Mercury Turnpike Cruiser

The Turnpike Cruiser shared its rear-wheel drive chassis with the Monterey and Montclair, using a 122-inch wheelbase.[7] Using body-on frame construction, the front axle of the Turnpike Cruiser was fitted with independent ball-joint front suspension with coil springs; the live rear axle was fitted with leaf springs.[7] 11-inch drum brakes were fitted to all four wheels.[7]

For 1958, the chassis (using a 124-inch wheelbase) was adopted by Edsel for its premium Corsair and Citation model lines.

For 1957, the Turnpike Cruiser was fitted with a 368 cubic-inch V8, producing 290 hp.[8] Sharing its name with the car, the 290-hp engine was offered as an option across the rest of the Mercury line. For 1958, two all-new "Marauder" engines were introduced. The standard engine (shared with the Montclair and Colony Park) was a 383 cubic-inch V8, producing 330 hp.[9] A 430 cubic-inch version (shared with the Park Lane) produced 360 hp.[9][10] As a special order option, a triple-carburetor "Super Marauder" version of the 430 V8 produced 400 hp.[9][11][12] Exclusive to Mercury, the Super Marauder was the first factory-produced engine with a 400 hp output.

All Turnpike Cruiser engines were paired with a 3-speed "Merc-O-Matic" automatic. In place of a column-mounted shifter, the transmission shifter was push-button operated (along with the parking brake).[13] For 1958, the shifter was redesigned, adding multiple drive ranges.[14][15]

Closeup of "breezeway" rear window in closed position, 1958 Montclair Turnpike Cruiser

Closeup image of rooftop air intake/radio antenna, 1957 Turnpike Cruiser

During its production, the Turnpike Cruiser was offered as a two-door and four-door hardtop. To serve as the pace car for the 1957 Indianapolis 500, a convertible was created (named the Convertible Cruiser), leading Mercury to offer a version for sale. Effectively one of the first replica pace cars, the Convertible Cruiser was offered in a single yellow (Sun Glitter) exterior color and were fitted with the optional continental tire kit.

While sharing much of its body with the Montclair, the Turnpike Cruiser was distinguished by several exterior design features. Although not legalized across the entire United States until 1958, quad headlamps were fitted as standard equipment (the only 1957 Mercury to do so, as well as one of very few cars from that year to be equipped as such); for states that still allowed the use of single headlights only, the Turnpike Cruiser also used the then-standard singles setup. In place of contrasting paint, the scalloped tailfins were gold-anodized. Distinguished by its retractable "Breezeway" rear window, the Turnpike Cruiser received a separate roofline, along with a windshield curving into the roof;[20] the windshield was among the first to use tint to reduce solar glare.[13] As a consequence of the compound-curve design of the windshield, Mercury added rooftop ventilation intakes to the Turnpike Cruiser to cover a body seam (in a secondary function, each intake also housed a radio antenna).[20] Coupled with the retractable rear window, the Turnpike Cruiser was among the first cars to offer flow-through ventilation; air conditioning and power side windows were additional cost options.[21] For 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser adapted the styling changes of the Montclair and Monterey, shifting the grilles into the front bumper. The rear fascia multiple changes, as the gold-anodized trim was removed from the scalloped fins; "rocket-style" taillamps were added.[22] To distinguish the model line from the Montclair (and Park Lane), the Turnpike Cruiser was given gold trim for its badging (including the Mercury "M" grille badge).

The interior of the Turnpike Cruiser offered several features distinct from other Mercury sedans. To aid forward visibility, a flat-top deep-dish steering wheel was fitted (to match the curve of the instrument panel).[20][23] Alongside a tachometer ("to measure engine efficiency"[13]),[8] the instrument panel was fitted with a clock to calculate average speed and a trip odometer (effectively, a trip computer).[20] One of the first memory seats, "Seat-O-Matic" was programmable and moved down and back when the ignition was off.[20][24] While not equipped with cruise control, in 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser (alongside all Mercurys) was introduced with a programmable speed warning, setting off a warning if a preset speed was exceeded.[24]

The Turnpike Cruiser standardized several Mercury safety features, including a padded dashboard (and dashboard gauges[20]), a deep-dish flat-top steering wheel, and safety door locks; seatbelts were optional, alongside a safety harness for children.[20] Nearly 10 years before their introduction, the design of the taillamps performed as side marker lamps.[20]

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  1957 Turnpike Cruiser 4-door hardtop
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  1957 Turnpike Cruiser 4-door hardtop
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  1957 Turnpike Cruiser 4-door hardtop; rear window closed
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  1957 Turnpike Cruiser; rare version produced with single headlamps
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  rear view, showing optional Continental tire kit

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  1957 Mercury Convertible Cruiser; produced as Indianapolis 500 replica pace car.
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  1958 Montclair Turnpike Cruiser
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  1958 Montclair Turnpike Cruiser
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  1958 Montclair Turnpike Cruiser, showing gold "big M" badge