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Mario's Tribute to 1957-58 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser

Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Indy 500 Pace Car

1 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was the Flagship model for Mercury in 1957. The Mercury Cruiser is a series of automobiles that were produced by Mercury from 1957-58.

2 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was the Official Pace Car of the 1957 Indianapolis 500. Named to commemorate the creation of the new Interstate Highway System.

3 1957 368ci V8, 290hp. 4 bbl carb, dual exhausts, MSRP $4,103, only 1,265 Pace Car Convertible Cruisers were made.

4 This Convertible Cruiser is being auctioned at Barret Jackson Jan 25, 2023, in Scottsdale AZ Lot #507 from the Gateway Auto Museum CO.

5 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. Out-of-this-world front fascia, a space travel inspired roofline, and more gadgets all standard equipment.

6 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. The overhanging roof has a retractable rear window, optional Continental tire kit.

7 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. The front windshield has twin jet air ducts mounted to it. Rare version produced with single headlamps.

8 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. Closeup image of rooftop air intake and radio antenna.

9 During the 1957 model year, a convertible (called the Convertible Cruiser) was offered on a limited basis. A very rare car today.

10 The 1957 Turnpike Cruiser derives its name from the 1956 Mercury XM-100 Turnpike Cruiser concept car with every power item being standard equipment.

11 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. A retractable rear window marketed as the “Breezeway”.

12 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser with mechanical pushbutton transmission controls and a trip computer.

13 1958 Factory air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power memory seat and power antenna. Three-tone paint, lots of chrome.

14 1958 Power steering, power brakes, push-button transmission, power rear retractable window, factory skirts, and Continental Kit.

15 1958 430ci 400hp Super Marauder V8 with Tri-Power and 3 speed automatic transmission.

16 1958 Plush Jukebox interior. Multi Drive Mercomatic pushbutton transmission, power seat, power windows, power steering, power brakes, padded dash.

17 1958 Mercury Montclair Turnpike Cruiser, showing gold big M badge.

18 1958 Mercury Montclair Turnpike Cruiser. Breezeway retractable rear window, unique tailfins.

19 1958 Mercury Montclair Turnpike Cruiser. The Turnpike Cruiser was produced as a luxury two-door and a four-door hardtop sedan. No convertible was offered for 1958.

20 1958 Mercury Montclair Turnpike Cruiser. Closeup of breezeway rear window in semi closed position.

21 1958 Twin jet air ducts mounted above the windshield, twin combination spotlights and rear-view mirrors.

22 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser with extended Continental Tire Kit, partially closed rear window and fender skirts.

23 1958 Engine 430ci 360hp Marauder V-8. For 1959, Mercury discontinued the Turnpike Cruiser, phasing its content into the Park Lane product line due to low sales.

24 1958 In total 23,268 examples of the Turnpike Cruiser were produced over two years from 1957 to 1958 Model years. A rare car today not many seen at Car Shows.

25 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Pace Car at the Gateway Auto Museum in Colorado, which is being auctioned off by Barret Jackson Scottsdale AZ on Jan 25, 2023, Lot #507.

26 Gateway Auto Museum, CO owned by the founder of the Discovery Channel, John Hendricks is a modern 30,000-square-foot facility housing over 50 cars from his private collection.

27 My 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Danbury Mint Diecast 1/24 Scale Model, Front View.

28 My 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Danbury Mint Diecast 1/24 Scale Model, Rear View.

29 My 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Danbury Mint Diecast 1/24 Scale Model, Engine 368ci V8 290hp.

30 My 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Danbury Mint Diecast 1/24 Scale Model, Interior.


Video and audio clips

1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser TV Commercial


1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Review


1957 Turnpike Cruiser Pace Car Gateway Museum CO


The Gateway Auto Museum Colorado


1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Inspection


1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Drive around


1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Volo Auto Museum, Hollywood, CA



Related

More Cars of the 1950s
More Mercury Coverage

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Comments

Mario on Jan 16, 2023 said:

The Flagship model for Mercury in 1957 was the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. Named to commemorate the creation of the new Interstate Highway System it was the Official Pace Car of the 1957 Indianapolis 500.

The 1956 Mercury XM-100 Turnpike Cruiser concept car was the inspiration behind the 1957 Turnpike Cruiser with every power item being standard equipment. It’s unique “Breezeway” rear retractable window and overhanging roof was its main feature as well as twin jet air ducts with radio antennas mounted to the front windshield.

In total only 23,268 examples of the Turnpike Cruiser were produced over the two Model years from 1957 to 1958. And only 1,265 1957 Pace Car Convertible Cruisers were made with a high MSRP of $4,103.

The engines ranged from 368ci V8, 290hp 4 bbl in 1957 to 430ci, 400hp Super Marauder V8 with Tri-Power in 1958.

An original 1957 Mercury Convertible Cruiser is being auctioned off by Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale AZ on Jan 25, 2023, Lot #507 from the Gateway Auto Museum in CO. Look for a high selling price. Enjoy! Mario

[Reply to this comment]

ghpcnm on Jan 22, 2023 said:

Thumbs up !!! Q: Was the single headlamps version an extra cost or discount cost option?

[Reply to this comment]

ghpcnm on Jan 22, 2023 said:

Q: Were the Continental kits dealer or factory installed options?

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Jan 22, 2023 said:

The 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser dealer brochure states the Continental Tire Kit was a Factory Installed option at extra cost.

The exception was the Turnpike Convertible Cruiser, only offered in 1957, they all came standard with a Continental Tire Kit. The MSRP for the convertible was a hefty $4103 vs $3758 for the Turnpike Coupe.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Jan 22, 2023 said:

Good question Dave. The 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Dealer Brochure states the "Quadri-Beam Headlights" were standard equipment except in So Dakota and Tennessee. They were optional on all other 1957 Mercury's.

There were other cars that had "Quadri-Beam Headlights in 1957:

Lincoln Chrysler Desoto Imperial Cadillac Eldorado Brouham Nash Ambassador

[Reply to this comment]

ghpcnm on Jan 22, 2023 said:

Thank you for the interesting info, Bro. Mario.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Jan 23, 2023 said:

Anytime Dave, good questions on a fine automobile.

[Reply to this comment]

57timemachine on Jan 25, 2023 said:

The 57 and 58 Mercury's have been some of my faves for a very long time. So amazingly typical of the late 1950's in pizazz, style and class. The 1958 was one of Roy Orbison's favorite cars and he had a beauty. Another good one Mario. Cheers.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Jan 28, 2023 said:

The 57 Turnpike Cruiser Pace Car was sold for $36,300 at Barrett Jacksons. That's a very good price for the buyer.

[Reply to this comment]


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