Voiture à identifier #5

mercury d528 beldone1955

Mercury D-528 Beldone

Built by Ford Mercury in 1953-55 and used as a rolling laboratory. Prototype Y block motor XY-3, fully cast fiberglass body, first opening rear electric window. The colors on it are original colors as is the interior design. Restored such that the original build quality was not compromised. Used in a number of movies, including as a trick car by Jerry Lewis.

The D-528 was built to test advanced concepts in seating, lighting, air conditioning, and front frame design. The hinged rear fender bulges were functional, concealing a spare tire on one side and a gas tank on the other. Such a design gave the car adequate luggage capacity despite the need to accommodate a large air conditioning system. Although it boasted design features such as a pillarless windshield and Ford’s first reverse-sloping retractable rear window, it was an in-house research vehicle that was never shown publicly. "Beldone" was a stage name selected by Paramount Pictures for the car’s appearance in the 1964 Jerry Lewis movie, The Patsy, not an official Ford designation.

Source: Barrett-Jackson; Petersen Automotive Museum