Poll: Which '61? (3/22/2026)

I like the styling of the '61 Mercury very much but there is something about the clean, trim lines of the Pontiac that has made it  (and the '63 GP) my favorite Ponchos of their decade since I first saw them as a kid.  It gets the nod today.

The Pontiac cannot be denied.

Thanks again John for another gorgeous Pontiac. You all know where my heart lies.😁 I also love the '69 Trans Am in the background of the Merc.🤑

Two worthy opponents John. I like both; but I like the Pontiac a teeny bit more. 

@geno  +1

The Mercury is rare and very sharp, but the Pontiac is DDG!

Oh boy!  This is a tough one today.  Not because I like both cars a lot, but rather I have different feelings about each for these reasons. 

1) The '61 Mercury to me is miles better looking than the '61 Ford, the latter of which I've always disliked the styling of.  But that same Mercury was also a let down to me after what I thought to be the drop-dead gorgeous '60 Mercury. 

2) With regards to the '61 Pontiac, I can only say it is so much jazzier than the previous years bland '60, that let me down so badly after the incredibly beautiful '59. 

3) So comparing the '61 Mercury vs. the '61 Pontiac, here are the different feelings I mentioned above.  I like the rear taillights on the Mercury better than the curvy bumper rear-end of the Pontiac.  So the Mercury wins on that merit.  As for their respective grills, I find the Mercury appealing and subtle, while I see the Pontiac's as aggressive and sort of bold. Both are okay.

4) So using my imagination and getting behind the wheel of both, the Pontiac's dashboard is way, way, way more comfortable to stare at.  As I've alluded to on this site many times, a dashboard is what I'm going to be looking at more on any car when I own it and drive it.  If I'm not pleased with the dash, that overrides any exterior look of a car. 

5) So, drum-roll please...TODAY the PONTIAC gets my vote.  I love the Dash!

My all time favorite Mercury vs my all time favorite Pontiac. Not fair John.

LOVE them both. I have always preferred FoMoCo over GMC but today with these two it is a TIE for me. 

I am the only one so far to pick the Mercury.  I love the slight tail fin and the sleekness of the body lines.  Sorry to me the Pontiac just look drab other than the nose. 

Both good vehicles for the times. Like most, I prefer the Pontiac.

I have to agree this one is difficult.  Beginning with the grills. Both have the angry road munching grills I like to see. They both look like birds of prey to me.  I also like the tail lights on both. The Mercury looks to be a little wider and not as streamlines as the Pontiac.  It is interesting that in 63 the Pontiac looks wider and 64 the Mercury looks more trimmed.  I would definitely enjoy tooling the neighborhood with the top down in 61 and today with either.  I hate to say it though if I was out browsing for new 61 I would be pulled into the Pontiac dealership and just give the Mercury a passing look.  So I did ramble a bit but I voted for the Pontiac by a nose. 

While both are pleasing to me, another vote for the Pontiac with it's eight lug wheels. Nice comparison John.

I love the Mercury but the Pontiac makes my heart sing.

Posted by: @jack-dodds

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@geno  +1

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OMG Jack, now that put a smile on my face.💯😁