Seeing this ’49 Mercury M47 truck makes me wonder what it’s life would have been like had the previous owner just kept it going rather than starting a restoration that they never finished? Perhaps it would still be on the road? Or maybe it would have rusted beyond repair? Often, stalled projects would have been better off being left alone, but being a work truck in Canada it’s probably for the best that it was stored away from the elements. You can find it here on eBay in Cavalier, North Dakota with a current bid of $3,150 and no reserve!
It’s probably controversial to say this, but I’d be tempted to leave this truck as is cosmetically. I know, that’s blasphemy and everything deserves a shiny $10k paint job, but this thing just looks tough! A new paint job would erase all that history, but I suppose a new paint job would make it worth more. Well, whatever the next owner decides to do with it, it’s going to need an interior and mechanical work.
The original flathead V8 was taken apart and cleaned, but has been sitting ever since. The seller states that it’s all here and was properly stored, so it just needs to be assembled. There’s no word on if the block was machined or inspected for cracks, but hopefully, everything is up to spec and ready to go back together. If it does need to be machined still, at least the block is out and ready to go.
While this truck is more or less identical to the Ford version sold here in America, it would be fun to have something that wasn’t officially sold here. You definitely don’t see these often on our roads and I’m sure it would create plenty of interesting conversations. I hope the next owner keeps us posted on what they decide to do with it, whether that’s fully restoring it or leaving it as is. It would be interesting to follow along as they get it back on the road. So, what would you do with this one?
Reassemble and install the flatty, fix anything else that needs fixing. Presto! Driveable yard art!
You mean drivable road art!
Yes driveable yard art
Put that sucker back together and drive the effin’ snot out of it!
Not very many of them around. Restore it, drive it and enjoy it. I might add that you don’t need to get a second mortgage to give it a decent paint job. I know of several projects that were painted right in the guy’s driveway and they turned out great. I painted bikes outside, and they were fine.
I’m curious as to whether this has the original engine or not. The Mercury pickup didn’t use the same engine as the Ford; it was a 239 but with aluminum heads, giving it an extra 5 hp. By 1950 you could get a Mercury pickup with the 255 engine, something that you couldn’t get in a Ford 1/2 ton.
OK, I’ll probably get bashed for this: Get a replacement frame, slip it under the body with a Coyote, trans, suspension along with tires and rearend. Save all the original stuff so it could be returned to original if ever desired. You’d have the beauty and character of the truck along with new drivability and the ability to take it back if ever desired.
I doubt you’d ever see another one like it configured that way.
One of these just sold for $30k at Barrett Jackson, it was perfect. This should go to some one that has years to spend intead of money. Get it running put it to work and gradually bring her back to show room new. To few and way to cool to let this jem go to waste. My first project was a 1956 f100, made the mistake of taking it a part, ugh. Drive em love em enjoy them. Very few have the juice to geter done.
Moral of the story: let someone else lose his/her shirt on the restoration, then buy at an incredible discount. Fortunately there are still plenty of people willing to sacrifice shirts for good fiscal sense.
It’s true, not every vehicle “needs” a shiny, expensive paint work. I don’t see the point in ‘over-restoring’ a classic car/truck. Way too many trailer queens out there. Clean this one up, make it serviceable, and enjoy it. Each bump,or scrape is part of the charm.
Shouldn’t the turn signals/marker lights be inside the grille instead of on the outside of the headlights?
No, only North American Ford’s had them in the grille. Mercury’s like this truck have them on the fenders, as do Australian Ford’s.
On Mercs, they were in the fenders.
Too much $ for so much work to do. Buy a runner & save time & $. Where is the shift lever?
Clearly visible in one of the photos.
The only sad part of this scenario is that it’s not still in Canada. But as long as it gets the much needed restoration what does it matter where it is.i think a simpathetic restoration is in order. Repair only what needs repairing then put a single stage gloss paint job. If this were in my garage I could get this to a driver quality restoration that looks great for about $4k
Nice project, unique that its a Merc vice Ford – lots of work and $’s ahead of next owner. I’ll stick with my ’48 F1 thank you, much closer, however original flat 6 was seized so it now has power train out of a ’70 Torino donor (351C/C6). Good luck on this one, love the body style
Well, I pulled the trigger. She’s getting transported to the Chicago area and I’ll decide how to proceed with the resto once I inspect her for realsies. A trip to North Dakota was not gonna happen…
She’ll be a driver. I don’t own a trailer. Cheers!
Good on you! Best wishes moving forward, love seeing this old trucks moving down the road again.