Mercury S-55
Encyclopedia
Mercury
, a division of the Ford Motor Company
added the S-55, a full-size performance / luxury vehicle to its S or "Special" line in 1962. The S-55 was first available from 1962 to 19631/2. The S-55 was not available from mid-1963 to 1965. The S-55 was re-introduced in 1966 as its own model. In 1967 while still maintaining a unique model and body code it was now available as a packaged option i.e. S-55 Performance Package. 1967 marked the end of the big "S" model.
introduced the S-55 a full-size car to match Ford’s Galaxie 500/XL
. The S-55 joined the existing Mercury “S” or “Special” line consisting of the S-22 Comet
and S-33 Meteor
. The Comet S-22 was introduced in 1961 while the Meteor S-33, like the S-55, was introduced in 1962. The first year model run offered the S-55 package in two body styles, 2d ht and convertible.
The completely redesigned 1963 S-55 was offered in four different body styles: a 2-door Breezeway Hardtop, a 4-door Breezeway Hardtop, and a 2-door Convertible. Later as a 1963 1/2 you could also get the S55 as a 2 door fastback. Each of these models included the full S-55 trim of bucket seats and console.
Power trains available for 1962-1963 included two different versions of the 390 (300hp and 330 hp) and the 406 CID (3-2V or 4V). Available for the first time in 1963 was Ford's famous 427 CID 4V.
during the S-55's absence.
re-introduced the S-55 as separate model on its own with a 2-door Hardtop and a 2-door Convertible. While the S-55 in its previous years had been an upgraded interior and trim package, the 1966 S-55 was now all about performance. It was based on the Monterey trim level and came with the new for the year Super Marauder 428 V-8 engine that was rated at 345-hp. Dual exhaust for reduced engine back-pressure complete the power package. Ready at hand, a console mounted 4-speed manual transmission or a special Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission (buyer's choice: optional at extra cost). (NOTE: Information available indicates that all automatic transmissions for the 1966 S-55 were the aluminum cased C6, however early production cars may have come with cast iron Ford "Cruise-O-Matic" or mixed material aluminum bell-housing and tail case with cast iron core Ford "Cruise-O-Matic" automatic transmission rebadged as Merc-O-Matic automatic transmissions.) The interior featured bucket seats and a console with floor shifter similar to what you could find in Ford's luxury/performance full-size car, the 7-Litre. Styling accents include unique body side-striping, deluxe wheel covers and the distinctive S-55 emblem on rear quarter panel and 428 V-8 emblem on the front fender sides. The 1966 Mercury featured "Torque Box" construction—frames individually tuned to minimize noise and harshness. Styling was square and clean "in the Lincoln Continental tradition," as the ads put it. Few S-55's were sold, although Mercury generally had a successful big-car year in 1966.
The last year for a Mercury S-55 was 1967, now once again as an option package for the Monterey series like it had been in the early years. As in 1966 the only available engine was the 428 Super Marauder. It also featured an engine dress up kit, high performance suspension and a deluxe sound system. Both 2-door Hardtop and 2-door Convertible was available. The 1967 Mercury Monterey S-55 was phased out almost as soon as the model year began, probably because big performance cars were deemed inappropriate for a make with luxury aspirations. Styling was of the new rounded "Coke-bottle" school adopted this year, and somewhat less distinctive than before, though more and more like a Lincoln. The glamor and the S-55 special touches were all there, but the "S-55 Sports Package" offering was a sure sign that the end was near for the Mercury "Special" cars.
Mercury (automobile)
Mercury was an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors' Buick brand, and Chrysler's namesake brand...
, a division of the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
added the S-55, a full-size performance / luxury vehicle to its S or "Special" line in 1962. The S-55 was first available from 1962 to 19631/2. The S-55 was not available from mid-1963 to 1965. The S-55 was re-introduced in 1966 as its own model. In 1967 while still maintaining a unique model and body code it was now available as a packaged option i.e. S-55 Performance Package. 1967 marked the end of the big "S" model.
1962–1963
In 1962 MercuryMercury (automobile)
Mercury was an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors' Buick brand, and Chrysler's namesake brand...
introduced the S-55 a full-size car to match Ford’s Galaxie 500/XL
Ford Galaxie
The Ford Galaxie was a full-size car built in the United States by the Ford Motor Company for model years 1959 through 1974. The name was used for the top models in Ford’s full-size range from 1959 until 1961, in a marketing attempt to appeal to the excitement surrounding the Space Race...
. The S-55 joined the existing Mercury “S” or “Special” line consisting of the S-22 Comet
Mercury Comet
The Mercury Comet is an automobile produced by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company from 1960–1969 and 1971-1977 — variously as either a compact or an intermediate car.The Comet was based on the compact Ford Falcon and later the Ford Maverick...
and S-33 Meteor
Mercury Meteor
The Mercury Meteor was an automobile model produced by the Lincoln Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company from 1961 to 1963. For 1961, the name was applied to low-end full-sized vehicles; for 1962 and 1963, the name was applied to Mercury's mid-sized sedans, in a marketing attempt to appeal to...
