Mercury Voyager
Mercury Voyager | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Mercury (Ford) |
Model years | 1957-1958 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Full-size |
Body style |
|
Layout | FR layout |
Platform | 1957 Mercury |
Chassis | body-on-frame |
Related | Mercury Monterey Mercury Montclair Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Mercury Commuter Mercury Colony Park |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 312 cu in (5.1 L) Ford Y-block V8 368 cu in (6.0 L) Lincoln Y-Block V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) MEL V8 430 cu in (7.0 L) MEL V8 |
Transmission | 3-speed Merc-o-Matic automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 122 in (3,099 mm) |
Length | 212.3 in (5,392 mm) (1957) 214.2 in (5,441 mm) (1958) |
Width | 79.1 in (2,009 mm) |
Height | 58.3 in (1,481 mm) |
The Mercury Voyager is a station wagon that was sold by the Mercury division of Ford for the 1957 and 1958 model years. For the 1957 model year, Mercury created a model range of station wagons distinct from sedans, following Ford (and later Edsel). The Voyager served as the mid-range offering, slotted above the base-trim Mercury Commuter, with the woodgrained Colony Park serving as the top-range offering.
For the 1959 model year, Ford consolidated the station wagon nameplates of its non-Lincoln divisions, with the Voyager withdrawn alongside the Ford Del Rio, Edsel Roundup, and Edsel Bermuda.
Design overview[]
Following the 1956 introduction of the hardtop station wagon by Rambler, in 1957, Mercury became the first American manufacturer to produce its entire station wagon line in a hardtop bodystyle.[1] Serving as the mid-range Mercury station wagon, the Voyager was trimmed between the Mercury Monterey and Mercury Montclair sedans.
Chassis[]
As with the Commuter, Colony Park, and Mercury sedans of the time, the 1957-1958 Mercury Voyager was constructed using a body-on-frame chassis.[2] Sharing its chassis with the rest of the Mercury range, the Voyager is built on a 122-inch wheelbase.[2][3]
During its production, the Voyager was offered exclusively with V8 engines. For 1957, the standard engine was a 312 cubic-inch "Safety-Surge" V8, producing 255 hp, with a 368 cubic-inch "Turnpike Cruiser" V8 producing 290 hp as an option.[2] For 1958, Mercury revised its engine offerings, introducing the MEL-series V8. A 383 cubic-inch "Marauder" V8 producing 330 hp, was standard for the Voyager, with a 430 cubic-inch "Super Marauder" V8 was an option, producing 400 hp.[4] The Super Marauder V8 was notable for becoming the first American mass-produced engine to reach an output of 400 hp.
For all four V8 engines, a 3-speed "Merc-O-Matic" automatic transmission was used. In a break from Ford and Edsel, Mercury used dashboard-mounted push-button controls for the automatic transmission.
Body design[]
During its production, the Voyager was offered in two body configurations: two-door and four-door. Produced solely as a pillarless hardtop, a forward-facing third-row seat was offered on four-door Voyagers, expanding seating capacity from six to nine.[5][6] In a design that would be modified on later Ford/Mercury station wagons, the rear window lowers into the tailgate, which folds flat against the load floor.[1]
For 1958, the exterior underwent a minor revision. Along with the standardization of quad headlamps, more conservative front styling was added.[7] While the revision was centered around an effort to better integrate the grille and front bumper, the "pie-wedge" taillamps were replaced by a "rocket-style" design, along with additional chrome trim on the C-pillar.[6]
1958 Mercury Voyager (street rod)
1958 Mercury Voyager (street rod)
1958 Mercury Voyager, rear
1958 Mercury Voyager dashboard
References[]
- ^ a b Ristic-Petrovic, Dusan. "1957 Mercury Wagons Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
- ^ a b c Ristic-Petrovic, Dusan. "1957 Mercury Wagons Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
- ^ "How Mercury Cars Work". HowStuffWorks. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
- ^ "Directory Index: Mercury/1958 Mercury/1958_Mercury_Wagons_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
- ^ Ristic-Petrovic, Dusan. "1957 Mercury Wagons Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
- ^ a b "Directory Index: Mercury/1958 Mercury/1958_Mercury_Wagons_Brochure". www.oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
- ^ "How Mercury Cars Work". HowStuffWorks. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
"For Sale: 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Voyager". Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
"Classic Cars". Retrieved 2007-08-11.
- 1950s cars
- Mercury vehicles
- Station wagons
- Classic post-war auto stubs