For 1962, Mercury repositioned its full-size Meteor, shifting the name to a mid-size sibling of the Ford Fairlane that utilized a 116.5-inch wheelbase. Advertisements for the new car touted its twin personalities: small size coupled with surprising roominess and luxury.

The Meteor was available as two- and four-door sedans, a two-door hardtop, and a four-door station wagon, and could be ordered with 170-cid and 223-cid six-cylinder engines, as well as a 145-hp 221-cid V-8, or a 260-cid V-8 with 164 hp. Both manual and automatic transmissions were possible, and a standard, a Custom, and an S-33 trim (only available on two-door models) widened the car’s range. The Custom added slightly more trim and comfort inside, while the S-33 added sportier features like bucket seats and a center console.

Mercury added a four-door station wagon and a hardtop coupe to the Meteor lineup for 1963, and also freshened the exterior slightly. The four-door station wagon could be decorated with DI-NOC faux wood siding, and a four-speed was added to the options list, though few were ordered. Engine choices remained largely the same. Sales of 100,000 over the two-year run didn’t meet company expectations, however, and the model was cancelled for 1963.

The 1962 and 1963 Mercury Meteor wasn’t particularly powerful or fast, but it was certainly stylish. It also offered a greater degree of comfort than similar Fords. All the same, relatively few were built which can make locating a solid example difficult, and locating replacement parts even more troublesome.