Awesome "Unknown" Cars: Ford's 1968 Meteor Montcalm Was a Canadian Ford/Mercury Hybrid

[@ronhansen5121]

We had a 1968 Montcalm ragtop growing up. My parents actually just sold it a few years ago to someone that wanted to restore it! They kept it in their attached garage since 1979 when the 302 head gasket blew. Beautiful car! Ours was gold with a black interior and black rag.

[@russelldesabre9530]

The fan shroud was primarily there for the extra cooling effect (not a big issue in Canada)the safety aspect of the shroud was not the primary reason for putting one onto a car

[@MrMorrisonAF]

Or when you selected factory AC

[@patricknesbitt4003]

In my youth I had a 1967 Montclair with the 390 2V engine and the fan "shroud" in effect was just a small hood over top of the fan with an orange 'CAUTION-FAN" label affixed to it. Not a full shroud at all.

[@patricknesbitt4003]

@denniswilson8013 Where’s the one for this car?

[@ozymandias9797]

Fantastic and beautiful Canadian car Adam. My family moved from Iowa to Alberta (Medicine Hat) in 1981 when I was 14 . The first thing I noticed automobile wise, was a neighbor who had a Mercury pickup. I wondered what kind of alternate universe had we come to, as I knew nothing about the different Canadian models. Great video for my further education about these rare cars!

[@kenttalsma7906]

Alternate universe, "Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore."😁

[@bobhill3941]

Beautiful car and colour, I love the painted two tone instead of a vinyl roof. I've always loved and been proud of these Canada-specific cars and trucks. Good morning from Ontario Canada🇨🇦🇧🇲😃 The nice thing about those cars is the overhang acts as a crumple zone. My grandma told me that her and my grandad and my mom, aunt, and uncles were rear ended in 1968 and the driver was "in the trunk". My mom ran for help, but the only injury was a concussion my uncle had from hitting the roof. Also, in the late 70's my dad was driving a Caprice and the same thing happened!

[@tombrown1898]

The 302 was quite an engine. I had a 1972 Torino with a 302, 3 on the tree, no AC, and no power... anything. Every cubic inch of that engine went to the rear wheels, and it was more than enough. Dead silent and smooth as glass. And you are so right about 4-door hardtops. I learned to drive on our 1963 Olds Super 88 Holiday sedan. No AC, but it had power windows. Very easy to drop the glass and go cruising. Great days and summer nights!

[@briansearles4473]

The 302's really hit above their weight until the compression ratio's fell in the early 70's.

[@user-nr5hd1tc7v]

Second the 302 thoughts, really all the Ford Windsor engines. Quiet and Smooth, decent power and incredibly durable with a modicum of maintenance. I’ve seen lots of F-150s with well over 300k on them with the original engine. And in a Mustang they can be modded to deliver big power reliably and inexpensively.

[@silasakron4692]

Man, and here I considered myself a well learned '60s and '70s land-yacht fan. Never heard of this one. What a wonderful channel, I'm always learning something from Adam.

[@carlc5748]

Wait till he does a Vlog on the Beaumont. I saw one in Scottsdale, Arizona a few years ago.

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

Same! Montcalm? Beautiful colors

[@jefweb5043]

In my opinion, there's nothing that sounds as solid as the sound of the Ford door shutting. I love the painted top... beautiful car!

[@ELMS]

I,remember seeing these in Edmonton, Canada 🇨🇦 at Waterloo Mercury, our local dealer. It’s all gone now, so thanks, Adam, for bringing this to us.

[@kingkrimson8771]

Waterloo is still there, in its original location albeit under the name Waterloo Ford-Lincoln

[@michaelsimms-cx2ny]

Beautiful car and the color is exquisite! I miss the frameless windows on sedans that when down create a whole open window line .

[@MrPoppyDuck]

What a time capsule! That is a nice find! Thanks for a great video!

[@arnesahlen2704]

News to me! A car-keen Canadian guy since about age 5, I never knew of Meteor 'Lemoyne'. We had Richelieu, Rideau, Montcalm and others in Meteor and Monarch lines.

[@RexCars1]

I have a HUGE Love for " More Door Hard Top Cars "... You're right.. This Car ?? Truly a gem.....

[@RexCars1]

( and i also love seeing cool canadian cars that we don't get in here in the states )..

[@arevee9429]

Yes and yes to the smoothness of the 302 and the benefit of less weight in the nose. Sometimes, the lower optioned cars have a certain appeal that the tarted-up ones lack. I do like the little inset photos Adam uses when contrasting the car under review to the contemporaries.

