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The first Mercury "S" car was the 1961 Mercury Comet S-22. It was introduced in March of 1961, in the latter half of the model run, and it was an instant success as an addition to Mercury's already highly successful compact car line. Mercury sold 14,004 of the S-22 version, which featured the 170-cubic inch 6-cylinder engine, front bucket seats and console, padded instrument panel, and a unique steering wheel. At a retail price of $2,282, this was a $284 more than the standard Comet, no small piece of change to the Lincoln-Mercury Division's balance sheet.

1963 Mercury Comet S-22 2-door sedan

So, thought L-M, why not take it a couple of steps further? The S-22 was brought back as a 1962 model, and mid-year along came the Meteor S-33 and the Monterey S-55. The big brothers to the S-22 were trimmed out in much the same manner, and complemented the Ford Division's Falcon Futura, Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe, and the Galaxie 500/XL.  For 1963, the S cars were continued in the three car lines. Late in 1963, the Comet even introduced its first convertibles and hardtops, including one of each in the sparkling S-22 version. The mid-size Meteor, alas in its final year of production, offered the S-33 2-door hardtop which was every bit as special as the Comet. And Mercury, like the Galaxie 500/XL, was to have a choice of four S-55 body styles: a 2-door Breezeway Hardtop, a 2-door Marauder Hardtop, a 4-door Breezeway hardtop, and a convertible - all with the full S-55 trim of bucket seats and console.

1963 Mercury Meteor S-33. Picture courtesy of Bill Holter.

1963 Mercury Monterey S-55 convertible in Carnival Red

When 1964 rolled around, the S cars disappeared. There was the new Comet Cyclone, and you could get bucket seats as an option on several other Comets. The Meteor had bid farewell. The big Mercury, like the Comet, had undergone a major series reshuffling, but did offer bucket seats on some of its Monterey and Park Lane models, in an effort to keep the "sports car sizzle" alive and well. The 1965 Mercurys that came with bucket seats were pretty much the same as the 1964 offerings.

For 1966, Mercury re-introduced the S-55, but the other S cars did not join in. The S-55 was the Mercury version of Ford's luxury/performance full-size car, the 7-Litre. It had the 428-cubic inch V-8, bucket seats, console, power disc brakes, badging, an engine dress-up kit, and special handling components. At the end of 1966, however, the S-55, like the 7-Litre, became nothing more than an optional equipment package. The glamour and the S-55 special touches were all there, but the "S-55 Sports Package" offering was a sure sign that the end was near for the Mercury "Special" cars. No longer a separate series, the S-55 was destined to join the ranks of the Turnpike Cruiser, the Voyager, and the Meteor.

See the stats on the Mercury S cars.

Look at a 1963 Meteor S-33 Dealer Stock Card!
Where does the Mercury METEOR fit?

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