Poll: Which '53? (5/16/2026)

What great exterior colors on these big '50's American hardtop coupes ! The Mercury perhaps featured a more modern looking appearance and V-8 performance, but Pontiac was already planning a new look and V-8 for 1955.

Nice comparison John. I love both but favor the Mercury a bit more for it's last of the flathead V8s and it's dashboard.

Though neither are favorites, I like the comparison. Overall, to my eye and specific taste, I favor the Merc!

Mercury by a mile. It looks sleek, the Pontiac doesn't.

Anybody care to guess my pick, lol? Too easy, for me anyway.😁

This year Mercury is my favorite (tied with the '55) of its decade.  I am a lifelong Pontiac lover but in '53 the Merc makes the Poncho look quite dated.

Spent many a happy/fun hour cruising around in best friends '53 Mercury.

Bill on his Triumph, me on the ground under Bill's Mercury with my '48 Dodge in the background.  1962

Another Mercury vote John. I love the styling and the power train on this one.

@brush Bruce, your friend Bill looks like the Fonz.

I picked the Mercury.  The Pontiac looks more cluttered and the Mercury looks more sleek. 

No surprise here as most love this era Mercury. My vote goes to the Pontiac. We had a '50 Catalina. The styling and drive train were very similar to this Pontiac. So for me it's the Pontiac.

Gents, thanks for your replies.

@sizedoesmatter I LOVE the '50 Catalina design!

Tie. I like the Mercury but there is something about the Pontiac.  I pulled both models out of the cabinet to look at them.  I realized wait i bought both I must like em.