[@remingtonwingmaster6929]

those early 302's were excellent engines. Beautiful car!

[@paulypooper2]

An absolute gem of a automobile, with out questions the nicest all original cars I’ve ever seen, wish I could see it in person

[@tankthebear]

That thing is stunning ... I bet it is so comfy on the highway!

[@neil6958]

I like when they had a color palette for these cars.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Oh wow, now that's a beautiful car! Yes, I enjoy the 4 Doors too. 👍🙂

[@DanEBoyd]

I like four doors as formal cars with luxury features, but I don't like seeing a four door getting visibly 'hot rodded.' I'd want my old four door looking stock, and with a proper bench seat and column-mounted shifter, but would not be averse to putting some go-faster parts on the engine where they won't be seen by the public. I want a four door to be quiet too. A four door demands all of the dignity, according to my sensibilities.😁

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

@@DanEBoyd 👍👍

[@CJColvin]

Very beautiful 68 Meteor Montcalm Adam, gotta love the pure Canadian Muscle Eh 🇨🇦

[@DSP1968]

What a treat to see this car in action! One of my favorites in your collection. I find Meteors very fascinating, and this one is a beauty. Thank you for sharing it again with us, Adam.

[@hughjass1044]

We certainly did have some peculiar combinations up here in Canada. Canadian Pontiacs, Canada specific models, Canada specific brands like this one. And a lot of times, it was quite hard to tell the difference because the companies and the dealers didn't advertise it. This car looked like a Mercury and a dealer would be more than happy to let you think it was.

[@jeffbax1966]

I have a 1968 Mercury Monterey in Madras blue. I love your car!

[@nineislandshuffle6599]

My dad had a mid 70s maroon Meteor with a black interior. The thing was a tank. The front bumper stuck out so much I used to use it as a seat while playing around the car as a kid on the driveway.

[@mitchelllewis5625]

When I was in grade school my parents had a 68 Monterey 4dr HT in Caribbean Blue (lt turquoise) with the white painted roof. Loved that car!

[@danielmorris3687]

It's pronounced "Ree-Doh", Adam. We had a 1966 Rideau 500 with the inline 6 and 3 on the tree. The 1st new vehicle our family could afford to buy. For whatever reason in '73 my dad bought a new Chev Impala and stayed with bowties until he passed 30 years later. Greetings from Ontario. I'm a fairly recent subscriber and am really loving these history lessons.

[@fourdoorglory]

Great to see this one again.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, I am thrilled to see my FAVOURITE car from your collection back on the channel! 😁😁

[@RareClassicCars]

I love this one.

[@leaburnpatey2596]

Five years after the signing of the Autopact agreement in 1965, the Meteor was dropped. Ford found it unnecessary since U.S. built cars were being sold in Canada and vice versa, Canadian built cars were being shipped to some US locations. Not to mention very low sales of the Meteor brand as it shared many similar equipment and options with the full sized Ford.

[@randyfitz8310]

It’s tough keeping a tally of Adam’s specimen vehicles - such a fine collection!

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@leaburnpatey2596 The last year for the Meteor in Canada was 1976.

[@mknucarman]

Beautiful color combination!

[@carlc5748]

What a gem of a car that you found, runs silky smooth too! The dash resembles the 1967 Ford Country Squire wagon that our family bought new.

[@dmandman9]

As a Florida resident, I’m still amazed how naked these engine bays looked without the AC Compressor and related parts. This was magnified when equipped with the 302 since most of the ones I saw were equipped with the relatively wide 390.

[@landiahillfarm6590]

How on earth do you find these gems! Beautiful car. Congrats.

[@jamesharris2615]

Really enjoy your channel. I would love for you to take us to where you keep your collection.

[@HFX1955]

The Canadian car you need to get for your collection is the 1967 Pontiac Grande Safari in white with the wood grain trim. It's essentially the Pontiac Executive wagon with the hidden headlights of the 1967 Grand Prix.

[@markbehr88]

I love the colour of this car. I have a 1970 Montego MX Brougham with the 302 and it has surprisingly good power and will smoke the rear tyres.

[@errorsofmodernism7331]

Nice blue, I remember that color

[@billymcmanus9642]

My god father is from Quebec Canada but moved to Massachusetts in 50s and I remember he had one of those when I was kid he had gone back up there to get his mom's when she passed away and still has it today. He's restored it few times and brings it to car shows along with his older LTDs from the 70s. He's always been a ford guy to this day. He's in his 80s now.

