One of the most famous movies ever made was “Gone with the Wind.” Set during the Civil War, this movie was based on a novel by a Georgia writer by the name of Margaret Mitchell. While the film went on to win 10 of the 13 Academy Awards for which it was nominated in 1939, it has also achieved lasting fame as perhaps one of the best movies Hollywood has ever created. If you are a fan of the book and/or the movie, then you may be interested in a vehicle that has popped up for sale after a long period in hiding. This 1940 Mercury sedan for sale on eBay in Buckhead, Georgia is the former property of Margaret Mitchell. Believed to be purchased with the funds she earned when her story was used as a basis for the film, the current seller is looking for $100,000. Is that a reasonable sum for a car connected to such a cultural landmark? Thanks to T.J. for this tip that may or may not be Gone with the Wind when you read this.
One could see why Margaret Mitchell would be interested in purchasing a Mercury in 1940. This new division of the Ford Motor Company was positioned squarely between Ford and Lincoln in the company’s hierarchy. Mercury’s presence made it not such a stretch to go from a Ford to a Lincoln, and the first generation of this mid-range car was a sales success. Powered by a slightly enhanced version of Ford’s Flathead V-8, Mercury owners could count on slightly better materials and a few stylish changes from the Ford bodies they were based upon.
Mitchell grew up in a wealthy Southern family and was steeped in the postbellum culture that came to define her only published novel. Her early life and that of her years of marriage are quite interesting and go a long way towards explaining her perspective as the author. A reporter by trade and financial necessity, Mitchell managed to earn a Pulitzer Prize for her only published novel in 1937. She subsequently sold the rights to Hollywood for a film version. “Gone with the Wind” was a hit both in the bookstore and on the silver screen. The novel and movie brought her much fame across the world. Sadly, she was hit by a speeding car while crossing Peachtree Street in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia as she was heading towards a movie theater. Mitchell lingered for five days at Grady Hospital before succumbing to her injuries.
Why Mitchell chose a sedan rather than the distinctive club coupe that Mercury exclusively offered is a mystery. One would also wonder if this car was her primary transportation during the war years. She dedicated herself to supporting the war effort by sponsoring two fighting ships, writing letters to military personnel, and generally using her fame to do good works. It would be interesting to see if the car still wore a ration sticker on the windshield, as you would expect Mitchell would be given a B or a C due to her war work. The seller provides documentation supporting the claim of her ownership. Information about the car itself is, however, scant in the ad. There is no information concerning the car’s history beyond Mitchell’s ownership and its subsequent storage in a Georgia barn.
The $100,000 asking price appears to be flexible. It appears that the seller of this unique automobile understands that it belongs in a museum and needs restoration. What is in question is just how much Mitchell’s ownership adds to the value of a seemingly rough 1940 Mercury sedan. In this particularly politically sensitive time, that figure is anyone’s guess and subject to the whims of a fickle country. Hopefully, this car finds a good home where it can be restored and displayed.
What do you think this Mercury is worth? Does Margaret Mitchell’s ownership add to the value of the car? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Maybe Mitchell bought a sedan because she was planning on getting a chauffeur at some point. In this day and age, though, I think most people would be saying “Margaret who?”.
As God is My Witness, I do believe you unfortunately correct! What ever happened to CLASS? Guess it IS Gone With the Wind! 😉
In this case the owner doesn’t make the car. A unique Lincoln roadster, maybe, but not an off the line Mercury that millions of other folks bought at the same time. Neat old car but not 100K neat. 10K maybe.
To me,that is just a “Cool Fact” to talk about,
if you bought a car like this.All that money could
be used for better purposes than inflating the sellers
bank account or ego.
That extra money could be going to Homeless Vets, or the needs of WWll Vets still remaining.
Huh? How much do you donate to these causes monthly or weekly?
Sorry to me its just a old mercury , ok so it belonged to a famous person who died before I was even a gleam in my mothers eyes. Fixing it and driving it down the street nobody will know its history I don’t see celebrity owned as a reason to make it worth more its a $2,000 dollar car at best
“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”
You beat me to my reply!
Why Captain Steve, how you do go on! Have you seen Prissy or Aunt Pittipat? The Yankees are a comin! And I’m about to have a Hissy Fit! But after all, Tomorrow is another day! As Father said, It’s the LAND! 😉
If it was kept in Pristine condirion, driven, maintained, shared the information as time passed, maybe a few bucks in value.
I will put a value I think it’s worth, but first, why?
If you state a proper value/price, and the owner says, it’s yours. I think your mouth should not back out and you now own it.
The value guide quotes here are so far apart, it’s hilarious.
O K, now for my value: ZERO, because I am not interested in a vehicle that has zero public background, and pictures of its owner with said vehicle.
Next car?
If this was 1940? This car would be desirable. I’d wager that no one under the age of 60, knows who Margaret Mitchell is, or what she wrote. Now? It an old, beat, Mercury, with a ton of work needed. $4000, tops.
There are still GWtW fanatics out there who might cough up big bucks for an old beater, so I’d absolutely start big before I got more realistic. That said, for a big asking price I’d like to see more car photos and less trivia.
The seller actually thinks he’s gonna cut a fat hog. Sorry to see him disappoint himself, but that’s how financial fantasies without basis work! It doesn’t matter if Margaret Mitchell owned the car; in the state it’s in, I see $1000. TOPS. And it’s not even particularly rare, being Mercury’s highest selling model in 1940. Watch….it’ll turn out that she never owned the car, her gardener did (eye roll)
Clean it up after purchasing it at a more reasonable price, and put it in a Georgia museum connected to the movie.
