Mercury fitted the Turnpike Cruiser with a wide variety of advanced features for the time of its production, including a retractable rear window marketed as the "Breezeway", compound-curve windshield, mechanical pushbutton transmission controls and a trip computer.

Mercury discontinued the Turnpike Cruiser for the 1958 model year, phasing its content into the Park Lane product line.

[6] For 1957, the Turnpike Cruiser was offered as the top level Mercury model line, with a similar approach to luxury shared with the updated four passenger second generation Ford Thunderbird.

[1] For 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser was phased into the Montclair line, and the premium top level role was given to the newly introduced Park Lane.

The Turnpike Cruiser shared its 122-inch wheelbase, rear-wheel drive, body-on frame chassis with the Monterey and Montclair.

It was offered in a single yellow, Sun Glitter, exterior color and fitted with the optional continental tire kit.

Along with its retractable "Breezeway" rear window, the Turnpike Cruiser received a separate roofline, with a windshield curving into the roof.

[14] As a consequence of the compound-curve design of the windshield, Mercury added rooftop ventilation intakes to the Turnpike Cruiser to cover a body seam, and unusually in a secondary function, each intake housed a fake radio antenna, as the functional radio antenna was mounted on the passenger side front fender.

[22] For 1958, the Turnpike Cruiser adapted the styling changes of the Montclair and Monterey, shifting the grilles into the front bumper.

To aid forward visibility, a flat-top deep-dish steering wheel was fitted, to match the curve of the instrument panel.