Mercury XM-800

XM-800 at University of Michigan, 1957

The Mercury XM-800 is a concept car created by Mercury and first introduced at the 1954 Chicago Auto Show.[1] The XM, or experimental Mercury, "push car" (meaning that it was not drivable) went the 1954 US auto show circuit season.[1] Although it was promoted by Ford as an "advanced design, engineered to go into volume production”, the XM 800 never passed the concept phase.

The show car was designed by John Najjar. He was also responsible for the 1955 Lincoln Futura show car and the mid-engine Ford Mustang I experimental sports car of 1962. Much of the car's appearance and styling cues were later used on the Lincoln Premiere, Lincoln Capri, Mercury Montclair, Ford Crown Victoria, and other Ford and Mercury products during the mid-1950s.

The concept model was built by Creative Industries of Detroit on a modified Mercury frame with a 1954 Mercury 312 cu in (5.1 L) V8 engine with dual exhausts.[2] It features a low fiberglass body with much of its trim was also made out of chrome plated fiberglass and an interior with four bucket seats.[3]

In 1957 Ford gifted the XM 800 to the University of Michigan's Automotive Engineering Lab for use in training "future" automotive engineers.[4] After the automotive school closed the show car was auctioned to a private individual who stored in a barn, but never returned.[2] It was sold again and stored for almost 30 years before being sold on 2008.[4] The car was restored and made operational and finally drove under its own power in 2009.[5] Subsequently, the car was auctioned in 2010 for $429,000.[6] It was shown at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "1954 Mercury Monterey XM-800 - Review". Supercars.net. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  2. 1 2 Vaughan, Daniel (March 2011). "1954 Mercury Monterey XM-800 Concept". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Mercury XM-800: 1954". Cartype.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. 1 2 "1954 Mercury XM 800 Concept for sale on eBay". Carscoops.com. 4 April 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Reader's Galleries: 1954 Mercury XM-800 Concept Car". Hemmings.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "1954 Mercury XM-800 Dream Car - Automobiles of Arizona 2010". RM Sotheby's. 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. ↑ McCausland, Evan (9 February 2012). "2012 Chicago: 1954 Mercury XM-800 Concept Still Working Auto Show Circuit". Automobile Magazine. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
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