[@robertwells6454]

Love seeing the out of state models. No matter where their from it's really neet to see the changes Ford made for different markets. 👌

[@EndeavorsDnB]

Always appreciate when you drive these beauties!

[@2006gtobob]

2,000 miles? Is this one of the lowest mileage cars you currently own, Adam? That color combination is spectacular, just beautiful.

[@BarryTsGarage]

I remember my Dad’s 1967 Meteor Montcalm convertible, light blue with white top. I think that was fairly rare as well… he kept it longer than most, a great car apart from the carburetor…. Thank you Adam!

[@RowenDejesus]

I like when they had a color palette for these cars.. Nice car indeed, and it is better looking then most 4-doors..

[@jamesmcintire3800]

Such a beautiful car I love the color scheme! Thanks for sharing this with us Adam

[@danlove4270]

Back in 69 dad and mom bought I 68 with the 302. Adam confirms they were geeat cars all around. They really rusted quickly which makes them really rare.

[@ronaldkovacs7080]

Unfortunately, Ford’s were particularly bad for rust, my father had a 67 Parklane in southern Ontario. Major rust holes by 1972.

[@michellatour150]

Hello from Montreal Qc., really enjoy your videos.

[@splender88]

Never knew of this particular car at first glance thought it was a Mercury Montego. Always learning new things from the channel.

[@SchwarzeTulpe]

I remember these cars fondly. Very popular where I grew up, the Mercury dealer there being highly regarded in the community.

[@davidzoller9617]

Nice car indeed, and it is better looking then most 4-doors.

[@Sedan57Chevy]

What a sweet car. Love that color combo, definitely one of the best (any shade of blue with a white top). Also Adam, I'm pretty sure your car collection would put any 1970s used car lot to shame, with an absolute mix of pristine examples of really nice cars!

[@929cbr_rr]

That's a real keeper there. Love it, and I learned something new about Canadian market cars of that era.

[@JonnyHolms]

What a beautiful car 🚗. Thank you for showing us.

[@MrJayrock620]

I’m always scrolling kijiji and fb and I think I remember seeing this one on one of them years ago. The colour and kms is what made it stick in my head. Nice to see it found a good home

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam has a longer video on this car . You will find it in the video list.

[@kerrybloxham7741]

Good morning Adam, another wonderful car in your collection,, I also really like four door cars myself.and have a 1968 Ford ranch wagon out here in California that is so original the backseats and seatbelts still had the plastic on it. One question for you Adam is how could we find out how many 1970 to 1974 corvettes are still around in the US, any information should be appreciated. Thank you .

[@DavidWilliams-ol3vp]

Sweet looking car,cheers from New Brunswick.

[@olafsturmhoebel5124]

Hi Adam, your car is great and rare but friends of mine have an even rarer Meteor. It's a 1968 Meteor LeMoyne Brougham Hardtop Coupe in grecian gold with beige fabric interior. They imported it last year from Canada. It's in good condition with the 390 two barrel, drives great and is fully loaded. It might be the only one in Europe and I guess there were only a handfull in the States or Canada. By the way, it will be for sale here in Germany.

[@RareClassicCars]

I think I remember this car being for sale on Kijiji.

[@olafsturmhoebel5124]

You are right that's the car.

[@diogocatalano9557]

This is another beauty. The 302 engine was used by Ford in Brazil to equip the Galaxie-LTD-Landau from 1976 to 1983.

[@TKA322]

Thanks Adam, really like the car. Awesome blue color like your Catalina has, your Toronado has a great color. Thinking about it, the colors in the 60's cars were much better than today's choices in my opinion.

[@danielulz1640]

Almost the only choice today is "What shade of gray would you like?". Bleah!

[@jaygatz4335]

Yes: black, white, and grey, most with black interiors, does get b o r i n g!

[@louislepage5111]

Thank you, learned something new today. 😊

[@neil6958]

I like where the radio is placed.

[@fernandochaves9665]

As beautiful as silent.. Now we are hungry for more: night time drive video, comparision with other FoMoCo cousins and of course with some competitors. Love this car, congratulations.

[@fernandochaves9665]

Maybe some collector you know owns a Mercury truck, and you could make a video, and make everybody happy... I know is a car oriented channel but why not?

[@tombob671]

I lived in Calgary 1963,64,65 as a teen. I never got used to seeing these cars, or seeing Impalas and Pontiac with 6 bangers. Lol But these cars made perfect sense for Canada. Great value for the buck.

[@brentschmitt3338]

I just started learning about these Canadian models, thanks.

[@MazichMusic]

Growing up in Metro Detroit, we used to see the Canadian models quite frequently. I think I saw Pontiac Parisiennes the most.

