- Seller: David T (Contact)
- Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
- Mileage: 61,798 Shown
- Chassis #: N9WD552286
- Title Status: Missing
- Engine: 383 V8
- Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic w/Overdrive
Station wagons were once disposable family transportation. They hauled kids, groceries, camping equipment, and just about everything else until most were simply worn out and discarded. That history makes survivors like this 1959 Mercury Commuter considerably more interesting today. This one still wears what the seller describes as its original paint, retains its 383 V8 and three-speed with overdrive, and even comes with its original build sheet. It needs restoration, but for someone searching for a late-1950s wagon with all the right options, this may be worth the trip north. Located in Fairbanks, Alaska, this Mercury shows 61,798 miles and is offered as a Barn Finds Auction. The seller lists the title as missing, so prospective bidders should investigate what documentation will be provided and what their home state requires before bidding.
The Commuter wears a striking combination of dark exterior paint and a bright red interior. The finish shows its age, but it presents as an honest survivor. Rather than hiding rust and filler beneath fresh paint, the car reveals its history and condition. Photos show the wonderfully extravagant styling Mercury offered in 1959: quad headlights, broad chrome bumpers, dramatic tailfins, abundant stainless trim, and a long roof that seems to stretch forever. It is exactly the kind of car that makes modern crossovers look boring.
The seller says new flat glass has already been installed. Most of the trim is present, with only two pieces specifically noted as missing: a molding at the right rear window and the exterior chrome molding on the left side of the tailgate. The seller also notes that some bodywork will be required. The left rear quarter suffered damage at its lower corner, and corrosion is present around the wheel opening and lower quarter. The seller initially noted two soft spots in the passenger-side floor, but after reviewing better photos clarified that both front floor-pan areas need repair or replacement, along with rust in the passenger-side rear-seat pan. The remainder of the structure is described as very solid.
The photos are useful here because they don’t attempt to hide anything. Several close-ups show the corrosion around the floor and wheel-opening areas, giving bidders a much better idea of what they are taking on before transporting a project all the way from Alaska.
Under the hood is Mercury’s 383 cubic-inch V8, which was rated at 280 horsepower. The engine is currently non-running, although the seller states that it turns over. That is certainly better news than a seized engine, but after long-term inactivity, the next owner should assume it’ll need to be gone through before attempting to start it. Getting it on the road will at minimum require servicing the rest of the drivetrain and brakes. While this is a big car, the 383 had to make it a surprisingly quick cruiser.
Inside, the Commuter retains a lot of its period character. The bright red dashboard, steering wheel, door trim, and cargo-area details make the cabin nearly as interesting as the exterior. The front seat and door panels have already been redone, while the seller says the rest of the interior is in generally good condition. The photos show the expansive cargo area, rear seat, original instrumentation, and the kind of utilitarian details that made wagons like this popular with families.
One particularly valuable piece of documentation accompanies the car: its original build sheet. The seller also has the keys and says original shop maintenance materials will be included. That documentation could come in handy if you decide to fully restore it. Late-1950s wagons are difficult to find in any condition, and model-specific trim, glass, interior components, and tailgate hardware can be considerably harder to locate than parts for more common coupes and sedans. Even information can be more challenging to find.
This Mercury is definitely a project. It needs floor repair, quarter-panel work, brakes, engine recommissioning, some missing trim, and title work. Shipping a non-running wagon from Fairbanks will also require more planning than hauling a project across town. That being said, this isn’t a car you come across very often. These wagons were rare when new, and there can’t be many left. Add in that it retains original paint, most of its trim, a 383 V8, an attractive red interior, and original documentation, and things start to make sense. So, will you be making a trip to Alaska, or will you just have it shipped down?
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