Charles Phoenix JOYRIDE - 1960 Mercury Colony Park

[@machpodfan]

Once we were surrounded by art, on the streets, at home, in the air, at sea...so good some souvenirs still exist, like this!

[@joaquinalexander9]

Surrounded is Right. From the buildings to our cars, to our kitchens, furniture, you name it.

[@Timba-w7f]

​@@joaquinalexander9, 👍 absolutely right! What happened to America? Where did our Culture go?

[@Timba-w7f]

👍

[@gf4353]

First SUV

[@rpsmith2990]

@@gf4353 There were Jeeps and Chevrolet Suburbans the same year this car was built. Unlike today, few people bought them. The most common place you'd go in a Suburban at that time was to the hospital, as they were frequently used as ambulances.

[@benjaminkoontz2711]

Many thanks to the man who loved and restored this glorious treasure! And to you for documenting it. ❤

[@trudygreer2491]

Hear, hear!! 🥂

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

Bloody 'ell! That car is incredible!

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

Effing incredible!

[@roylcraft]

He's back!!! Wowa, what a looker!

[@lixingzhao5931]

The paint job is perfect with this car. Looks especially gorgeous with the evening sunset.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree!

[@randybourdon2791]

$4500.00 for a station wagon in 1960, that was an expensive car! Beautiful restoration, thanks for sharing Charles!

[@bobpierce115]

According to Google Randy, it would be $46,235.52 in 2023 which is expensive, considering the state of the economy.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

@@bobpierce115 But today, $46,000.00+ will only get you a foreign-made compact, complete with no interior room, a truck-like ride, and unspeakably ugly styling.

[@bobpierce115]

@@michaelbenardo5695 "Today" is really f'd through and through in every way and I think you know that, Michael. The fact a price like $46k is as casually sloughed off as $4,600.00 shows how far gone everything is. $80k, $130k etc., for bland to ugly styling is pathetic. Monster GM trucks over 100k+ being hawked by that idiot carnival barker Brian Mello in YT tik-tok type videos shows how low GM's fallen. He goes on and on about the unnecessary tech features to justify the price which he never mentions. The more I hear about the latest tech in 2024 cars and trucks, the more bored I get, and grateful for my older very well kept RAV-4 completely paid for, and full coverage AAA insurance for $60 per month.

[@nlpnt]

@@michaelbenardo5695 Not quite. It'll put you into a typically-optioned 7-seat CUV like a Ford Explorer AWD or a minivan like a Toyota Sienna.

[@tompastian3447]

@@nlpnt I can tell michael, you don't have much experience driving a full sized wagon. A Ford Explorer with a luggage rack would be a lot harder to load than a wagon with a luggage rack. Ford's intermediate wagons were wide enough to carry a full sheet of plywood in the rear. I would be surprised if you could get a full sheet of plywood into an Explorer. AWD and front wheel drive are highly overrated, and 3 times more expensive to maintain than a rear wheel drive vehicle.

[@highgate4767]

That's a gorgeous automobile. Another rarity is seeing a station wagon with fender skirts!

[@trudygreer2491]

...and only $11.60!!

[@ibleebinU]

I can almost smell the interior. That sweet musty scent that the older cars had back then. Memories of the family going to the drive-in with us camped out in the back with blankets and popcorn.

[@curtcollett2893]

I can certainly relate. We had wagons too. But what I also remember is getting into other families cars and they smelled like an ashtray haha. Good times.

[@ibleebinU]

@@curtcollett2893 Good point. It seems like everyone smoked back then.

[@marioncobaretti2280]

This car should be sitting in a museum

[@trudygreer2491]

Nooo! it should be driven! Carefully, of course ..

[@theda850two]

In case anyone is wondering that doesn't know, when the car was backing out of the driveway and the reverse lites not being on, is because they are only illuminated when the park or headlight switch is in a position, in the off position they do not lite while reversing.