[@saganich74]

A fan shroud was not installed for safety. Only A/C equipped cars came with them for added cooling capabilities

[@marko6128]

He seemed to be saying that somewhat with tongue in cheek…Cdn vehs often have higher safety standards, which I believe Adam knows

[@saganich74]

@@marko6128 I agree I didn’t mean to to imply that he is not knowledgeable on these vehicles

[@cdnpont]

Lovely Canadian car Adam. And thanks for touting the benefits of the 4 door HT. Also, just like yourself, I've grown away with age from the heavy power motors, just give me smooth and quiet, that's all I need now, thanks.

[@2packs4sure]

Back in 1965 when Ford started their "Quieter than a Rolls Royce" advertising campaign all those noise tests were done with the small block..

[@johnpatterson1807]

Nice car! I especially love those “Cadillac” taillights!

[@markw208]

Interesting explanation of the Ford/Mercury models for Canada

[@stevegallagher687]

Love the late 60 Ford products especially Mercury. My uncle had a 78 LTD that I loved driving in. Beautiful styling and ride.

[@fox123456789ish]

Mid to late 1950’s Meteors are quite pretty cars, particularly the 1956 models. The grille is quite nice with the large swoop!

[@notenufcars8474]

Beautiful car and a great review! I have a 1968 LTD two door with the formal roof. The roof on this Mercury looks like it might be the same. My LTD has a two barrel carbureted 390 V8. It has plenty of power. It is an extremely quiet car and there is little wind noise when driving with all windows down. There is no flutter at all.

[@donaldszymczak]

my dad had a 68 LTD when i was a kid i remember it being a very light blue color with dark blue interior was amazed by the hidden headlights and the ice cold A/C the car was so smooth going down the road . he'd smoke his Marborels and we would go to bone yards here in Chicago .great memories

[@kayeninetwo3585]

I love that car, especially the color. Thanks for the video. The Canadian brands are a way to get a really unique vintage car in original form without paying a premium for that uniqueness. I noticed (not surprisingly) : no A/C. It would be interesting to know what percentage of cars sold in Canada - back then and today - didn't/don't come equipped with air conditioning. Here in my part of the Midwest US I don't think you can even order a car without A/C anymore. It was common to see non-A/C cars around here up to even the '90's, but not anymore. It may be cheaper just to put that option in all cars. I may be wrong about that, but I think that's the case.

[@jetsons101]

1968 must have been one of the best looking years for Mercury/Meteor, they just had that "Look" By the end of the vid I was really liking the white painted top. That's not "Rear Overhang" it's a huge "Crumple Zone." Calling the 302 lighter than a FE motor is a huge understatement. Thanks for posting........

[@rumplestilskin5776]

Adam you live in a lovely neighborhood.

[@leewaken5059]

The 289 and 302 were just really great small displacement V8s, in the 60s and very early 70s.

[@phillipbouchard4197]

Hi Adam, Thanks for the video. You have made me more aware of the cars built in Canada and their subtle differences from their American cousins. As I am sure you are aware the 1980's Crown Victoria's and Mercury Grand Marquis were also built in Canada. All of my Fords and Mercury all have the 302 5 - liter V8 fuel injected engines and I have never starved for power even though they are rated at only 150 H.P. but having 270 ft. lbs. of torque. I tow an 18'-0" Starcraft boat with my wagons with out difficulties.

[@NLJosh83]

Beautiful car, thanks for sharing

[@davidpasquale8498]

👌👍I absolutely loved the 60's true automobiles, they had it all ❤

[@davidbeattie4294]

I was 14 when that model came out. To my youthful eye it was best of class. Clean styling with just enough crome to highlight the lean body lines. The next body style was much heavier looking. Enjoy the ride, you are looking good.

[@hawaiifiles]

Wow very nice car. I heard and seen smaller Meteor cars from before 1967 here in Hawaii. Love the color of this one and it looks like a Parklane.

[@JuniorFan08]

I have always wanted a Meteor of this vintage just because they are so different being a combination of Mercury and Ford. Meteors had a bit of a change between the 1949-1961 models and the 1964-1980 models. The first series was Ford bodied with Mercury style trim and in some years, used the Mercury dash. There was no Canadian Meteor in 1962-1963 due to the name being used on the Mercury Meteor intermediate offered in the US. When the Meteor returned in 1964, it was Mercury bodied but had Ford interiors, dash and wheel covers. Of course, they all used Ford engines and chassis. While the Meteor as a series was discontinued after 1976, it remained as the base series for Mercury through the 1980 model year. The Monarch is another interesting story.

