the shade. The small TV shelf and cable connection were added by the previous owner. Note the hammock brackets on the wall.

Courtesy of Cliff Uyeda source: 1955, FEB. Trailer Topics Magazine

1954 Aljoa owned by Maurrie, founder of Sisters on the Fly

Although repainted, the Aljoa logo has been maintained

Original paint and note that the logo now reads ALJO, rather than Aljoa. However, this is not a Sportsman “canned ham” shaped model, so the Aljo name may have been used on larger models.

Some owners

• Rebecca Price, Golden, CO ([email protected]) – 1954 Aljoa Sportsman 13 ft  http://blinddogranch.com
• Several members of Sisters on the Fly ( http://www.sistersonthefly.com/ ) use Aljoa trailers in the Cowgirl Caravan
• Anna Oakley, Austin, TX – 13ft., 1957 Aljo – http://www.flickr.com/photos/annaoakley/sets/72157603728197769
• David And Gloria James Upland Ca.- 1953 Aljoa Sportsman 12 ft
• Cathy & Jenifer in Vail Colorado – 1955 Aljoa Sportsman 
• D rew and Alicia Keller—1958 aljo 19′ coeur d alene,Id (vintage tiny homes)

Bring a Trailer: 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser

If you're suffering from Bel Air fatigue, we've got just the car to cure you. In fact, we think this car could be even more characteristically American than the ubiquitous Chevy.

It's the 1957 Mercury. This baby has everything, and more: A big V8. A flamboyant paint scheme (sunset orchid on classic white with gold accents). Untold pounds of brightwork. Bleeding-edge styling that would make Bruce McCall blush .

Then there's the name. The Turnpike Cruiser . It's like the Road Warrior's slightly pudgier older brother.

Tantalized? Of course you are! There's a cherry example featured at Bring a Trailer . The seller, who is offering the car through Craigslist , has this to say:

“A beautiful, original 37K mile car in pristine condition. Colors are factory Sunset Orchid / Classic White. Factory 368 motor has been professionally rebuilt. Transmission is the push button original and has been overhauled as well. Front end has been rebuilt. I doubt that there is another 1957 TP Cruiser near as nice as this one. Starts and drives like a new car. Everything does work with the exception of the AM radio. I think it is the vibrator tube. If you have any questions, feel free to email a contact phone and I will call you back. Serious inquiries only. Please no Looky Loos.”

Compared to the contemporary competition, the Mercury wears some pretty ostentatious sheet metal. But it's not as harsh as the undeniably baroque Continental that came a year later -- and the body's complexity does a surprisingly good job at hiding the rear doors.

Normally, we'd say the price for this car is high -- the seller is asking for a price more in line with the two-door models. But you know what they say: It's only original once, and if this car is as nice as it seems to be, we think it's a steal at $25,000. In fact, we're dreaming about cruising the Eisenhower-era highways and byways right now, the Breezeway rear window rolled all the way down to suck just the right amount of exhaust gas back into the cabin …

Check it out at Bring a Trailer , but only if you're serious. No Looky Loos.

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Rarest of the rare: 1957 mercury voyager.

November 14, 2017 Leave a Comment

While this is a rare and beautiful car, it’s not perfect. The exterior body, paint, chrome and trim all look to be in great shape but some work remains if the new owner wants to bring it to the next level. In particular the interior could use some refreshing as there’s normal wear and scuffing that could use attention. With the seller willing to be negotiable with the $54,500 price tag is this rare hardtop wagon worth pursuing?

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1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser

Mercury turnpike cruiser; part 1 kris kringle car show franklin, tn.

Just the name says it all. It was the late 1950s and America was just beginning to really discover the open road and Detroit was building cars the flew down the road. The general population was intrigued with space ships and luxury cruise ships. All was good in the World and we were set to take off. What better name for a top of the line road King than Turnpike Cruiser? Mercury was the step up from the everymans’s Ford. Never was it said more clearly than with the 57 and 58 Turnpike Cruisers. Here are a couple of similar examples. The first was photographed at the 2011 Kris Kringle Car Show in Franklin, TN and the other was photographed at the 2009 Good Guys Show in Des Moines, IA.