[@trudygreer2491]

@theda850two That is interesting! I noticed that, and thought about commenting. I guess in the days when back-up lights weren't even standard on every car, they were deemed unnecessary in the daylight! 😄

[@randallfrank5682]

Just wonderful. The rear end is very elegant looking with those cute little curved over fins and the tear drop taillights. The forward slope of the tailgate, wrap around window and pillar all fit nicely. That cream top is CLASS!

[@tompastian3447]

KZbin, stop running ads in foreign languages!!! This is an outstanding wagon. Charles Phoenix gives this car the narration it so deserves. I thought the 60 Edsel wagons were rare, but this has some features you just don't see on other Ford wagons, like the split rear seat where you can fold down a section of the rear seat. I use two Mercury Cougar wagons as daily drivers. This split seat option is very practical, in that you could put a good quantity of lumber, like 2 x 4s or 2 x 6's etc. in that flat area, and still have a section of the rear seat available for seating. What a great option. Ford had not introduced it's dual action tail gate yet in 1960, which is one of the greatest inventions in the auto industry. Wagons in many ways are so superior to pick up trucks and SUV's. The lower roof on a wagon with a luggage rack is much more practical than an SUV, where the roof line is higher, and many SUV's limit the use of the roof by putting antennas on the roof. This wagon would be even greater from a practical perspective, if it had the luggage rack. That was probably an option. That 430 looks like a great engine. Compare this to a new Chevy Tahoe... when the Tahoe's tailgate is opened, a section of the rear roof goes up in the air too, so if your were carrying something on the roof that extended over the back of the vehicle, you would have to remove what' s on the roof to open the tailgate. This wagon has the rear window which retracts into the bed of the tailgate, a superior design compared to a new Tahoe. That 4500 dollar price tag was on the higher end for 1960. I remember the sticker price on a 1970 Cyclone GT with a 429, hood scoop, front and rear spoiler, Hurst 4 speed floor shifter, bucket seats and the sport dash option with tachometer, just over 3800 dollars. This kind of great car makes me want to shake some sense into those who say Mercury was irrelevant, and to those that are responsible for killing off an entire division of Ford Motor Company.

[@keithdukes5990]

I'll second that 👍

[@keithdukes5990]

Beautiful & practical all in one package!!!👍😊

[@tompastian3447]

@@keithdukes5990 Thanks Keith.

[@trudygreer2491]

Are those '77 or '82 Cougars?! Also, Ford had forward-facing 3rd row seats those years, and so too had split middle seats..

[@josephconsoli4128]

SPECTACULAR is the key word. Everything about it gets a huge 5-star rating. An artifact from the glory days of America. I personally love the deluxe wagons. Unique, beautiful, and handy. Another excellence video Charles! You make my day when I see a new post from you!

[@MBSLC]

We had the exact blue Colony Park that you have pictured. I remember smacking my head on the metal strip atop the third rear seat when dad punched the accelerator. When we misbehaved dad would stop the car, hit the power rear window button, walk to the back of the car and head smack us through the rear window. Great memories!

[@jeffshipman8153]

Beautiful. Just Beautiful!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@jaygatz4335]

What a rare beauty - a wagon in hardtop format. I'm glad Mercury was able to keep the same back lights for the wagon as for the sedan.The two-tone roof-colour is wonderful.

[@howardkerr8174]

And amazingly Mercury also offered 2 door hardtop wagons.

[@richardortiz8704]

I like that car I mean Mexicali Mexico😊❤ I'm in Columbus New Mexico

[@cantstanddogs4776]

​@@howardkerr8174just for the comet

[@alanblanes2876]

What an exceptional Mercury!!

[@Jeffotos]

OMG we need cars like this in America again!

[@toddhuuskes6945]

What an awesome car! The chrome, the colour, the wood. I love it all. Wow!!

[@michaelkehm3663]

Beautiful example of the top.of the line 1960 Mercury!! Parents had a 60.vanilla white Commuter 9 passenger with the 430 engine and wide whites. All 1960 model Mercs are gorgeous!

[@orionwarren4244]

Where ya been, Charles? Glad you're back with some more mid century treasures!

