Hiding in this shed is a wonderful classic, offering endless possibilities. The seller states that this 1951 Mercury Eight Convertible is a genuine barn find. They performed a mechanical refresh, returning it to a roadworthy state after years in hibernation. Its needs are purely cosmetic, but the new owner can enjoy the Mercury immediately while contemplating its future. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Convertible listed here on Craigslist in Hayden, Idaho, with an asking price of $20,500.
The 1949 model year was significant for Mercury’s Eight. The company introduced its Third Generation, adopting “pontoon” styling for a more modern look than its predecessor. This Generation remained on sale until 1951, with our featured Convertible rolling off the line that year. The seller indicates it is a genuine barn find, though it is unclear for how long it had hibernated. Its Vassar Yellow paint has an impressive selection of chips and scratches, with some developing surface corrosion. However, what I can’t spot is evidence of penetrating rust in the limited listing images. The seller doesn’t mention problems, and if the Mercury is as solid as it seems, it could be a winner. The trim is intact, but some pieces require restoration. Whether the buyer preserves or refreshes this classic, they will need to source a replacement soft-top. The glass looks quite nice, and the whitewall tires perfectly suit this car’s character.
The seller provides only one interior image and no engine bay shots, but the listing includes plenty of crucial information. They say the interior is rough and desperately needs a complete retrim. However, it is serviceable, and with the car in sound mechanical health, it could remain untouched, at least in the short-term. One tempting idea is to leave the Mercury’s exterior as-is and restore the interior to its former glory. The contrast would be striking, and would certainly turn heads wherever this car went. Under the hood, the car features a 255ci flathead V8 paired with the new-for-1951 three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission. The flathead was a reasonable performer, with that year’s Sales Brochure quoting power and torque figures of 112hp and 206 ft/lbs. The seller’s mechanical revival has been thorough, rebuilding the V8 and transmission, and replacing the fuel tank and brakes. The work transformed the Convertible from a barn find into a genuine driver, ready for action with its new owner behind the wheel.
The new owner has a few options for this 1951 Mercury Eight Convertible. One option is to refresh the interior while preserving the exterior as a survivor. However, it would look stunning if restored to its factory form. The Eight was also a mainstay of the “lead sled” custom scene, and this Convertible would be a prime candidate for that approach. I probably wouldn’t take that path as a buyer, but I’m still unsure whether I would preserve or restore this classic. What do you think?
I would restore it to a good, serviceable condition by re painting it to it’s original colour and replacing the interior and hood. New wide whites, and away we go!