Hope you enjoy these as much as did!

Mercury Turnpike Cruiser; Part 2 Des Moines Good Guys Show

As we mentioned above America of the 50s and 60s was fascinated with anything that flew or went into space. It was the beginning of the space age and everyone wanted to be apart of it. It seemed like every car wanted to be a space ship. Arguably, one car from Mercury may have been the best example. It was the 1957/1958 Turnpike Cruiser.

Sometimes show cars led the way to what future models may look like other times manufactures would design the production car and then build the show car to extreme and measure the public’s reaction. It also proved customers with a hint of what was to come. The 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was an original. The show car it most resembled, the experimental XM-Turnpike Cruiser of 1956, came after the basic production design had been developed.

The 1957 and 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruisers were a halo models for the Mercury Division. At introduction of the 1957 line up the Turnpike Cruiser series offered two and a four door hardtop body styles.

They might best be described as the Jetsons meet Detroit. They are remembered for the unique styling cues and wide array of gadgets including a power rear window that could be lowered to improve ventilation, “twin jet” air intakes at the upper corners of the front windshield, “seat-o-matic” automatically adjusting seat, and an average speed “computer”.

For 1957, the Turnpike Cruiser was the premium model range for Mercury being differentiated from other Mercury models by the gold anodized trim strip in the car’s rear fin. It came standard with an automatic transmission and a 368-c.i.d. engine producing 290 horsepower.

Later in the model year an open car named Convertible Cruiser was added to this series. It was created to be used only as the official pace car of the 1957 Indianapolis 500. On January 7, 1957 it was announced that the Convertible Cruiser would be available as a production model as well. All Convertible cruisers had a continental tire kit and were painted yellow (Sun Glitter), similar to the original pace cars.

In 1958 the Turnpike Cruiser received only minor trim changes and the convertible was no longer offered. Standard engine became the 383-c.i.d. “Marauder” engine, with the 430-c.i.d., 360 horsepower version available as an option. A triple-carburetor “Super Marauder” 400 horsepower version was available across the Mercury line.

The Turnpike Cruiser was discontinued for 1959. However from 1963 to 1966 Mercury revived the Turnpike Cruiser’s most noted feature, the retractable rear window, on its “Breezeway” sub-series in the Monterey, Montclair and Park Lane model ranges.

The photos here were taken of this 1957 Turnpike Cruiser at the 2009 Good Guys Show in Des Moines, Iowa. Unfortunately, the rain would not hold off for the photos and the cars excellent paint got to show off its ability to bead water.

This is a well restored example of a car many of you may have never seen. In fact many may have never even heard of a Turnpike Cruiser before.

The Big “M”

These air vents were the big design element for this car.

“Hood Ornament” for the rear deck.

Power down rear window!

These dual rear antennas were very big back in the day.

Close up of the outside of the vent.

This is what that vent looks like on the inside.

These wheels ARE NOT originals but look great for a Good Guys Show.

17 Comments

Many historic automotive enthusiasts like to say that the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser along with the Edsel was proof that America rejected these cars for over the top styling excesses that proves they were failures. When you look at these cars, especially this black Turnpike Merc, ugly or over the top just does not apply!

This car is magnificent, and if I were in the market for a medium price set of wheels, this is the one I would have been placing my money on! When you look at what was out there at the time, nothing comes close to the Cruiser. That beautiful projectile down the side quarters to the tailamps was simply beautiful. The covering over the rear window, the projectiles out of the roof in front, that amazing windshield, the rear window that lowered behind the rear seat for ventiliation, and those beautiful fender skirts with thin outline molding – the car was just beautiful. In this color black, the car is stunning!

I know that people will get into arguments over their favorite car from this period, but if people think this car had styling excesses, how about the “forward look” Mopar products, and how about the tailfinned excesses of the GM products.

This beautiful restored Merc proves all of these years later, that these cars were unappreciated in their time; ahead of their time, and will be given their proper place as valuable classics. The Edsel is in the same category, that what was underappreciated in its time, comes back and proves they shine among those cars from the period.