[@coldwarmotors]

This car is just fantastic. Kudos to the restorer; not an easy car to do. Must be one of the very best anywhere, and the colours are perfect. I just love it so much. Thanks so much for featuring this masterpiece. As always, only quality from Charles Phoenix. No restomods, plastic cupholder consoles, or phone chargers hanging everywhere, just the finest examples of mid-century motoring. All the best from Canada.

[@joshs4594]

When I was a kid in the early 1960s my father bought one as our family car. It looked just like your blue one except it was black and had a full-length roof rack. It also had a police car-style adjustable search light on the driver’s side view mirror. It was loaded with everything including power windows, power driver’s seat, heat, A/C, etc. it was rare back then too. I loved that car. Gold star video. 🌟

[@jonboy9912]

All that and 9 seats too! Who would buy a SUV? Manufacturers should start making stuff like this again! Just took me way back to much better times - Wow!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

The fact that they stopped is why the SUV craze. Many people WANT a V8 and a separate frame and are not hung up on gas mileage. I bet if they went back to making full-size V8 wagons like this, SUV sales would shrink back to just those who need a truck-type vehicle with station wagon capacity.

[@jonboy9912]

@@michaelbenardo5695 I live in hope - sometimes to travel in hope is better than to arrive.

[@cjdesign5700]

I'm a wagon lover and have never been much of a Ford/Mercury guy, but this has to be one of the most beautiful wagon's made. Thanks CHARLES!

[@The1cdccop]

Just think, once upon a time in the mid 1970's, when this old girl was worn out with faded paint, torn seats and whisky dents; some poor working-class kid was mortified being dropped off at school in her, is now a rare classic worth more than I make in a year. Mom with curlers in her hair and blue bath robe with slippers: "Hey Mom, you can drop me off over here".

[@nlpnt]

Not even that late. Up north most cars only lasted 10 years and these things went out of style fast, by the mid '60s it would've been clapped-out and most of them starting to look a bit shabby with dull paint and a missing hubcap or two. Any survivor now would probably have been well-cared for back then.

[@patrickmcgrath5411]

BUT YOU WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING❣️

[@dieterkoch6563]

Wow-what a car!

[@MostlyBuicks]

Love the hardtop styling.

[@jimlubinski4731]

Absolutely LOVE this car!!! Always liked the 1960 Mercury (well, almost any Mercury), but this one is magnificent. Just goes to show that you can have utility without driving a tarted up commercial vehicle.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

😍Beautiful!!!!!!!!!👍

[@nlpnt]

The 1960 Ford, Edsel and Mercury were the widest cars ever! At 81.5" wide they exceeded the statutory limit (then in state laws but later adopted wholesale into Federal) of 80" for a passenger car. Ford had to get every state to agree to look the other way for one model year and the '61 Ford and Merc were heavily reskinned to get them down to 79.9" wide. It's amazing they made it into production in the first place.

[@Porsche996driver]

Love love love it! That bronze color is glorious with the wood trim. The long low look is accented by those perfect fender skirts too. Thanks Charles for getting my weekend started! 💫✨

[@landiahillfarm6590]

Absolutely stunning

[@speakfreeley4473]

Back in the days when cars were cars & Detroit ruled the world.

[@richardheinz7299]

One of the greatest station wagons ever produced!! Mercury really knew what what they were doing!! Spectacular automobile!! ❤❤

[@sethp1200]

That is a thing of beauty thank you for sharing with us

[@2packs4sure]

I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that a loaded 60' Colony Park,, air conditioning, power windows, 430,,, the works,, was right at 5000 pounds.. Without passengers... lol A beautiful road crusher !! :)

[@trudygreer2491]

Uh, you mean, "Cruiser", right?! 😉

[@2packs4sure]

@@trudygreer2491 Noooo,, I meant CRUSHER !! :)

[@viewguy51]

My uncle sold cars at a Lincoln/Mercury dealership in Portland, OR during the early '60s. I remember he somehow loaned a demo '60 Mercury SW to my parent's to drive to the coast in the summer of '60. I don't believe it was a Colony Park but it was a fun ride to this 9 year old. The third back seat facing the wagon's rear was cool.

