One was the bigger-bore 292 V-eight from the brand new T-Bird and 1955 Mercury, with 8.5:1 compression, 4-barrel carb, and 198 bhp. In 1955, for $35 above the $100 value of the bottom V-8, this package had greater 8.5:1 compression and a 4-barrel carb, raising the horsepower to 182 - but was available only with Fordomatic. It had a Holley 4-barrel carb, 8.0:1 compression, and 200 bhp (customary transmission); with an 8.4:1 squeeze it cranked out 202 horses (Fordomatic). The venerable two-barrel...

One was the bigger-bore 292 V-eight from the brand new T-Bird and 1955 Mercury, with 8.5:1 compression, 4-barrel carb, and 198 bhp. In 1955, for $35 above the $100 value of the bottom V-8, this package had greater 8.5:1 compression and a 4-barrel carb, raising the horsepower to 182 - but was available only with Fordomatic. It had a Holley 4-barrel carb, 8.0:1 compression, and 200 bhp (customary transmission); with an 8.4:1 squeeze it cranked out 202 horses (Fordomatic). The venerable two-barrel...