Yes, I would have purchased a Mercury Turnpike Crusier just as pictured for my ride, and I know that it would have been enjoyed and admired!

This was a magnificent automobile. My uncle owned the Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Jonesboro, AR at the time, and he sold my dad a new car about every year or two. We had suicide door Mercs, a 53 2-door Lincoln Capri with the OHV V-8, a 55 and 56 Mercury Monterey and finally after a trip to Jonesboro, we ended up with a lt. blue with black top Turnpike Cruiser. It was a great car except the air conditioner (factory) would freeze up. We’d have to go about ten miles with the windows and back window down to let the AC thaw out. My uncle sold the LM dealership and we kept the TC for about three years before trading it for a 61 Chrysler Newport. An old black lady in the community bought it and it was around town for years. In about 69 when I was 19, I stopped by her home and asked her favor, “could I drive the car.” Eight or nine years of minimal maintenance was telling on the car when I drove it … it was pretty rough … squeaks and pops in the suspension – never had shocks replaced… some tears in the upholstery. I thanked her but I do wish my dad had done as he threatened – put the car on blocks and keep it. But as the seven-ten year old car fanatic, it was a great car; It was a fun car – it had the first tachometer in a car I ever saw – and also had push-button drive (Most folks associate that kind of transmission control with Chrysler but this TP cruiser had it. The images like the “M” in the front grill, the gold in the design element of the tail light, the airvent and the quad-headlight assembly are all design cues that strike my memories as parts of the care that were really special.

I remember it well. This was my car back in 1957. Of course, the color was somewhat different … all white with gold trim. Red and white interior. 0 to 60 in seven seconds flat … just a car length behind a Dodge back in those days, but with a higher top end. Built for cruising, and we did … didn’t we? All we needed was a few bucks for gas. Seeing the price back then blows me away. To think that we’d be driving Japanese after all these years. Thanks for the memories. Jim

I wanted to add an additional thought to my earlier piece covering the beautiful 57 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser showcased in black above. I like the 1957 better than the 1958 model, but had I been around driving age and with some money in the late 1950’s, ordering a 58 Cruiser with the amazing Super Marauder engine option with the tri-power may have been the car of choice. It can be debated, but it is possible that a 58 Merc with super marauder engine could be the first true muscle car out of Detroit. 400 horsepower is hard to beat in the late 1950’s right out of the factory. Yea, a 1958 in black just like the above black 57 would be something to behold!

I drove a 57 Merc to college in 1962. In high school, it was my Dad’s car. It was fun when friends came home from the dragstrip with a trophy only to have me blow them away in the big Mercury. A chevy 409 4 speed tried racing me on the way home from college one weekend. They were running 130 on their speedometer when I pushed the “drive button” allowing the automatic to shift to 3rd gear. My Merc speedometer was grossly inaccurate above 70 mph. When the 409 would only run 130, my speedometer was registering 84. A 57 buick was topped out at 115 when I passed at an indicated 78. Yes, I could peg my red ribbon speedometer … in fact, once, it took 3 seconds of no throttle for it to start moving below 120. My dad was driving that time. We covered 15 miles in roughly 6 minutes and he was not paying attention to the speedometer. He frequently drove in the 80-110 mph range. By the way, this was out west and we saw no other cars on the road during that run.

I remember Mercury sponsoring the Ed Sullivan Show when this car was current. I’m pretty sure that the ’57 Merc’, and only some models, were the first cars to have quad headlights. It wasn’t until ’58 that the other brands had ‘four eyes’. In 1960 one of the ‘big guys’ in town had a ’57 or ’58 Merc’ ragtop. I remember looking under the hood and seeing the biggest engine I’d ever seen in my short life. I recall a huge breather housing for the air filter that must have been the diameter of a small dining room table. I’m usually on my bicycle these days but man, I love BIG Detroit V8’s!

I left out a word. It should have read:

I just BOUGHT the maroon 1957 Turnpike Cruiser that was listed on bringatrailer.com. I just love the period correct excess.

