March 29, 2024

350lachine

Automotive pure lust

1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Hardtop Coupe

1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Hardtop Coupe

In 1956, Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the National interstate and Defense Highway Act. This Act appropriated 25 billion dollars for the construction of 41,000 miles of American highway. And, in the spirit of free enterprise, the people at Mercury had just the right vehicle to enjoy those roads.The Mercury Turnpike Cruisers were produced by the Mercury division of Ford. They were named Turnpike Cruiser to commemorate the creation of the Interstate Highway System. The 1957 Turnpike Cruiser was perched atop the Mercury lineup. It sported a 368 cubic-inch, 290 horsepower V8 engine, a compound curve windshield, tailfins, and Breezeway Ventilation. The futuristic theme continued into the cockpit, where an elliptical steering wheel, Monitor Control Panel, and the pre-cursor to memory seating all ensuring that the occupants were ready to cruise.Available in both a two door and four door hardtop style, the Turnpike Cruiser remained in production for only two years. The American consumers then turned towards smaller, more economical and lower cost transportation.

23,268 examples of the Turnpike Cruiser were produced during the two years of production, 1,265 being the Convertible Cruiser. In 1958, Mercury discontinued the Turnpike Cruiser, replacing it with the Park Lane.

This Turnpike Cruiser is one of the special 1957 two-tone combinations, Sunset Orchid and Tuxedo Black.