[@bk14nyc]

WOW 🤩 BEAUTIFUL MERCURY! Good to see you again Charles, you look great! I don’t know what looked better, the Mercury or you…… lol

[@dennisleporte2327]

Absolutely sumptious.

[@randyguyer]

This car is indescribably cool! I love it!!

[@OathTaker3]

Amazing Mercury! I just watched a video on a 71 which is my favorite year Mercury but I'm in love with this year! My first time seeing one in this condition, gorgeous!

[@steves9905]

Wow. I think of all the cars you have featured, including a couple examples of cars that I own, this is my favorite. I silently watched with just a 'wow' now and then. Gorgeous. What an amazing find and restoration for Mr. Billy.

[@robgrear1142]

Oh, Charles…I have yet to recover from my loss of breath seeing this bronze road goddess! THE best car you have covered so far in nostalgia-ville.

[@soyounoat]

I was lucky to begin life on this planet in the year 1961. The American automotive works of art that were produced in the late 1950s and early 1960s surrounded me. Born in the American suburbs, designed around the family car, I had an eye for cars when I was a toddler. By age 4 or 5, I was able to identify near every make and model I saw daily. Having 4 older brothers likely contributed heavily to my knowledge base. In less than a second, the sight of those the taillights in this video told me Mercury - not the word 'Mercury' - but a deeply imprinted sense, almost like a scent or a flavor or texture that to me means 'Mercury'. I was a small child when these formed in my mind. The same is true of every car from that time period, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Edsel, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto, Studebaker.... each one a different feeling that is unique.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

The first cars I remember as a 4 year old were, not counting my Mom's Plymouth and my Dad's Ford, was the neighbor's 55 Buick Special, my Grandmother's Citroen, and a 7 Up bottle green 55 Chevy on our street.

[@heckmacbuff]

What a slice of Americana! Beautiful excess.

[@peterselten500]

Hi charles love the merc thanks for the video if i could id buy so many cars from dack then . Cheers mate🇦🇺

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

I can't stop thinking about the Disney Movie "The Absent-Minded Professor" every time I see a 1960 Mercury wagon!

[@deanrivera8016]

Beautiful Merc Wagon, what a treasure

[@evanking920]

Mid Century Art at its finest.

[@galaxieman1000]

This is a outstanding example of what was available in the prime of Ford/Mercury production with an excellent narrative and video presentation. Well done and thanks to you Charles for your awesome presentation.

[@corgiowner436]

Outstanding restoration!

[@jroeger]

Spectacular ! The colors are superb, sophisticated and classy then there’s that interior, great review!

[@_charlesphoenix]

Thanks a lot!

[@reelreeler8778]

Wow, that is one sweeeet Merc! Thanks 😃

[@angeloavanti2538]

I'm exceedingly jealous. WOW!

[@myleftthumb2294]

Love these old cars. My parents were married in '61, and, cleaning out my late uncle's estate, I've found a couple boxes of color slides from their wedding - some in the parking lot. It's full of winged beauties like this. Growing up, we had a Country Squire wagon with the wood paneling. Very nice.

[@WilldoAldone]

Won-er-ful Won-er-ful. Thank you Charles

[@charleshamilton9274]

I am an old geezer and when I was very young my mom owned a new, 1960 Ford Country Squire wagon. A far-more-plebeian version of this Mercury. It was white with red interior and some of my earliest - and fondest - memories are of that Ford and my mom. Then she married my stepfather and it was only Buicks in the garage.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

One of my uncles had a 60 Ford, turquoise 4 door sedan.

[@L4sleeko]

The headlight spacing I see a bit of ‘59 Oldsmobile and the grill I see ‘60 Buick. Love those taillights 🤠👌

[@gixxer750r3]

Just one word to describe: WOW!

