Is This a Future Mercury?
In an auto show filled to the brim with more concepts and new model releases than ever before, the Messenger almost faded into Ford's white display stand background. If it was red, lime green or yellow, or some alternatively dramatic hue, maybe it would have stood out more. But then again it wouldn't have looked nearly as pretty.
 |
| Immediately upon seeing the gorgeous Mercury Messenger at the North American International Auto Show in January I fell head over heals. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
And look at it, Mercury's Messenger is gorgeous. But that's how impressive last January's North American International Auto Show was. Even a car this impressive got lost in the mix.
Immediately upon seeing it I fell head over heals. I walked around it over and over, only one of a scant number of journalists that seemed minutely interested, snapping shots and contemplating its clean, understated lines. It didn't take too many minutes to figure out what it is about this concept that pulled so heavily on my heartstrings, but ironically the answer has nothing to do with any ties to the Mercury brand. Sure I owned a particularly cool '64 Montcalm coupe, black with red interior and chrome everywhere. What a sled. Mercs were special back then.
 |
| From almost every angle the Messenger expresses the general shape of the '60s Corvette coupe. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
While at least as impressive, the Messenger looks closer to another car from that era made by its arch rival, Chevrolet. From almost every angle it expresses the general shape of the '60s Corvette coupe, at least to my eyes. Sure the head and taillights differ, although those on the front look a little too close to the fixed headlights used in racing spec Corvettes. Its profile, especially above the shoulder line, stirs up even stronger 'Vette emotions. What's more, I used to cruise with a good friend in his 1964 Corvette coupe, painted an almost identical color of silver blue metallic.