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1968 Mercury Montclair: Middle Class Comfort
I’m a simple man. I like classic cars, supper clubs and pretty women. But mostly classic cars. And as such, I am always on the lookout for interesting vintage rolling stock, whether I’m at a car show or driving to the supermarket. And I never know when I’ll stumble upon something interesting. Today’s subject is a case in point.
Back in June of 2022, my employer had a nice event at the local ball park—a night of baseball and evening fireworks. I’m not terribly interested in sports, but I don’t mind a baseball game once in a while, so I attended and had a fine time.
But lo and behold, after the game and fireworks (which were excellent), I spotted this remarkably well-preserved 1968 Mercury Montclair, in oh-so-period correct Lime Frost.
It was dark and I wasn’t sure how well my pictures would turn out, but I couldn’t help but take time out to gawk at it and take several photos before heading back to the MKZ and home. It was really sharp and in great condition.
The Montclair was the mid-line full size Mercury in 1968, positioned between the base model Monterey and fancier Park Lane. In the domestic hierarchy it was similar to an Oldsmobile Delta 88 or Chrysler Newport Custom. Nice, not the base model, but not the extra-flossy top of the line. As period Lincoln-Mercury advertising stated, “…with the fine car touch…by the makers of Lincoln Continental.”
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Of course, this was back when you could still get a fine Lincoln Continental, and before Lincoln decided no one could buy an elegant, new Lincoln sedan, forcing Klockaus to ditch the marque in search of an appropriately luxurious four-door from another marque. But never mind!
I didn’t realize it at the time, but 1968 Montclairs are rather scarce. According to my copy of American Cars 1946-1975, only 7,255 Montclair pillared sedans were built for the model year, with a base price of $3331. Two other Montclairs were available, the $3387 two-door hardtop and $3459 four-door hardtop.
Those two were even more scarce, with 3,497 two-door hardtops and 4,008 four-door hardtops built. This may be why the Montclair last appeared in 1968. Come 1969, there were Marquis Broughams, Marquises, Monterey Customs, Montereys, and a Marauder two-door hardtop, but no Montclairs to be found.
Which made seeing this seemingly immaculately well-preserved example in June 2022 all the more remarkable. I was happy to see it, and even more pleased that I had the presence of mind to stop and document its existence! I miss Mercury. If there was a new Marquis Brougham, Marauder or Montclair available in 2024, I’d be a buyer!
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A nice conservative, comfortable automobile. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how large these kind of sedans actually were compared to current ones.
Looks like FoMoCo used the same wheel covers as were on the 68-69 Galaxy. Maybe a different center?
Paul, I agree. We had a 69 Country Sedan and other than the wagon body, these look identical from the side and our wheel covers had the Ford emblem, vs. the Mercury. The front of these two brand-engineered models were quite similar too, with the Mercury being a bit ‘flossier’ to use a Thomas word I like, but both very blunt-nosed. Cool ride.
As documented by our ever observent photographer a proper mid priced family sedan among a sea of CUV ie modern station wagons. This car probably has a home in the garage of a mid-century brick rambler. Great find.
Dear Thomas: Another lovely set of photographs on a great sedan. I believe this had the last remnant of the Mercury-only “Breezeway” rear windows, which in 1967 and 1968 could drop down a few inches into the trunk. That is the inset of the rear glass into the roof pillars. I owned a 1968 LTD pillared sedan in the same color for many years, with the 390 c.i. 2-bbl. FE-block V-8. The 6-way power front bench seat made that car a lot more comfortable than the usual sliding manual bench. That was a wonderful car until a church van hit it on an icy day. The 390 V-8 with the two-barrel Autolite carb. ran just great and it got decent mileage because it never needed much throttle! -Bobo KC
Now I have the 67 Parklane which cleared 153,000 miles. The entire front end and rear end have been rebuilt by me. The 410 is now on an engine stand waiting to be assembled by me. The only hold up is waiting for the camshaft which was ordered 2 months ago. I am supposed to have it in another week I hear. While I have cars of all sizes I really enjoy driving this large car.
Reminds me of Steve Magarrett on Hawaii Five o.
Book ’em Danno, murder one.
This delightful old relic got me thinking about the car scene in general in 1968, when I was a car-obsessed lad of 12 living in the DC area. We were always on the I-495 Beltway, often at a crawl, and this provided me with a festival of cars, including a few foreigners, streaming by the back window of my parents’ 1963 Plymouth Valiant wagon as I pressed my nose to the glass. I’ll never forget the first time I spotted a brand new Porsche 911 in the midst of the sea of massive Detroit iron. It was headed east near the current site of the Mormon Temple in Silver Spring. Stark silver, it looked like nothing else I had ever seen, and its image is forever seared in my brain.
What a treat Thomas, even as a 13 year old these big Mercs appealed to me. But not as much as the Cougar. Where I grew up big Mercury sedans or Meteors seemed the norm. Full-size Pontiacs (Canadian) were also in abundance it seems. My father could never afford such a big sedan nor could one fit in our single car garage. No one from either side of the family could afford a full-size Mercury, but I did have an uncle who had a 67 Meteor Montcalm.
I was LUCKY enough to have a 1968 Mercury Montego MX 2dr when I was 19-20 years old . Beautiful car …..dark green ,black interior , 302 V8 under the hood. Loved the classic look of the car …..I wish I still had it . Sadly rolled it in a ice storm in Feb. 1973 !!
I miss Mercury (along with dozens of other makes.)
And in Canada we had the Montcalm
I’ve got one!
Love the write ups on affordable old cars.
You just don’t see these plain Jane old drivers much anymore
I bought a very used 1968 Monterey 4 door years ago for $500, third gear was elusive. The owner gave me paper work from Ford stating the engine was experimental, a 390, and when I tried to buy parts for it, Ford had no engine number to order from. It was very fast and torquey, great for burnouts, sold it as is for $500 to another guy who fixed the trans. Still have the paperwork from Ford somewhere. Had a very nice exhaust rumble and loopy idle, memory a bit faded since 1986 purchase. Another urban legend…or one exposed.
The car looks good. I would have been gawking over it taking pictures myself also. I love random finds at unexpected times like this.
OMG…recall the ‘behind the barn’ purchase of a ’68 Meteor Montcalm two door sport roof in my teenage years… 428 with a four speed ~ what a beast …would pull the front wheel on AV gas… and I think drums all around[?]… thanks for the memory blast…and then the 68 like this with auto and 302 as I recall for $50 bucks in the day… [ Canada always had the oddball combos… ]miss those days indeed… Casey, remember this one?