Instagram: The 1956 Mercury XM-Turnpike Cruiser was a one‑of‑a‑kind concept car built by Ghia of Italy, showcasing futuristic styling inspired by science‑fiction visions of America’s automotive future. Though it never reached production, its dramatic lines and advanced features heavily influenced Mercury’s 1957–1959 Turnpike Cruiser models and cemented its status as an iconic 1950s show car.