This find seems to have the seller guessing a bit as to what year it is. The listing title refers to it as a ’46 but the text then references a ’46, ’47, or ’48. Further examination tells me that his first guess was his best and this is a ’46 Mercury Eight. Referenced as a barn find, this Mercury is located in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $12,500. There is a make an offer option too.
By 1946, the American automobile business was back in full swing having shut its doors to passenger car manufacturing at the beginning of 1942. As with most manufacturers, Mercury had a comprehensive lineup with two and four-door sedans, a “sedan” coupe, a convertible, and a woodie station wagon. Arriving at 10th place (86K units) in sales, Mercury’s promotional focus for ’46 was on roominess and comfort.
Unfortunately, our subject car doesn’t appear to be big on comfort these days. It looks as if someone started some disassembly, perhaps with the thought of refurbishing, or a repaint, and then stopped. What’s here is in OK shape though there is surface rust present as well as some rust-through. The seller makes mention of the garnish moldings that are present but not the ones that are absent such as the trunk lid trim and the headlight bezels and buckets. The intricate grille shows to be intact, a nice discovery, it’s just dull with age. The seller mentions that the convertible top frame is complete including the latches. Also, extra fenders are included in the sale and the seller claims, “ALL OF THE HARD TO FIND COMPONENTS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO A CONVERTIBLE ARE HERE“.
The interior is rough, to say the least. The upholstery has taken flight as have the door and side panels. There are holes in the floor and the trunk pan is just ventilated, but at a distance, the instrument panel looks pretty good. The dusty conditions are indicative of long-time, indoor storage, but the holiness tells one that this Merc has seen lots of outside time too.
Power emanates from a 100 HP, 239 CI flathead V8 engine but the seller states that he has not tried to start it. The car does roll, but there’s really no telling what kind of shape the motor/drivetrain is in. As is usually the case, a three-speed manual transmission is responsible for gearing. There is no claimed mileage listed.
It is suggested that this Mercury can be restored or rodded. My first inclination is always to restore. There are those that will suggest that back in the day cars like this Mercury were frequently hot-rodded and that’s true but that was when these cars were five to ten years old and hadn’t reached the three-quarter century mark- there is a difference. That said, I don’t feel strongly one way or the other, which direction would you choose?
Voting to restore. Given enough pieces to put back on the car you would have a car that is pretty rare.
Yes that was my first car, was 14 yrs old paid $35 dollars for it had 239 mec engine dome pistons (1947), Also have a 47 merc coup I restored from Las Vegas, in 1966 was 21 then, ( was in the Air force) there at the time, Drove it in the Basement in 1977 to do brakes ,took the front wheels off@ put it on jack stands@ it sat there till Sept 1999, Sold the house@ moved it up north (trailered) was 1 owner when I got it,Should sell it im 76 ,Maybe Ill put it on here, Have pics when I halled it out,Have tri power for it Some nos chrome@ a lot of side trim (used) Still sits on the trailer double tarped no rust, Sand blasted it@ primed with 1 coat of paint, stopped when I saw small door dings
No question for me, this would be restored. A Mercury convertible is one rare beast and I would definitely keep this one as Henry Built It. Well, maybe I might be tempted to get a little more out of that flathead but I would limit that. These were iconic and it would be a shame to do anything but give it a new life…
Keep the outside original and do a few vintage hot rod touches to the motor. When I was a wee lad a neighbor of a grandmother had one one of these in red and I have one ever since for sixty years.
Agree, restore to perfection. Love me a Mercury.
God bless America
Over priced, I’m thinking. More in the 8-10k area. I would restore it, I like that blue. Grey interior. Definitely hop up the flattie, it should go 150-180 hp and still be dependable and stockish looking
Restore and sneak in power disc brakes and try to get more horse power using age appropriate performance components.
Didn’t try to start, but has a new battery it look like.
I’ve been an owner of 46-48 Fords/Mercs, and have been recently (last few years) involved with selling my own, and a friends. My take is that the market is VERY soft. Asking price will buy a road-worthy, drivable car, if one shops carefully. I could site a really sad example, from earlier this year, where one of my best buddies spent lots of money and time/effort to restore a dearborn-quality Merc convertible, and due to age/health, had to sell it. Went to auction and got a very small fraction of what the market was, just a few years ago. My view on this one is that it is WAY over priced. And, maybe not worth any effort, unless you are one of those very dedicated folks that needs something to do.
’46-’48 Mercs are the one Ford V8 product that I think more desirable than their ’39-’42 counterparts. Exquisite front end and detailing throughout.
Why even mention the word, “Rod”? Such a rare car like this shouldn’t come close to a hot rodder.
Purists are just the worst.