Charles Phoenix JOYRIDE: 1956 Mercury X-M Turnpike Cruiser

DREAMCAR DREAMS DO COME TRUE: I felt like the luckiest guy in the world to be among the first to see Mercury’s one-of-a-kind 1956 X-M Turnpike Cruiser, freshly restored to divine perfection. After all, for decades I’d been dreaming of the day Detroit’s ultimate concept/dream would be brought back from the dead.

Finally, after 60 years of decay and deterioration the ravishing resurrection of this ultra high-fashion cosmic carriage has triumphantly happened, all thanks to automotive restoration artist extraordinaire, Tom Maruska who heroically rescued and painstakingly restored the “eXperimental-Mercury.” The result is intoxicating. Someone, please give this man a superhero cape!

Make no mistake about it, this is the space age show car that outdid and upstaged every other prototype of its era. Unapologetically, the X-M Turnpike Cruiser epitomizes, like no other, the extravagance, exuberance, and out-of-this-world optimism that defined the skies-the-limit automotive design and style guide of the late 1950s.

We might as well just get it out in the open, the Mercury X-M Cruiser is more than a mid-century modern masterpiece, it’s a world-class national treasure of the absolute highest order to behold!

I’ve celebrated many a mid-century motor car but this one is my absolute FAVORITE CAR OF ALL TIME.

[fiddlington]

I can’t believe this car was even allowed to get in such a shape. That’s utterly remarkable in itself. Thank you Tom for talking on this massive task!

[DionicioThomas-qdns]

Everyone knows classic cars are more than just cars. They are pieces of art and and history
We need more people who can restore these kind of cars
Like tom Maruska

[zzzut]

Thank God for enthusiasts such as Mr Maruska. That car is over the top but as Liberace would say: Too much of a good thing is wonderful!

[larrymarvin]

Thank You Tom Maruska for saving this piece of history, amazing restoration job.

[billhowes]

Not all heroes wear capes. This gentleman deserves a gold medal for this marvelous restoration. Kept alive for future generations to see.❤️

[warrenblackwell]

When I was 14 my Dad bought a brand new ‘57 Mercury Monterey.It was a yellow and white, two door hardtop with the Cruiser skirts.I thought it was the most beautiful car ever.It had several features borrowed from that “concept car “.Thank you for saving it, amazing restoration.

[THROTTLEPOWER]

Oh wow 😍 now that is a BEAUTIFUL Mercury!!!!👍🙂

[annemcgill]

Oh those long Duluth winter nights, thank you Tom Maruska for working on this beautiful car and bringing her back. It's amazing.

[anthonydilligaf]

This obviously isn't his first restore.
My Lord, this is beautiful.

[orionwarren]

To hand remake all of those body panels and interior pieces plus to find and then have all the chrome parts redone well, priceless and speechless are about the only words that come to mind!

[jaygatz]

This car is something else! This man is a magician. Love the orange colour.

[warrenjohnson]

The XM Cruiser sat rotting off Telegraph Road in Flat Rock Mi for years. I remember seeing it as a high school student in the late 70s.

[a.s]

Tom Maruska is an ABSOLUTE LEGEND! This just goes to show that any car is restoreable with the right amount of money and a whole lot of determination. This has also got to be one of my new all-time favorite cars too. It's absolutely incredible!

[MrJrich]

I was at the Mecum car auction yesterday (1/4/23) in Kissimmee FL. I actually saw this car on display in the to be auctioned area. Absolutely awesome!

[MrPhotodoc]

I don't know what is better, Charles's voice, the writing or the actual content. It's all good.

[davidkastin]

I love Mercurys and this is the most iconic one ever made. I've been following all videos on YT. Hard to believe it was left to be a rotted out husk. Tom is a Super Hero. I had to keep wiping my tears of joy seeing it fully restored. Thank you Tom and Charles for bringing us this Mercury Masterpiece 😍

[godfreyberry]

Tom Maruska - a SUPERHERO is an understatement - what a magnificent contribution to creativity of the highest order. The sheer callousness of persons unnamed of simply not giving a dammn when this gem was allowed to rot in the first place beats me.

[heckmacbuff]

6000 hours! Time exceedingly well spent on this Jet Age masterpiece.

[joshthemediocre]

I have always been a fan of old Fords, all 4 of my uncles still own 20's -60's Fords we have dozens in the family, i grew up looking at car magazines and now i sometimes sit on the internet for hours watching different auto related videos, BUT i had still never heard of this. Thanks for expanding my mind with this sweet story. The Turnpike Cruiser looks like the perfect car to do that in.

[shiftintohigh]

Behold the glory! Dual Dagmars! Its epic! Thanks Tom!👍👍😎🇺🇸🎃