Like all Ford Motor Company cars, Mercury was completely restyled for 1952. Now there were two Mercury models for the first time, the Custom and the Monterey. This was also the first year for Mercury's true two-door hardtop. Wagons came in six and eight-passenger configurations, and featured all metal bodies with wood cladding.

The rear doors of Mercury four-door sedans now opened in the conventional manner. Suspended pedals were new to the car. Almost half of all 1952 Mercurys came with automatic transmission, and about 33 percent of the manual shift cars were equipped with overdrive.

The 1952 Mercury production was only half of 1951 at 152,086 units. Three factors may have contributed to this, the Korean War recession, huge sales of the '51 model stealing from 1952, and the possibility that the new styling caught the public by surprise.

1952 Mercury Custom - SERIES 2M

Both the Custom and the Monterey had frenched headlights, a one-piece curved windshield, wraparound rear window, faux hood scoop, bumper/grille integrated as one unit, and vertical tail/backup lights encased in chrome to make them look like part of the rear bumper. 

Mercury standard equipment was similar to 1951 and included: cigarette lighter, electric clock, locking glove compartment, twin horns, two sun visors, arm rests on each front door, two ashtrays in rear compartment, friction-lock, ventilating windows in front, dimming control for instrument lights, luggage compartment light, and spare wheel and tire in luggage compartment.

1952 Mercury Monterey - SERIES 2M

Except for the chrome rocker panels, a stainless "C" panel, and upscale wheel covers, exterior styling on he Monterey was the same the lower-priced Custom. Standard Monterey features included a two-tone paint job and leather and vinyl interior.

Body Colors -

• 01 Black
• 02 Admiral Blue
• 04 Fanfare Maroon
• 05 Newport Gray
• 07 Lucerne Blue
• 09 Pebble Tan
• 10 Academy Blue
• 11 Hillcrest Green
• 12 Coventry Gray Green
• 13 Lakewood Green
• 19 Vassar Yellow

Upholstery Choices -

• Vinyl and cloth in closed models
• Vinyl and nylon in the convertible
• Vinyl only in the station wagon.

Mercury Engines -

• L-head V-8. Cast iron block. Displacement: 255.4 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.19" x 4.00". Compression ratio: 7.20:1. Horsepower: 125 @ 3700 RPM. Torque: 218 @ 1700 RPM. Three main bearings. Carburetor: Holley 1901-FF two-barrel.

Chassis - All Models -

• Wheelbase: 118".
• Overall length: Passenger Cars - 202.4" Station Wagon - 208.5"
• Front tread: 58.0".
• Rear tread: 56.0".
• Tires: 7.10 x 15, Monterey Convertible and Wagon 7.60 x 15.

Powertrain Options -

• Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission was optional.
• Three-speed manual column mounted transmission was standard.
• Touch-O-Matic Overdrive was optional
• Rear Axle ratio 3.9:1 standard, Axle ratio for overdrive 4.27:1.

Significant Options -

• Courtesy/Map Light
• Engine Compartment Light
• Heater/Defroster
• License Plate Frames
• No-Glare Rear View Mirror
• Oil bath air cleaner
• Outside Rear-view Mirror
• Plug-in Utility lamp
• Power Seat (standard in convertible)
• Power windows (standard in convertible)
• Radio with station changing push buttons
• Seat Covers
• Spot Light
• Two-tone Paint
• Undercoating
• Visor Vanity Mirror
• Windshield Washers