1957 MERCURY TURNPIKE CRUISER INDY PACE CAR CONVERTIBLE RE-CREATION

This fully restored original 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser convertible Indy 500 pace car re-creation was awarded the AACA Senior National First Prize in 2020. Selling for a hefty $4,103 each, only 1,265 Pace Car Convertible Cruisers were made, each having the Continental kit Dream Car Spare Tire Carrier and each painted Sun Glitter Yellow like the original pace car. This 1957 Mercury had been on display as part of the Hendricks Collection at the Gateway Auto Museum. The Turnpike Cruiser engine was based on Lincoln's 368ci V8 engine and produced 290hp. The Turnpike Cruiser was the flagship model for Mercury in 1957 and 1958. The 4,125-pound convertible was powered by a new 368ci engine with a 4-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts and a 9.75:1 compression ratio. It was rated at 260hp at 4,500 rpm and 405 ft/lbs of torque at 2,800 rpm. A plaque on the right rocker arm cover identified it as a 'Turnpike Cruiser' engine. It has a Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission with a new-for-1957 keyboard control panel 3-speed automatic. The Turnpike Cruiser was introduced late in 1957 and designed specifically to be the Official Pace Car of the 1957 Indianapolis 500. This pace car from the Hendricks Collection was selected to participate in the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 in 2011, along with pace cars from every year able to attend. After multiple requests from all pace car attendees, they were allowed to take a few laps, including this 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser pace car. Additional items that will be sold with the car include a 40x80-inch photo of the original pace car doing laps with the race cars at the 1957 Indy 500 race, two 20x40-inch promotional signs, model of the 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser pace car, official 1957 Indy 500 race program, admission ticket, two trading cards and two framed photos of the original pace car, as well as the car and driver that won the race.

Restored original; 2002 Senior AACA National First Prize-winner. Previously displayed at the Hendricks Collection at the Gateway Auto Museum in Colorado.