[@carsandtopgear]

Stunning, would love to park my ‘68 Cougar next to it. It is also a Madras blue car with painted white top from the factory

[@mikekokomomike]

They are fine and well built cars and were taken for granted.

[@mdensch1]

On a trip to Detroit for the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise several years ago I spotted a 1969 Meteor Rideau 500 in the parking lot of the hotel I was staying at. Like the Meteor featured in the video I noticed it had the Ford dashboard and interior. I thought I knew a lot about cars but I’d never seen one of these before.

[@kurtbrueske]

Thanks Adam for another great video…I celebrate the fact that you appreciate good design and engineering regardless of how many doors the car has. On the fan shroud, the engineer in me wants to respond to your comment about “Canadians not caring around safety.” I would offer that it had more to do with cooling…based on high latitude climate, average temperatures likely don’t necessitate a shroud to enhance blade air pull through the radiator as would be needed in lower-latitude climates. This is a theory. Nice looking car…only 2000 miles!?!

[@audubon5425]

I agree about the 302 - bought a '70 Custom 500 with a standard shift - was quite surprised how well it moved the car.

[@bradleybprentice1497]

Interesting. I may have mentioned previously. My dad had a 66 in Canada. 6 cylinder. White with red interior. A nice car I remember.

[@stvitalkid7981]

Another pickup that was unique to Canada was the Fargo sold at Chrysler-Plymouth dealers.

[@stephenholland5930]

Saw a beautiful red 1952 Fargo at a show in North Yorkshire, UK last weekend. A first for me.

[@johntamlyn6383]

What a handsome car! Beautiful colour combination outside and in. Possibly some of today’s car designers could look at this and realise that it’s possible to have colour in the interior, not just black headlining, black seats, and black everything else!

[@rogergoodman8665]

This is the first example of this model that I've ever seen and I would guess it is also the most pristine one left on the planet! Also, I don't recall ever seeing a radio integrated into the instrument cluster directly next to the speedometer. The color combination is very appealing.

[@davidwatt7663]

Wow ,how can a car this old , look so new just amazing , to think it’s 55 years old .

[@jaygatz4335]

Those hybrid Canadian cars are so interesting. Speaking of hybrids, I'd love to see a feature on the Mercury Marauder.

[@sydrider6023]

Fan shrouds was an A/C requirement, not sure it was a safety thing back in those days. Very very nice this car is! What an exceptional find.

[@3653-w2s]

We had a 1968 Mercury Montego with the 302 option. Wonderful car. It appears they used the same grille in the American counterpart. These Canadian models are really cool.

[@steeldandansteely1027]

That is one stunning hardtop Ford, Adam. With the perfect engine for what it is. I can't imagine it's too easy not to start racking up beaucoup miles (km?) on it. It's an instant friend maker, I bet. I haven't seen another one and I guess you could reasonably call me a 'Ford guy'. You gotta ditch those hokey seat covers.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

agree with the open air of 4 dr hard top with all the windows down , my mom had 66 corvair monza sport Sedan I loved riding in it ,driving it with all the windows down

[@chrisgreenaway6696]

My dad owned a 68 meteor Lemoyne which was the top of the line meteor with the 428 robin egg blue with blue convertible top with the ltd dash but had the centre fold down console in the backseat probably a one of one the way his was ordered shame he let that go

[@Jack_Stafford]

The styling of this car looks so much more upscale, clean, and luxurious than the 67 Ford previously featured, with it's stacked headlights and fussy fragile looking grille. This one with horizontal lights makes it look wider, and the strong centre nose and hood sculpt, 2D grille, all much nicer and expensive looking imo. A 302 is the perfect engine, all anyone really needs, and fits so many different applications, from compact sporty cars, to pickups, to full size luxury coupes and sedans. Wish Ford would study its own history... you shouldn't have to be a rich man to afford a big, comfortable, safe, reliable car. Beautiful shade of blue, too!

[@OLDS98]

The Canadian Pontiacs and Meteors are interesting to see. The Canadian GM and Ford in other countries are always interesting to see and learn about. There were many other Canadian only brands too. It is interesting how they made use of the parts and did economies of scale. I know the reason why they did this was because of some law in Canada they have long since dropped. I know the law, but it is hard to explain in detail in writing. I know about buying a car in Canada and importing it to the United States. Good video and thank you for sharing Adam.

[@HypocriticYT]

A friend has the same colour in a convertible in great shape, in Ontario. I’ve never seen him take it out of the garage