I wouldn’t think a museum would want it. It has nothing to do with her writing or the book. Just another item she owned. As important as her toothbrush.
That’s a huge premium for a celebrity connection. I would question the price even if it were mint.
I’m 71, Margaret who.
I’m 71 and knew who Mitchell was. Gone With The Wind was quite the movie.
Yes, a great movie. First movie I had ever been to (yeah saw it in a theater) that had an intermission.
What a weak ad. Only three photos of it, no interior or engine bay, but a gazillion photos of film propaganda. Give me a break.
What ever shall I do if this car is actually Gone With the Wind? I’ll think about it tomorrow at TARA, perhaps in a Teraplane! 😉 If you understand that, you are probably the same Vintage as this classic Rolls Canardly, ROLL ing down one hill and Canardly get up the next!
Nice old merc looks to need thousands in restoration work. I agree with others the connection to Margret Mitchell adds no significant value as there is no definite chain of ownership. Even if there was I feel that connection would only increase the value a very small amount. It is still worthy of restoring. I hope someone gets it at a reasonable price and restores it and enjoys it for many years to come. These mercury’s need to be saved since they don’t make them anymore. GLWTS
More interested in the Buick or Olds parked in front of it.Too bad that’s all we can see.
Sad to say, but the car that ran her own and killed her probably has more historical value.
I would gladly take $100K to “buy” this car.
Yep, as in you give me 100k to buy it and I’ll give you 10k for the car. win-win. Winner winner, chicken dinner.
Does $100,000 weigh more than an air hose or a garden hose when lifted off the ground?
Maybe Ted Turner would be interested. After all, he bought the entire MGM film library so he could acquire ownership of his favorite movie – Gone with the Wind.
The ad says it sports it’s original interior. Is that seat upholstery really original because it sure doesn’t match anything else or look right?
Also, as for “Fast Forward 73 Years. It Still Sits Tucked Away High and Dry in A Georgia Barn.” Looks pretty rusty for storage that was “high and dry”.
Provenance has always been a fickle thing. The piano at which a musician plinked out a memorable song, or the easel upon which a famous artist plied his/her trade – are tools of the trade. Would their cars be worth more because of their owner’s occupation?
Would a vehicle of this vintage supposedly owned by any other author (Pulitzer-winning or not) demand that kind of value? Perhaps a Hemingway vehicle (fishing boat??), or … No disrepesct intended to Ms. Mitchell. This is a car, not an original manuscript.
Authors of that era likely owned cars. Doesn’t make the car worth any more than any other car of that era imho.
Restored and running, this Merc would be a nice car to have at $10-15k. Just my $.02/worth.
I’m interested in the CARS, not their previous owners. Does it, or will it drive any differently because Margaret What’s-her-name owned it? At my pay-grade, I’m strictly a bottom-feeder in the old-car hobby. ‘Can’t afford to pay premiums for interesting provenance.
Methinks the seller is looking for one good offer, which will help justify the donation of the vehicle to a 501(c)3 for a tax deduction at market value.
Hey Hagerty, chime in here with a comment and a quote without an in person value, as is, where is, and is not in person, as is.
I iz done.
I own a 1948 Merc two door coup, fully restored and mostly original. It was once owned by someone that saved lives and is an unsung hero. That would be my late father. If provenance truly adds value… then to me, my Merc is priceless. With that in mind, if the current owner of this 1940 is a close and direct descendent of Ms. Mitchel, their stated provenance value may seem reasonable to them. But to most folks, this Mercs’ value would appear to be better priced at 3 to 4K. Just saying.
Most Gone with the Wind serious collectors have died out, so all that’s really left of value is a tired Mercury sedan that’s not worth that much, given it’s present condition, IMO. Seller is trying to come up with an angle to cash in on something that’s just not there anymore. Maybe the Fox or another Museum in Atlanta is interested.
“As God is my witness, I’ll never overpay for a car again”
OK it’s a 1940 Mercury. In no known universe is it worth 100k. With provence maybe 3k
Surely this is a typo and the seller meant $10,000, which is several thousand too much anyway. Out of boredom, during the summer of 1968, I read the novel and was as unimpressed with the book as I am with this 4 door sedan. It belongs in a demolition derby.
Dang….how do they get that barn wood to look so good ?
I’m 70, knew the name was familiar but couldn’t place it. Love that movie and watch it often.
The car itself? It looks nice, nothing special. $2000 tops, but, unfortunately he will sell it to a bozo who didn’t do the reserch, knows nothing about classic cars and loves the movie and the Hollywood connection. Fiddle de de
Tear down those Portiers, we’re going to see that carriage! I don’t know nuthin bout buyin no Mercurys, but as God is my witness, I will never have to walk again!
I could picture Miss Scarlet as I read your note.
I’m from the Atlanta area, so I definitely know who Margeret Mitchell was, but even if she owned it, it doesn’t make it worth the kind of crazy money he’s asking. The 1940 Mercury 4 dr itself is made worth $2000-$3500 on a good day. Maybe he can donate it to the Margeret Mitchell museum and write that amt off in taxes.
Why Captain Steve, how you do go on! Have you seen Prissy or Aunt Pittipat? The Yankees are a comin! And I’m about to have a Hissy Fit! But after all, Tomorrow is another day! As Father said, It’s the LAND! 😉