All cars have a story

"pitstop_pitowski" (paulopitstoppitowski) 07/22/2016 at 19:53 • Filed to: Gallery, Concours, Car Stories

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The story behind this particular 1955 Mercury Montclair Convertible and its restoration is pretty interesting.

This car was one of the many displayed at the Kansas City Art of the Car Concours and is owned and was restored by Chuck and Ginger Freeman out of Aurora, Colorado.

The sign below reads:

In 1994, I purchased our 1955 Mercury Montclair Convertible for literally the cost of a side of beef. When I first saw the car it was sitting in a farmer’s field just east of Denver. I contacted the farmer to see if the car was for sale, and he informed me that he didn’t own the car and gave me the phone number of the fellow who did. When I called him, he said that the farmer actually did own the car because he had once received a side of beef from the farmer and never paid him. I then called the farmer back and told him the story. He agreed to sell me the car for the cost of the side of beef ($800.00).

This particular Mercury Montclair is a convertible and was one of 10,668 manufactured. With a base price of $2,712.00 it featured a 292 cubic inch V8 with a 4 barrel carb.

The color is Gulfstream Blue Metallic and it featured power brakes, power steering, and was the first year that both front and rear seatbelts were offered!

This one even has such amenities as a tissue dispenser and the “Multi-lube System”. You could lube the chassis while driving by simply pushing a button.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > pitstop_pitowski 07/22/2016 at 19:58

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I love when a car has a story other than "I bought it from some dealership, the end". It just adds to the character and really helps the owner bond with the car when something fun goes along with it. Same goes for interesting restomod processes and just dedication to maintenance.

shop-teacher > pitstop_pitowski 07/22/2016 at 21:14

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That is a cool story!

functionoverfashion > pitstop_pitowski 07/22/2016 at 22:01

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As the owner of a 1961 ford pickup with approximately 23 grease points underneath, I would love some system that did not require me spending 10 minutesshuffling around under the truck on my back with a grease gun. Multi-lube. ... mmmmm

Urambo Tauro > functionoverfashion 07/22/2016 at 22:18

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I’m also interested in learning more about how this “Multi-lube System” works. Alas, my Google-fu comes up short.

I did manage to find an eBay listing for a Multi Lube System - “Dip Stick” :

If you have, or are going to include the Multi Lube System on your car, most likely you do not have the Original Dip Stick that made the puncture to release the fluid. Over time, this item had been lost or discarded immediately after use so very hard to locate today.

Also, this newsletter , which does little more than briefly mention the system’s existence:

The car also has the factory push button front end multi-lube system… for that “fresh greased feeling every time you drive” …according to the owner’s manual.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > pitstop_pitowski 08/10/2016 at 12:35

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Do you suppose he powder-coated the yellow bits under the bonnet?

pitstop_pitowski > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 08/10/2016 at 18:48

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I think so; two-tone paint was a pretty popular thing to do back in the 1950's and it looked to be returned back to stock condition.