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Parked Since 1981: 1952 Mercury M1 Barn Find

Occasionally we come across cool finds that just have me wondering how they could stay in a barn for so long! In this case we have a rare Canadian pickup (yes, I know we posted one less than a week ago, but they are rare): a 1952 Mercury M1 short bed. I’m guessing this is an “as found” picture of the Mercury. The seller tells us the keys were still in the ignition when the truck was “found. The truck is located in Shelby, Montana and listed here on eBay. We’ve had some nice vintage trucks come up lately, be sure and let us know in the comment section which one you like best!

As frequent Barn Finds readers know, the Mercury trucks were only sold in Canada due to dealer contracts. Looking at the body description, the Mercury is said to have “very good” floorboards with only a little rust in the front fenders “where they usually rust.” We’ve seen listings from this seller before and they usually include great pictures; this is no exception.

All paint is original according to the seller. If that’s true, I can’t see that any bodywork has been done to this truck. Honestly, there aren’t many dents either. One of the things I find interesting about this particular example is the stenciling on the side. If you look closely at this picture it appears that there was another stenciling at one point that was removed.

As the seller notes, the Mercury tailgate is present and fairly solid. I’m sure the bed floor is largely non-existent, but I found a nice and relatively inexpensive red oak kit for sale here.

The interior is as you would expect. Would a blanket be appropriate here, or would you fully restore the truck?

While the engine is seized, it does appear complete. I’m sure given enough TLC this truck can purr again–what do you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar Blueprint

    I saw « M1 barn find » and clicked before « Mercury » registred. Dealer contracts are also the reason you’ll find more older GMC trucks up here in Great White North.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Jimmy

    Nice Find, love these old trucks and this one is nice. Up to $4,550 with no reserve and a little over 3 days left.

    Like 2
    • Avatar kerry cooper

      The listing is gone couldn’t even find it in completed auctions.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar geomechs Member

    Nice unit. Should have the 255 engine in it, although it could have a 239, which was available as a delete option. Mercury had a number of edges over its Ford siblings; one of those was the 255 engine. You had to go up to the tonner to get the larger engine in the Ford….

    Like 5
  4. Avatar RoughDiamond

    That is a sweet original ’52 Mercury M1 truck. I love the side profile. Whatever that other truck was parked beside it in storage is not the “other” vehicle the Seller has listed.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    I love the opening photo with the guitar in the bed. Just add a cute brunette holding a beer, and you’ve got my 4 favorite things….trucks, guitars, beer, and girls.

    Like 9
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      That’s like my favorite version of LGBT: Liquor, Guns, Bacon and T!#$…..

      Like 1
  6. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Tailgate is made of unobtanium. Wish he gave some info about the mill. sweet truck, fix the mechanicals and drive. I have an allergy to rust so I might DA the surface rust off the body and black primer the spots to keep the rust from diggin’ in. Beautiful work of automotive art whats not to Love. Eh!

    Good luck to the new owner, rare and beautiful in all ways.

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Uncle Bob

    That radio block off plate probably ain’t an easy find either.
    Except for the nasty holes that would be left from removing those lollypop signals on each of the fenders this body looks to be in very good shape all things considered. Cab corners look very nice, especially unexpected given the rust in the lower fenders……bonus.
    Some reasonably strong bidding considering how far from the end we are right now, but the combination of condition and uniqueness commands it.

    Like 3
    • Avatar KKW

      You can buy new radio block off plates all day long, available in most vintage Ford truck parts catalogs.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Uncle Bob

        Please provide a link, I’ve only seen one’s that are blank or say FORD.

        Like 2
    • Avatar Joe Haska

      Uncle Bob, I thought you knew it all, I always agree with you comments. All Ford trucks in Canada used the marque of Mercury. There could of been blanks, but all the F=1’s and F-100’s I saw and can remember were embossed on the tail gate as Mercury, and that was about the only difference that stood out!

      Like 0
      • Avatar Uncle Bob

        Thanks Joe, my bride would be happy to straighten you out on the “know it all…..”, LOL

        I was referencing the radio plate (pic from the ebay ad), still waiting for the “buy ’em all day long” link. Yes, tailgate stamped Mercury was common to all I’ve seen as well as name on nose, M1 on hood spear, and Mercury horn button.

        Even after all these years though there’s still stuff to learn, that’s what keeps it fun.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Joe Haska

      Uncle Bob, I am not a techie, so I was surprised when I got a reply from you. I have posted comments and never see them and then sometimes they pop up. I thought maybe I am being edited, which is not a bad Idea ,when it comes to early Fords and Hot Rods, I am a very opinionated 75 yr. old Geezer. However once, I started reading your comments, I thought , no worries Joe, Uncle Bob will set them straight. Thanks for saving me the time, now I can relax, and not worry about fixing stupid

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Joe Haska

    I should just always say “Ditto” to whatever Uncle Bob says. Great minds think alike or maybe its just ,old guys that grew up on old Fords and Hot Rods?

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Joe Haska

    I won’t comment anymore as long as Uncle Bob does. I will just say “Ditto”. Great minds think alike, or maybe its old guys, who loved early Fords and Hot Rods are of the same mind set!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Uncle Bob

      Don’t stop posting bud, there’s plenty to go around…………us geezers will just tag team ’em……………..

      BTW, truck sold for just over $9100, good money for the seller.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Joe Haska

    Uncle Bob, I am surprised you should know this, all Ford trucks in Canada had the Marque as Mercury, the most prevalent indication stamped on the tailgate. Maybe some were blank, I know all the F-1’s and F-100’s I have seen said Mercury.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Mike

    2 days left…$7145. I cruise this, just the way it is…

    Like 0

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