[@TOBYH]

JUST LOVE IT EXCEPT FOR THE FENDER SKIRTS, THE COLOR IS SO COOL, AWESOME VEHICLE.

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

This is one you just don’t see anymore. Awesome find.

[@rrmorris67]

I've never in my life seen one of those and Im 55. Really cool.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

They disappeared pretty quickly, which is a shame, as they were real beauties.

[@bobpierce115]

Thank you Charles, for this today! The 1960 Mercury was the final year of the 1957-'60 "set". There is a club for this Fab 4 somewhere, but I found a new/recent article online entitled "Mercury Takes Station Wagons To the Outer Limits in 1957-'60", focusing on just these wagons. The '60 was given a heavier face-lift for its final year of the group, but the front end 'previewed' that of the 1961. But then, the open coupe wagons were gone, along with the 50's panoramic windshields as the new decade would take auto design in new distinctive directions of its own.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

For me, many of the 61 cars were a let-down. Rather bland looking compared to the 1960 and earlier cars.

[@bobpierce115]

@@michaelbenardo5695 You're right, but the 50's were over and (arguably) more sophisticated, tasteful styling was coming in to replace it. In some cases right away, others more gradually. The '61 Mercury (for example) was quite attractive and retained the fins. The '61 Pontiac was gorgeous. The '61 Chevy pulled off the challenge of "finishing out" the '58-'60 horizontal fins with a ridge contour in its place that wrapped to the sides. The real star car was the '61 Lincoln Continental that sent a lot of designers back to the drawing board. You could see its influence on the '63 Grand Prix and Oldsmobile line. The '61 Continental definitely used the '56-'57 Mark II for simple, clean inspiration. The garish '58-'60 Mark III, IV and V were a dead end. Lincoln certainly could be forgiven for continuing the Mark line with the legitimate Mark III from 1968-'71, IV and V during the 70's. I love 50's cars, and Charles did a video on the '56 Lincoln. Behold the glory indeed. The '57 Oldsmobile is favorite too. Charles has EXCELLENT taste, right down the line in his choices.

[@pyrexmaniac]

The instrument panel is absolutely beautiful....the cowl seems so low and gives the interior a wonderful sense of spaciousness. I love the color, too. My parents owned a 1982 Colony Park in the same color, called 'Mocha metallic' 22 years later.

[@hasbeengood]

Did anyone inform the gentleman that the reverse lights don't work?? Beautiful car.

[@oldbenexplains5287]

Love your narration! Thanks for the tour of this classic.

[@_charlesphoenix]

My pleasure!

[@kchastain3]

What. A. Vehicle. Unbelievable this thing exists in 2024.

[@donsailing1356]

When I was a little kid in the fifties and early sixties, one of my teachers owned a ‘60 Mercury four door….. as a budding “car nut” I loved those “HEAVY” tail lights.

[@markbrookes6557]

That's one sweet slice of nostalgia pie right there!

[@kayeninetwo3585]

As the owner of a 1961 Mercury sedan, I wholeheartedly approve of your feature car this episode! Yes, it is beautiful and amazing - a real cultural artifact. In 1960, Mercury was still a separate platform from Ford. As Charles said, it was more of a luxury car, so you could get essentially the same engine that they put in the Lincoln, at least as an option. In '61, Mercury went to the same platform as Ford, so the engine options were basically the same as Ford. A 390 was the biggest you could get in '61..but a year earlier in '60, you could get the 430 like in this car! Stunning.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Yup, in 57 - 60, Ford tried to position the Merc as a Buick rival - the Big M. In 1949 - 51, the Mercury looked like a re-worked Baby Lincoln, but in most years it was more of a super Ford, a rival to the Pontiac, the Olds, and the Dodge.

[@danschubring7957]

Cleanest and smoothest car in 1960.

[@patrickphippspa584]

"A musical instument about to happen!" Classic. Love ya Charles and this Colony Park! Thanks guys.

[@rockarocky1384]

Woah ! ✨

[@wbradley2395]

Wow, a rolling work of art. All hail the mighty wagon!

