Rick Johnson 27-Oct-2005 02:52
1956 Mercury Custom Series four-door, six passenger Station Wagon. The Custom series station wagon was the lowest-priced wagon produced by Mercury for 1956. Mercury produced 8,478 six passenger, and 9,292 eight passenger Custom series wagons at an asking price of $2,722 and $ 2,819, respectively. 1956 Mercury wagons rode a 118 inch wheelbase. All Mercurys were powered by a 312 cubic inch V-8 engine that was rated at 225 horsepower with an automatic transmission. Total 1956 Mercury production was 328,000. 1956 Mercurys featured a single "Z" shaped chrome side molding that delineated the contrast color when popular optional two-toning was chosen. The color beneath the molding usually matched the roof color. Mercury's '56 advertising campaign called the car "The Big M", and the center front section of the hood featured a large stylized chrome letter "M". Lincoln-Mercury was the major sponsor of the popular Sunday night "Ed Sullivan Show" on television, and most Americans were introduced to the 1956 Mercury from commercial clips on that show. Mercurys that year were known for their bright-color hues, especially orange, green, yellow, and blue. They also introduced a new Phaeton Hardtop Sedan in all four series,,,,,Medalist, Custom, Monterey, and Montclair. Mercurys ranged in price from $2,254 for an entry level Medalist two door sedan, to 2,977 for an 8 passenger, four-door Monterey station wagon. Two convertibles were offered in Custom and Montclair series.