1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. In 1956 Mercury, a division of Ford Motor Company, wanted to move into a more upmarket luxury status and created a concept car called the Mercury XM-Turnpike Cruiser. The car was a preview for the following year's 1957 top-of-the-line Turnpike Cruiser, named to commemorate creation of the country’s Interstate Highway System.Advanced features included a retractable "Breezeway" rear window, compound curve windshield, mechanical pushbutton transmission control and a trip computer. Those features along with some of the most over-the-top design elements and luxury appointments made the Turnpike Cruiser the perfect competitor for General Motor's Buick Roadmaster and Oldsmobile 98.While the car presented some of the most dramatic styling queues of the era, it also introduced some unique powertrain choices including what became the highest horsepower engine of the time, the 430ci Super Marauder 400 hp V8. This 383 cid 330-horsepower monster sported a 4 brl carb. But tri-power carbs were available. This setup is paired with Mercury's 3-speed Merc-O-Matic automatic which was controlled using a mechanically operated pushbutton system in response to Chrysler's pushbutton Torqueflite automatic. Installed left of the steering wheel, this control appeared only in the two years of the limited production Turnpike Cruisers.When this Turnpike Cruiser was pulled from its resting place, the distinctive fuel delivery tri-power system and exotic chromed air cleaner were found in the trunk along with the special aluminum Marauder valve covers, all ready to be installed on this bonafide survivor of an era when elaborate styling and high horsepower offerings were the recipe for success among this country's domestic manufacturers. VIN #M8WD534596. Odometer shows 49,052 likely original miles. Nearly all same owner registrations are there from 1962-1991. UPDATE!!! This beauty is now running. After the fuel problem was identified a new electronic pump was added, even after years in storage, the engine response was immediate. Engine sounds good, runs good and now starts easily. Transmission seems to function properly but the brakes do need attention. This Classic Cruiser is very close to being a genuine well performing rare gem!! It just needs a bit more love. Visit Rich Penn on FB and see it running.