This was the first full-size Mercury ever sold without a V8 as standard -- the 1961 Meteor shipped with a 223 cu in inline-six, with V8s as the upgrade.
Lead trim: Meteor 223 cu in Mileage Maker six (135 hp) · up to 330 hp
Mercury Meteor1961–1961
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FactThis was the first full-size Mercury ever sold without a V8 as standard -- the 1961 Meteor shipped with a 223 cu in inline-six, with V8s as the upgrade.
The Mercury Meteor was produced by Mercury for the 1961 to 1963 model years, adopting its nameplate from the namesake Ford of Canada brand; it was introduced as the base-trim full-size Mercury sedan, slotted below the Monterey and the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Fairlane. For 1961 Mercury shifted from its own body and chassis to a variant of the 1960 Ford bodyshell, downsizing from a 126 inch wheelbase to 120 inches (214.6 in long, 79.9 in wide, 55.0 in high). Originally developed as the 1961 Edsel Ranger, the Meteor was slotted below the Monterey; the higher-priced Montclair and Park Lane were retired. It was offered as the 600 and 800 series in four body styles (two- and four-door pillared sedans and two- and four-door hardtops); the lower-priced Meteor 600, sedan only, had two oblong taillamps, while the Meteor 800 had additional chrome trim and six round taillamps shared with the Monterey. The Meteor 600 two-door sedan listed at US$2,533 and sold 18,117, and the Meteor 800 two-door sedan at US$2,711 with 35,005 manufactured. While not offered as a wagon, the Mercury Commuter was trimmed as its equivalent. In a first for a full-size Mercury the Meteor was not fitted with a V8 as standard: a 223 cubic-inch inline-six produced 135hp, with four V8s optional: a 175hp 292 cubic-inch V8, a 220hp 352 cubic-inch "Marauder" V8 and a 390 cubic-inch V8 producing either 300hp or 330hp. A three-speed manual was standard with optional overdrive; 3-speed "Merc-O-Matic" and "Multi-Drive" automatics were optional.
Collectors Spotted in the Mercury Meteor Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Mercury Meteor yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
5 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meteor 223 cu in Mileage Maker six (135 hp) | 1961–1961 | 3.7 L Inline-6 | 135 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Meteor 292 cu in Y-block V8 (175 hp) | 1961–1961 | 4.8 L V8 | 175 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Meteor 352 cu in Marauder V8 (220 hp) | 1961–1961 | 5.8 L V8 | 220 hp | 370 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| Meteor 390 cu in FE V8 (300 hp) | 1961–1961 | 6.4 L V8 | 300 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Meteor 390 cu in FE V8 (330 hp) | 1961–1961 | 6.4 L V8 | 330 hp | 427 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
For 1962 Mercury didn't just update the Meteor — it shrank the nameplate from a full-size car onto an all-new intermediate platform, effectively inventing Mercury's mid-size segment.
This was the first full-size Mercury ever sold without a V8 as standard -- the 1961 Meteor shipped with a 223 cu in inline-six, with V8s as the upgrade.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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