. The Comet S-22 was introduced in 1961 while the Meteor S-33, like the S-55, was introduced in 1962. The first year model run offered the S-55 package in two body styles, 2d ht and convertible.
The completely redesigned 1963 S-55 was offered in four different body styles: a 2-door Breezeway Hardtop, a 4-door Breezeway Hardtop, and a 2-door Convertible. Later as a 1963 1/2 you could also get the S55 as a 2 door fastback. Each of these models included the full S-55 trim of bucket seats and console.
Power trains available for 1962-1963 included two different versions of the 390 (300hp and 330 hp) and the 406 CID (3-2V or 4V). Available for the first time in 1963 was Ford's famous 427 CID 4V.
1964–1965
For 1964 and 1965 the S-55 model was not produced. The Comet S-22 and the Meteor S-33 were also discontinued. This marked the end of the S-22 and S-33 as they would not return. However the S-55 would once again be produced starting with the 1966 model year. Mercury did offer the MarauderMercury Marauder
The Marauder name first appeared as a 1963½ model in the full-size Mercury lineup. It was available as a 2-door hardtop with a forward-slanted "fastback" roofline; this was the reverse of the Breezeway roof introduced on other full-size Mercurys...
during the S-55's absence.
1966–1967
For 1966, MercuryMercury (automobile)
Mercury was an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors' Buick brand, and Chrysler's namesake brand...
re-introduced the S-55 as separate model on its own with a 2-door Hardtop and a 2-door Convertible. While the S-55 in its previous years had been an upgraded interior and trim package, the 1966 S-55 was now all about performance. It was based on the Monterey trim level and came with the new for the year Super Marauder 428 V-8 engine that was rated at 345-hp. Dual exhaust for reduced engine back-pressure complete the power package. Ready at hand, a console mounted 4-speed manual transmission or a special Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission (buyer's choice: optional at extra cost). (NOTE: Information available indicates that all automatic transmissions for the 1966 S-55 were the aluminum cased C6, however early production cars may have come with cast iron Ford "Cruise-O-Matic" or mixed material aluminum bell-housing and tail case with cast iron core Ford "Cruise-O-Matic" automatic transmission rebadged as Merc-O-Matic automatic transmissions.) The interior featured bucket seats and a console with floor shifter similar to what you could find in Ford's luxury/performance full-size car, the 7-Litre. Styling accents include unique body side-striping, deluxe wheel covers and the distinctive S-55 emblem on rear quarter panel and 428 V-8 emblem on the front fender sides. The 1966 Mercury featured "Torque Box" construction—frames individually tuned to minimize noise and harshness. Styling was square and clean "in the Lincoln Continental tradition," as the ads put it. Few S-55's were sold, although Mercury generally had a successful big-car year in 1966.
The last year for a Mercury S-55 was 1967, now once again as an option package for the Monterey series like it had been in the early years. As in 1966 the only available engine was the 428 Super Marauder. It also featured an engine dress up kit, high performance suspension and a deluxe sound system. Both 2-door Hardtop and 2-door Convertible was available. The 1967 Mercury Monterey S-55 was phased out almost as soon as the model year began, probably because big performance cars were deemed inappropriate for a make with luxury aspirations. Styling was of the new rounded "Coke-bottle" school adopted this year, and somewhat less distinctive than before, though more and more like a Lincoln. The glamor and the S-55 special touches were all there, but the "S-55 Sports Package" offering was a sure sign that the end was near for the Mercury "Special" cars.
S-55 Data Sheet / Statistics
| Year | Car Line and Series Name | Body Style | Body Style Code | Price | Production Numbers | Engine Choices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Monterey S-55 | 2-door Hardtop | 65C | 3,488 | 2,772 | 390-CID V-8 (4V) (300 or 330 |
| 1962 | Monterey S-55 | 2-door Convertible | 76B | 3,738 | 1,315 | horsepower); 406 V-8 (4V or 3-2V) |
| 1963 | Monterey S-55 | 2-door Hardtop with Breezeway Design | 65C | 3,650 | 3,863 | 390-CID V-8 (4V)(300 or |
| 1963 | Monterey S-55 | 2-door Marauder Hardtop | 63C | 3,650 | 2,317 | 330 horsepower); 406-CID |
| 1963 | Monterey S-55 | 4-door Hardtop with Breezeway Design | 75C | 3,715 | 1,203 | V-8 (4V or 3-2V); |
| 1963 | Monterey S-55 | 2-door Convertible | 76B | 3,900 | 1,379 | 427 CID V-8 (4V)(2-4V) |
| 1966 | S-55 | 2-door Hardtop (Fastback) | 63G | 3,292 | 2,916 | 428-CID V-8 (4V)(345HP) |
| 1966 | S-55 | 2-door Convertible | 76G | 3,614 | 669 | 428(4V) 345 HP |
| 1967 | S-55 | 2-door Hardtop (Fastback) | 63G | 3,511 | 570 | 428-CID V-8 (4V) |
| 1967 | S-55 | 2-door Convertible | 76G | 3,837 | 145 | 428-CID V-8 (4V) |