What were they Thinking? Mercury’s ‘Wrist-Twist’ from the 1960s

Styling trends come and go, but if there's one thing that has remained relatively unchanged in the past 105 years of personal motoring: the steering wheel.

Although plastics have replaced iron and wood and airbags (1970s) and radio controls (1990s) have been added, the basic design remains the same: a circular ring with spokes connected to a central hub.

Some cars had horns in a ring circling the hub (Mercedes-Benz 300SL), others had oblong steering wheels (Austin Allegro) and a few had only one spoke (Citroen DS). At the end of the day though, they all had some sort of steering wheel... except this car.

At Mercury, engineer Bob Rumm produced this one-off 1965 Mercury Park Lane convertible with so-called "wrist-twist" steering controls. The standard steering wheel has been replaced by two 5-inch, wrist-operated dials, that the promo claims frees up knee room, improves visibility and makes parking easier. Now take a moment to consider why Mr. Rumm is an "ex-"missile engineer at the height of the Cold War.

The promo also cheerfully informs us that the wrist-twist can be used by, "a driver who promises to be about as non-technical as they come," by which they mean a woman. Carscoop is reliably informed they can vote now [...].

I suppose we should be thankful that a lot of these concepts, including the wrist-twist, never left Ford's Dearborn proving grounds.

It's the sort of thing that could only have been made in the 1960s, the decade that gave us the laser, manned spaceflight and Astroturf. Like everything else, cars were becoming more futuristic, and by futuristic we mean daft. And by daft we mean Modern Mechanix of the 1930s daft.

It's also the sort of thing the Ford Motor Company was coming up at the time. Just for fun, type 'Ford Nucleon' into Google, and see what other disastrous innovations motorists of the 1960s were spared.

By Tristan Hankins

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

Mercury's 2003 Messenger Sports Coupe Concept also up for Sale

The five Lincoln concept models that we told you about on Friday will be joined by the 2003 Mercury Messenger concept at the RM's Sports & Classics of Monterey auction on August 12th.

The two-seater sports coupe prototype of the soon-to-be discontinued Mercury brand broke cover at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit back in 2003. It was supposed to herald a new and more stylish design language for the company while some had also suggested that it may inspire a production model - unfortunately for Mercury, that never happened.

Influenced by the Cougars of the late sixties with a rakish roofline that recalls Ford's GT supercar, the rear-wheel drive Messenger Coupe was designed to be powered by the Dearborn automaker's familiar 4.6 liter V8 engine (the study is not fitted with a powertrain). The folks over at RM Auctions estimate that the Messenger can fetch between US$75,000 and $100,000.

Here's an excerpt from the Ford's 2003 NAIAS press release:

"At the North American International Auto Show, Mercury is a brand sending a message that modern design will lead its rejuvenation, beginning with its new Messenger concept coupe.

Mercury is returning to its roots as a design leader introducing the Messenger concept, a distinctive and energetic high-performance two-seat sports coupe.

The Messenger concept car represents the first expression of Mercury's new design DNA with a clean, technical appearance that begins to establish the look of Mercury products still to come. Mercury will introduce four new products over the next four years including a minivan, a small sport utility and two cars.

"The body surface reflects the car's power and grace, with flowing body lines that are accented with purposeful air intakes and outlets," says Gerry McGovern, design director, Lincoln Mercury. "The dynamic fluidity of the Messenger's lean and taut form is expressed at rest as much as it is in movement."

___________________________________________________________________

2003 Mercury Messenger Concept

Estimate: $75,000-$100,000 US

Rolling interior and exterior display model. No drivetrain. Wheelbase: 111.2" - Sleek, stillborn sports coupe - A Mercury that might have been - Compact, efficient packaging

Mercury Messenger Technical Specifications

General

The Mercury Messenger is a high performance, two-seat sports car powered by a V-8 classically driving the rear wheels.

Engine/Drive train

Front engine, rear wheel drive.
All-aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC V-8
6-speed automatic sequential gearbox

Body and Chassis

Unique monocoque construction using a composite / aluminum hybrid 'tub' chassis with super-formed aluminum panels bonded to it. The result is a body with high torsional rigidity providing excellent ride and handling properties. Occupant protection is enhanced and noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) is reduced by this method of construction.

Wheels/Brakes/Suspension

Rear 18 spoke 20 x 10J cast alloy wheels with Goodyear 305/40R20 tires
Front 18 spoke 19 x 9J cast alloy wheels with Goodyear 275/40/R19 tires

High performance Brembo power assisted brakes, anti-lock brake system using Electronic Brake Force Distribution

Front - 355mm vented discs with 4 piston calipers

Rear - 355mm vented discs with 4 piston calipers

Computer active suspension adjusts ride height and dynamics to suit driving style, speed and road conditions with 'intelligent' traction control

Electronically actuated parking brake

Steering

Power assisted variable ratio rack and pinion

Dimensions

Length 4533mm / 178.5"

Width 1938mm / 76.3"

Height 1304mm / 51.3"

Wheelbase 2825mm / 111.2"

Front track 1662mm / 65.4"

Rear track 1650mm / 65"

Trunk volume 340 liters

Legroom 1084mm / 42.6"

Headroom 943mm / 38"

Safety and Security

Integral safety cell structure

Personal Safety System Global vehicle theft location system

Self-leveling high-intensity 'projector' headlamps

LED technology brake lights with faster response for additional safety

Automatically monitored and adjusted tire pressure sensing system

Comfort and Convenience

Independent climate control for driver and passenger with pollen filtration

THX certified digital CD/Radio Hi-fi system.

Automatic volume control linked to vehicle speed Hands free telephone capability

Rain sensing windshield wipers

Automatically dimming interior rear view mirror

Powered and heated exterior rear view mirrors

Height and reach adjustable steering column

Low-E glass to reduce UV and heat build up

Stowage space behind seats with integral child seat fittings