I saw one of these today at a show in Port Elgin Ontario Can. I`ve never seen one before,wasn`t the best restoration, but in my opinion the coolest car there…you could just imagine cruising down the open highway…wish I could time travel…

I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 1957 Mercury was a very stylish car, mostly due to its excesses. Although I was only 6 at the time, I already knew how to distinguish one. Then, in 1960, my great-parents moved into a building in a city at the seacoast, where people used to have housing for holiday & vacation. One day, I found a 1957 Mercury Monterey 4-door hardtop, salmon & beige parked inside the building. Although only 8, I was crazy for the design of the car and knew it was a ’57. It had the one-headlight scheme, instead of the two-headlight of the Turnpike Cruiser. Luckly, the next day I met a girl my age, who was the daughter of the Mercury’s owner. She was red-haired, full of freckles, and I convinced to pick the keys with her father and open the car so I could see and sit inside, what she did. Soon that little girl with a bunch of keys in her hand was back, and opened the door for me! Although I loved her, I actually fell in love with the car! Compared to the minimal VW Beetle my father owned, it was a marvelous transatlantic vessel. Ah, good memories!

Great story, thank you for sharing. The only thing better would be if you said you grew up to marry the little red head!

I had a white with gold trim ’57 Turnpike Cruiser with fender skirts. Had a rolled and pleated white leather interior. Had a lot of interesting cars since but this was the most distinctive. Been to many classic car shows and auctions and have not seen one yet.

We had a white with gold trim Turnpike Cruiser which my parents let me take to the prom. Since the speedometer top out at 150 mph, I had to see if it would actually do that. When I got it to 141, things were coming up too fast for me and I backed it down. I haven’t driven a car that fast since.

To who may concern I have a 1957 Lincoln Premier 2dr hardtop that belonged to my father I’m in the works of fixing up like wanted I’m looking for info on how the mercury skirts are attached. I’m putting a continental kit on the car also. I’m needing this info so to have the car going to give him a ride in it before he passes away he 79yrs old with a bad hart thank for your time and all info will greatly appreciated George Hance. 231 cr 3100 Salem Mo. 65560

We had a 4 door ’57 when I was younger. It was great for going to the drive in. We’d roll the rear window down and sit on the rear of the car, leaning on the roof, our feet dangling down the back seat. I’d love to have another one, but I’d insist on getting air conditioning in there somehow! Most powerful car I think I/we ever owned.

Here in 2020, as I sit at my computer and reminisce at age 90, I vividly recall that when I was going to university in British Columbia, Canada, in the 1950’s, I sold new cars in the Summer at the local Meteor/Mercury/Lincoln Dealership in downtown Vancouver so I could earn my tuition money. One day a mid thirty year old logger ( not married ), came into the Dealership and literally fell in love with a golden/bronze four door T P C sitting on the showroom floor. We took it for a test drive, and on return he immediately purchased it for ” cash “. ( To slightly digress, if you are old enough to remember, there was a famous ” story teller ” on the radio in those days—-Walter Winchell—who would start his program with a story, then pause for commercial , and come back and say—-” And now for the rest of the story ” ). Well, this is my ” rest of the story ” His first name was Dennis, and we became good friends. About a month or so after buying the car, ( now into early September and I had just returned to my studies ), he phoned me and said he was going to a logging camp up the B C coast for several months, and would I look after his car for him as he did not have a permanent address in town. I was overwhelmed and said yes—–his condition was that I could periodically use it on weekends for pleasure, but NOT take it to the university campus. I readily agreed, and for several months drove this ” beauty ” on Saturdays and Sundays . After his stint in the woods, he returned to Vancouver, picked up his car and left with it for a trip into the U S A FACT

Barry, great story. For a 90 year old your memory is quite good with one exception. That wasn’t Walter Winchell, it was Paul Harvey who did the “Rest of the Story”. Thanks again for your memories.

have just bought a diecast model of a PINK AND BLACK cruiser, what a magnificent car it must have been sitting on a MERCURY dealers show room floor. thank you for the opportunity to comment

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1957 Mercury Monterey

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