[Lee Stewart]

Mercury Messenger (2003) The Messenger wasn’t cutting edge in either its technology or design, but we include it for its allure, in the kind of way that only a muscular coupé can. This Mercury featured a 306 hp 4.6-liter quad-cam Mustang-sourced V8. Designed by Gerry McGovern (now design chief at Land Rover), the Messenger was supposed to usher in a new era for Mercury but alas it was not to be. In 2010 the Messenger concept was auctioned off, just before the Mercury brand was closed down; one lucky collector got to secure the unique car for just $52,250.