57 Merc data decode and identification

[AnnRenee]

Hey all!
Just bought what was supposed to be a 1957 Mercury Montclair...but research has me questioning if it's really a Monterey...and unfortunately Merc's are a new interest for me and the info out there leaves something to be desired.

I have found the data decodes for a '56 and for a '58 and the same number comes back as different models ..Why? Could they make it more confusing and did Mercury really make the 64A a different model depending on year?

What are the obvious differences between the Montclair and Monterey?

And lastly, how to determine if your y-block is a Ford or Lincoln version?

I have attached my data plate and so if anybody could help, it would be appreciated. I'm really excited for this new project!!!

 

[paul2748]

Model numbers could vary according to year.


A picture of the engine can tell us what you have.

 

[mercman from oz]

AnnRenee - Your car is a 1957 Mercury Monterey Phaeton Coupe.
Note that the Hubcaps shown are 1964 Mercury.

 

[mercman from oz]

The above pictures are from the original Sales Brochure and show the Montclair and Monterey series Phaetons.
For 1957, Mercury called the 2 and 4 door hardtops Phaetons.
As you can see, both series are very similar on the exterior, but if you look closely, the Chrome Strip is wider before it dips on the Montclair than the narrower Strip on the Monterey.

 

[mercman from oz]

The Big M for 1957

 

[mercman from oz]

Data Plate

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Your top set of numbers and letters read just like the 52'-54' Mercury.

Based on that:

57SL27091M

57 - year of production
SL - It was built at the Saint Lewis plant
27091 - production sequence
M - Mercury

Specks:

http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=5351&year=1957&model=27258

 

[KULTULZ]

And lastly, how to determine if your y-block is a Ford or Lincoln version?

It could be either for 1957, either a 312CI FYB or 368CI LYB.

This may help a little - https://forums.aaca.org/topic/45820-57-mercury-serial-s/

See how the responses go and will dig into it more thoroughly.

 

[scicala]

According to my info 64A is a Monterey two door sedan (B pillar post). 63A is a two door hard top Monterey Phaeton.
The 312 and 368 Lincoln Y-Blocks both have two studs coming through the valve caovers to hold them down. The Lincoln Y Block valve covers have two ribs by each stud.
I think there was a MEL serie engine available in '57 too. That engine wouldn't have valve covers held down like the two Y Blocks.
I don't think there is a way to identify the engine with the VIN on Merury's like with Ford's.

Sal

 

[rotorwrench]

I'd be wondering if someone was changing body tags around since the OP's photo of the car indicates it's a hard top model 63 Phaeton Coupe. FoMoCo must have repurposed the meaning of the word Phaeton for those models unless they were thinking about making them retractables. The 1957 Ford was available in a retractable model as the Skyliner but that didn't happen in the Mercury line of cars.

There was very little difference between the premium scale Montclair 63B and the Monterey 63A. If a person was trading parts and bodies around then that might explain it. Maybe they only had a title for a 64A basic 2-door sedan but they had a hard top body.

The Lincoln Y-block is a good bit larger then the Ford Y-block even though they look similar.

 

[mercman from oz]

1957 Mercury Monterey Two Door Sedan.
Notice that this car has Twin Headlights, a feature that was not offered when the 1957 Mercurys were first released.

 

[mercman from oz]

1957 Mercury Montclair Phaeton Coupe with the Twin Headlights.
Notice the thicker chrome strip, as mentioned in Post #4
This car was imported to Australia when new and converted to Right Hand Drive.
The new owner who is going to fully restore this car.
Mercurys later than the 1948 models are very rare in Australia.

 

[KULTULZ]

According to my info 64A is a Monterey two door sedan (B pillar post). 63A is a two door hard top Monterey Phaeton.

CORRECT.

The 312 and 368 Lincoln Y-Blocks both have two studs coming through the valve caovers to hold them down. The Lincoln Y Block valve covers have two ribs by each stud.

I think there was a MEL serie engine available in '57 too. That engine wouldn't have valve covers held down like the two Y Blocks.

The 312 had GREEN ROCKER COVERS and ACL whereas the 368 had RED.

SCUTTLE BUTT has it the MEL 410 was to go to the 57 MERC. FORD had casting issues with the MEL and production was delayed. MERC went with the LYB 368 for a PREMIUM ENGINE that year. The MEL 410 then went to the 58 EDSEL as they started assembly before the rest of the 1958 FORD LINE.

I don't think there is a way to identify the engine with the VIN on Merury's like with Ford's.

Sal

ENGINE ID (VIN) began in 1958.

If you show a photo of the engine, we should be able to ID it.

DOES the PATENT PLATE VIN match the title?

 

[KULTULZ]

Here is some info you may find interesting -

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1957-mercury

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Good article. I hope all the parts came with that.

If that was my car, the fist thing I would be doing, is checking to see if the "push button" transmission still works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPXuEqQHn8I

https://www.mercuryclub.com/forums/topic/1958-pushbutton-transmission/

If there are issues with the push button selector, I would recommend you pick up a can of WD-40 electrical contact cleaner to clean the contacts. It can work wonders. My Wurlitzer taught me that, during my restoration.

 

[AnnRenee]

Thank you everyone for weighing in! The tip about the wider trim and dual headlights was very helpful and the kind of information I was searching for! I'll be doing some more research into the motor next!

The car was bought at auction as a Montclair and was on bill of sale. I needed to verify model type so I could work on getting a title. The car was cheap enough to take a chance on but like I said, Merc's are a new interest for me, so I am really just trying to learn whatever I can and I reached out here after finding lacking or conflicting info on the web.


Thank you all very much! Your help and info is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[scicala]

"SCUTTLE BUTT has it the MEL 410 was to go to the 57 MERC. FORD had casting issues with the MEL and production was delayed. MERC went with the LYB 368 for a PREMIUM ENGINE that year. The MEL 410 then went to the 58 EDSEL as they started assembly before the rest of the 1958 FORD LINE."

True that the 410 MEL series engine wasn't available in the '57 Merc., but there was a MEL 430 Marauder engine available with multiple carburetors.

Sal

 

[KULTULZ]

"SCUTTLE BUTT has it the MEL 410 was to go to the 57 MERC. FORD had casting issues with the MEL and production was delayed. MERC went with the LYB 368 for a PREMIUM ENGINE that year. The MEL 410 then went to the 58 EDSEL as they started assembly before the rest of the 1958 FORD LINE."

True that the 410 MEL series engine wasn't available in the '57 Merc., but there was a MEL 430 Marauder engine available with multiple carburetors.

Sal

In 1958. The LYB 368CI M-335 8V was the HI-PO option for the 57 MERC.

 

[scicala]

In '57 the Mercury with the MEL 430 Marouder had three two barrel carbs.

Sal

 

[KULTULZ]

The MEL was not introduced until the 1958 MODEL RUN.

The 1958 MERCURY 430 SUPER MARAUDER 3X2 400HP was the hot lick that year.