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Topic starter
07/06/2026 9:35 pm
Here is a photograph from the 1962 Chicago Automobile Show showing the dream car Mercury Palomar station wagon. It is pretty neat, although with some unusual features.
First if all, it is a three-door wagon with two side doors and a rear-end entrance door. The top can be retracted and the rear seat passengers can be elevated for a thrilling and cooling ride ...... to say nothing of blocking totally the drivers rear view. But, perhaps if the back sear passengers become too annoying, they can be swiftly ejected from the Mercury wagon !
I must have seen this dream Mercury when I went to the show with my Mom and Dad at the new McCormick Place at the lakefront, although I don't remember that specific car.
07/06/2026 10:40 pm
Wow! That's a good-looking show car!
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
07/06/2026 11:16 pm
It is, John ! It didn't seem to have any particular design influence beyond this show car and I don't know if it really played a part in upcoming Mercury cars. I also don't know what powered this one, but I assume it might be a big Mercury V-8. It looks pretty cool but perhaps there wasn't much of a market for 2-door full-size Mercury wagons.
Geno and Tony Perrone reacted
08/06/2026 5:37 am
Michael thanks for sharing your memories with us. The Mercury Palomar station wagon was a cool show car.
John Bono
North Jersey
08/06/2026 5:55 am
Thanks Mike! I recall the name but the car is unfamiliar.
michaeldetorrice and Geno reacted
08/06/2026 7:49 am
Cool story and pics Mike. I'd worked in designing tooling for the auto industry for 30 yrs. They used to send me, plus a couple others to the Detroit Show every year. I always enjoyed it.😊
michaeldetorrice and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
10/06/2026 7:41 pm
Here is another view of the Mercury Palomar dream wagon.
10/06/2026 10:23 pm
Here's a couple more showing the roof windscreen for the "elevated" third row seat passengers.
Topic starter
10/06/2026 10:26 pm
Nice ! It is a pretty interesting station wagon and design exercise for Mercury.
11/06/2026 7:33 am
Thanks Mike. A show car with a design that actually made sense and could have the possibilities of going into production. Your dad provided you with a wealth of memories that you are gracious to share with us.
11/06/2026 7:54 am
Kinda has an Olds vibe front and a Moparish rear, to me anyway.😁
michaeldetorrice reacted