Future Cruise

The 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was a prime example of the future-think of the 1950’s, with its multiple lighting sources, complex curves, and an array of buttons and antennae (most of which were functional) that provided more flash per running foot than any other car ever made. That stylistic gadgetry made it a true icon of the age of way-too-much - and a perfect, if challenging, car to replicate in scale.

Never fear; Danbury has recreated every nuance of the full sized Merc from the “Quadra-Beam” headlamp pods hanging above the “Jet-Flow” dual oval design bumper to the “Breezeway Ventilation” rear window and gold trim on its quarters. Never have so many patent names appeared on a single car - and seldom are they replicated this well in miniature.

The rear quarter panels show the concave designed panels with the gold anodized trim strip in the car’s rear fins, and the rear bumper correctly echoes the same twin oval design used up front. A popular accessory item for most cars in the late 50’s was fender skirts, and Danbury’s provided the model with a removable set. The rear deck sported a pair of angled antennas, as well as antennas mounted just forward of the functional air intake pods above the windshield. Danbury’s replicated every aspect perfectly.

The hood opens on reverse mount hinges and reveals an exceptionally well-detailed 368 cubic inch /290 horsepower engine. Too bad the giant red air cleaner - correct though it may be - hides so much of the motor. It’s a miniature marvel, and a neat place to spend a little time.

Of course, nobody drives from the engine compartment, and Danbury’s hit all the right buttons in the cabin, from the revolutionary “Seat-O-Matic” auto-adjusting seats to the buttons for the “Merc-O-Matic” (or, possibly, “Multi-Matic”) transmission. You almost wish it all worked, because every detail is here and well represented.

This wonderful Sunset Orchid and Tuxedo Black replica is hand assembled from over 400 parts, and it perfectly depicts a great era in automotive styling and design.  - CRM

The Danbury Mint, www.danburymint.com

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