Montclair was Mercury’s top-of-the-line series and brand new for 1955. And within that series was the Sun Valley moved from the Monterey series – a convertible influenced hardtop that was first introduced the previous year.
Featuring a transparent, plexiglass top covering the front half of the roof, it gave a new experience in driving with much more of the outdoors entering your range of vision.
This 1955 Mercury Montclair Sun Valley in Arbor Green is one of only 1,787 cars produced that year.
The downside of the plexiglass top is that it would cause a heat buildup inside the car – it does look fantastic though!
The Montclair sat slightly lower than other Mercurys giving it a more sporty look.
Power comes from a 292 cubic inch Super-Torque V8 engine (new for 1955) with a 4-barrel carburetor producing 188 horsepower. This one has been changed slightly with a ’59 Merc spread bore intake manifold.
This is paired with the optional Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission and bringing the purchase cost when new, up another $190. Dual exhaust was standard in Montclair.
Further options on this particular car include, power windows, powered bench seat, power steering ($108) and power brakes ($45).
Mercury made just 1,787 Montclair Sun Valley cars for the 1955 model year. They had a base price of $2,712 and were exactly the same price as the convertible. Sadly the Sun Valley wasn’t to last and it was discontinued that year.
This ’55 Sun Valley is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for even more photos)
the 55 Montclair is my favorite car, my dad bought one back in the day in Garden City KS to drive back and forth between where he was working and northeast Texas where we live. His was a turq green and white and a real top roller
A real beauty, like new! WOW!
the reason its lower is the montclair has a roof thats 2″ shorter than the rest of the mercs
this cars new roof window is made out of cast acrylic not plexiglass that did not not stand up to uv rays good.
the color is arbor green and arctic white
i love 55 merc my first car was a 55 monclair power windows power seats white with red top and red by the side bottom of windows back in 68 i but a hood bubble scroop on in and 2/4 blocks by springs to lift back end up sure do miss her my dad had 55 white /black top black by windows black kit cruiser skirts spot lights we also had a black top convertabal also blue and white converabal we had 3 of them at one time never knew how rare they would be neverless those were the good old days sure do miss the hell out of whose times