Mercury S-55

1966 Mercury S-55
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercury (Ford)
Production	1962–1963 1966–1967
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout
Related	Ford Galaxie Mercury Monterey

The Mercury S-55 is an automobile that was manufactured by Mercury. Mercury 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. The "S" package was a marketing response to the Buick Gran Sport package offered on Buick vehicles offered during the same time.

1962–1963

In 1962 Mercury introduced the S-55 a full-size car to match the Ford 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. For 1962, the S-55 was offered solely as a two-door hardtop and two-door convertible.

For 1963, the Mercury Monterey/S-55 was freshened, with the S-55 now available in every body style: two-door and four-door "Breezeway" hardtop sedans, two-door convertible, and a two-door "Marauder" fastback sedan introduced as a 1963¹⁄₂ model. 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 (300 hp and 330 hp) and the 406 CID (3-2V or 4V). Introduced mid-model year in the S-55 Monterey was Mercury's top engine offering, the special order 406/405HP (6V). This triple holley carbureted engine was good for over 95 mph in the quarter mile according to Road & Track in a road test.^[1] Available for the first time in 1963 was Ford's famous 427 CID 4V.

For the 1964 model year, the three models of the Mercury "S" line were discontinued. In place of the S-55, Mercury offered the Marauder as the fastback version of the full-size Monterey, Montclair, and Park Lane model lines. To remain in line with the Ford Galaxie 500XL, the Marauder offered the same big-block engines as the S-55 along with similar bucket seats-and-console interior trim.

1966–1967

1966 Mercury S-55 Convertible

For 1966, Mercury 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 transmission.) 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 were 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)

References

1. http://www.mercurystuff.com/articles/1962-S-55-roadtest/1962-S-55-roadtest.html

• Ford Motor Company (June 15, 1965). "Mercury 1966 move ahead with Mercury in the Lincoln Continental tradition" - Complete Model Line Description Brochure (1st ed.). Dearborn, MI. pp. 1–33.