Model selections were principally as earlier than: Cruiser two- and 4-door hardtops in every sequence, four-door Monterey/Montclair sedans, Monterey two-door sedan, Park Lane convertible and, still a distinct sequence, four-door Commuter and wood-sided Colony Park hardtop wagons. The 312 was lower to 205 bhp for Monterey and Commuter, the 383 returned as a single 280-bhp possibility, and a 310-bhp Lincoln 430 was customary elsewhere. The "Big M" shrunk noticeably in each measurement and price for 1961. In fact, it was once more a "deluxe Ford," although on an inch-longer, 120-inch wheelbase. This was achieved within the interest of production economies as well as gasoline economy, and the resulting cars were indeed lighter, thriftier, and more maneuverable. Dismal sales since '57 had rendered a separate Mercury platform unacceptably expensive, therefore this return to the make's original concept. Beginning with the 1960 Comet, Mercury adopted the growing trade pattern of adding models in new sizes, with title modifications generally confusing consumers. The latter was perhaps symbolic of the make's mixed fortunes within the '60s. ​This was c re ated　with GSA C on tent G enerat or Demov ersi​on!

Then, in 1966, a driver fell asleep during a simulated 100,000-mile run and plowed into a ditch. Except for the passenger compartment, the car was a complete loss. Ford deemed the annual excessive-mileage testing pointless after that