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

The taillights on this car send me into a swoon. My aunt had a 1960 Park Lane convertible that I still pine for. I share your excitement over this beautiful glimpse into the rearview mirror.

[@scottydog62]

What a car! Hey Charles I can't believe you only have 16200 subscribers, should be more like 16200 million!

[@TomUlicny-gx6hs]

Such a cool car, Thanks.

[@stevej8558]

Interesting headlight treatment with them being wide-set the way that they are. What a beautiful vehicle.

[@nonelost1]

Great car! Great video! I only wish the current owner had showed pictures of what it looked like back when he first acquired it as “a little bit of a wreck.”

[@floydt2029]

Very Cool car, thanks Charles!

[@michaelashcraft8569]

When cars were a work of ART!!

[@MisterMikeTexas]

A hardtop wagon is a rare animal, indeed! Also, those fender skirts! Very rare on a wagon. I'm willing to bet that Bill of Curious Cars down in Naples, Florida would love to drive this! Well, on cool mornings, that is, since this Colorado wagon has no a/c.

[@caspaabriel4794]

Charles bravo! 1960 Mercury Colony Park absolutely breathtaking and your enthusiastic commentry just adds to an already stunning find. Again bravo!

[@_charlesphoenix]

Glad you enjoyed it

Notice when the two side windows are rolled down it's like a hardtop (no B pillar between the two windows) but with the separate quarter panel glass. Growing up we had a 1963 Mercury Colony Park wagon, great vehicle.

[@TheDejael]

Wow! I honestly have not seen one of these in more than 50 years! Super beautiful and super rare!!! 4-door hardtop wagon! Those were also built by GM and Chrysler cars.

[@animalactivist7820]

Probably the nicest looking early 60’s wagons I’ve ever seen. Looks extremely solid and comfortable. Thanks for bringing us this beautiful, stunning and rare ‘60 Merc wagon!

[@rayinpau.s.a.6351]

My Dad was big on owning Station Wagons in the 60's and 70's . We had one up to 1975 . always enjoy your show Charle's !

[@Gardy725]

They did an incredible job. Simply stunning vehicle.

[@slicksnewonenow]

The 1960 Mercury lineup certainly was unique! And they must have been pretty rare from the get-go... I've only personally seen two or three out in the wild, and I'm 56 now. This wagon is exquisite!

[@arthurmccarron4379]

Can’t. Believe. First time. Seeing. You have. The Eye. And. The. Luck. To find. These. Great. Cars. Thanks

[@davemckolanis4683]

I See You're Having A PERIOD Crisis Going On In Your Life...

[@gabrielvalentino6282]

Dave, please dont ever stop making your shows! Love ya, Rooster!

[@P.Galore]

What a beautiful restoration...looks like it just came off the showroom floor.

[@mercoid]

We had a ‘69 Colony Park as the family car when I was a kid. Not as flamboyant as this, but by today’s standard, still a pretty cool car. I learned driving with it.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Super! These are almost non-existent now! In the mid 70s, you still saw these, as they weren't yet old. Somebody on the street my parents bought a new house on in that era had one, a 4 door sedan. I used to sometimes see one in the same parking lot I used for work in the 80s. They had nearly vanished by then. I would see one on a street that the trolley I drove ran on around 2002 - 2010.

[@michaelwhite2823]

Oh Madge. This car is as fabulous as you. You know I saw a baby blue 60 with PW and AC. AC in the dash! Look for it. The rear end reminds me of the robot in Lost in Space.

[@Davett53]

I love your presentations. Each car you have showcased has been magnificent.

[@kemosabegt350geuss6]

Charles you truly are a person of exquisite taste and refinement. These treasures you find and present are stunning time capsules. Watching one of your presentations is like sipping a fine wine.

[@_charlesphoenix]

Wow, thank you!

[@rja3226]

The most beautiful wagon ever❤

[@randybock82]

Very nice car! That was a big price tag back then.

[@leewalker3514]

I like what you’re showing us thank you