Before we collectively get into a debate regarding automotive body-styles, please be advised that the description used by the marque, you know, the outfit that actually designed, built, marketed, distributed, and sold the vehicle, is the description used here for reference. That being the case, what is described here in the accompanying listing as a Mercury 8 is simply referred to as a Mercury “Sedan” in 1941 Mercury sales literature. Of course, the original didn’t look exactly like this mildly customized version, so for further review, let’s closely examine this 1941 Mercury Sedan, located in Polk City, Florida, and available here on Barn Finds Classifieds or here on eBay for $14,500.
Mercury offered a Sedan (with two-doors), a Sedan – Coupe (another two-door variant), a Coupe (like a business coupe but with a fold-down rear jump seat), a Convertible (two doors), a Town Sedan (four doors), and a station wagon (four doors) in 1941. They had all of the bases well covered!
The seller rates the candy-apple red metallic finish as a 9 out of 10; well it certainly shows very well and there are multiple images for review so you can get a complete picture of the entire exterior. In addition to the strong finish, the stainless trim is intact and bright and there is no sign of crash damage or corrosion. The seller indicates that the door seals could stand replacement but he has a new set included with the sale. I refer to this Mercury as a mild custom but it is a custom in the mildest sense i.e., stance, bumper removal, wheels and tires, a little under the hood, that’s about it.
The underside shows as well as topside. It is uncanny to find a driver quality car, one pushing 80 years of age no less, one that is not a top drawer restoration result, with so clean an undercarriage. This sedan would appear to need nothing.
The interior is rated as an 8 out of 10 by the seller – his rating standards are more selective than mine, it looks magnificent! There is no word as to when or what was specifically done to the interior but it appears beyond clean and provides an inviting, comfortable environment. The seller states that all of the lights and gauges are operational and the horn is the only item currently on the fritz. Beyond rubber floor mats, the only nod to modernity would be the steering column-mounted tachometer.
Under the hood is what else but a 239 CI, Merc flat-head V8, originally good for 95 HP. The engine has been endowed with some nice-looking custom touches, no telling if the power has been enhanced. The seller advises that the engine, “starts easily every time and runs extremely smooth and Runs and drives strong with no issues.” The engine compartment certain gets points for being clean and orderly. Gear changes are handled by a three-speed manual transmission and we are further told that it “shifts smooth with no problems.”
When one thinks of Mercury hot rods or lead-sleds, the stereotypical, redesigned 1949 model is frequently the model first conjured. But there is no denying this beautiful example’s contribution to the 1940’s hot-rodding set. And it is rare to find such a perfect example of a car from this era, hot rod vibe or not, that needs nothing. This is a lot of car for the money; the tough stuff has already been done. It’s definitely worthy of consideration, don’t you think?
Are the rear fenders from two different models? the driver side looks to be several inches wider than the passenger side and they each have a different bumper cutout. I would not mind either way and would love to see it sitting next to my T-Bird
I think it’s just the angle the picture was taken at.
This looks like a guy bought a really solid clean 41 Mercury, dolled up the interior a bit , took the bumpers off and painted it red . The wide whitewall spare is likely what the car had all around before the ” customizing ” .I think he should put the bumpers back on anyway, it looks kind of goofy without them IMO
Definitely would agree about putting the bumpers back on. I’ve seen too many people that ‘park by feel’ and would hate to see this one damaged that way.
Though I should have expected it, still was a bit of a surprise seeing a tube driveshaft.
NOTE: picture 3 shows missing parking / emergency brake cables that should run to the holes on the rear backing plates from the cable that comes from the parking brake handle in the interior. that is why there is a brick in front of the right rear tire.
I wonder if that’s a ’39 transmission? I think in ’40 they moved it to the column. Really a nice solid looking car. Also looking at the rear fenders, I think they are the same width. (just maybe not on center when taking the picture) But I see what you mean about the cutouts.
By all means put the bumpers back on it!
The way folks drive here in Florida, this
good-looking car would be smashed to
smithereens! I’ll wager that the Flatty’s
been tweaked a bit too. She’s probably
been balanced, blueprinted, and relieved
along with maybe a bore-out and a mill
job on the heads too. I’m gonna say that
she’s up to at least 255 cubes and making at least 130 to 150 HP. Might even be running an Isky cam too. Any way
you slice it, this is one nice car!
Yeah, this is really “old school” cool. I believe some states require bumpers, and would finish it out nice. Done right, not some fire-breather, just a cool old hot rod. Now, wouldn’t it look so much nicer all patina rusty? Kidding, of course, but doesn’t a nice paint job look nice? Reminds me of my old Volvo,,,
Guess I’m alone here, but I think this particular car looks very nice without bumpers, especially the front. Should survive fine if driven carefully and only to shows, like insurance requires anyway.
Joining the bumper crowd. Not surprised at the floor shift. The ’39s were the hot rod box of the era and a lot more fun than the 3 on the tree. Nice car.
Question… I don’t remember the Mercs using Ford taillights. Was it this model only or did these folks swap them out ?
Back to 1978 and my friend Sam and I are working in Mexico City. Sam has a 41 Mercury coupé and I have a 47 Ford Coupé, chrome steels and lowered.
Neither car could provide either safe or reliable transport, but we were young and picked up a lot of car vocabulary on trips to the old Ford parts retailers who could still supply most of what was needed.
A couple of educated guess’s ,the fenders are one Ford and one Mercury, the tail lights are Ford and so are the rubber gards on the fenders. The floor shift transmission, is 39 or earlier. Ken ,I don’t know why you would assume the flathead has those modifications, I would say it probably dosn’t and I have never heard of a bore or stroke, that would make, a 250 inch flathead.
Looks like a clean restoration and build!! I like the fact he kept the flathead and three speed transmission!! He did put in an alternated which is much better in my opinion than the generator!! $14,500 doesn’t seem bad to me either for the amount of work done!! You couldn’t build one for that!!
In the underbody photo, the handbrake cable isn’t even attached to the chassis bracket. All it needs is the spring clip to attach it. I wonder what other poor maintainence will tear its ugly head?
Now I C where tthe Wolwo copied for the (is it) 544
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=volvo+544&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8