Before complaining about the clear-coated patina on this Merc’, note the soap bubbles; this shine is purely from water! The 1947 Mercury Sedan Coupe in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina features an original-looking flathead V8, and it runs and drives! A refreshed interior shows stock-style upholstery. It seeks a new owner here on eBay, where at least five bidders have raised the market value beyond $5000. For some time, $5000 was the going rate for a driving “old car,” with no special features or especially collectible features. Thanks to reader Larry D. for spotting this soaking wet Mercury.
The highly symmetrical Mercury dashboard just needs a nice polish to show off its metallic bits. An upholstery job may date back a while but looks tidy and comfortable compared to many we see here. The three-speed manual transmission with column shift leaves room for three up front, plus another “full-width seat” in the rear.
Other than the hood struts, shiny cooling system parts and the world’s most ridiculous air filter housing, this engine compartment could pass for having simply been kept running with OEM replacement parts. The Ford “flathead” V8 pays tribute to Henry Ford’s drive to create the world’s first low-cost, mass-produced V8, and there are still boatloads of original and aftermarket parts for them.
As a young gear head, I virtually ignored any car older than a ’57 Chevy. Now I find my mind and my eyes opening up to the different styles of earlier cars; I’ve even considered owning one from each decade. While wrenching on my friend John’s ’49 Cadillac Sedanette, I realized there’s something cool about ’40s styling if you think about it as a transition between the full-fendered cars of the ’30s and the low-slung late ’50s cruisers. I’m not sure I’d take the ’47 Mercury as my one ’40s car, but I like the belt-line trim that wraps around the back including the rectangular taillights. I could definitely drive this one how it looks today. In fact if it were perfectly restored, I’d have to pass. The world doesn’t need another perfect ’47 Mercury, and that goes for most cars. I prefer cars that still have a story to tell. Would you consider daily driving this V8-powered ’47 Merc’?
I would drive this car anytime..right after painting it to highlight the chrome trim, and cleaning the engine compartment and painting the engine. The flatheads are unique enough to look good and run good. Never was into the grunge look. Nice old car.
No question I would drive it. I have and still do drive old cars for my daily transportation. Several being Flathead Fords. I have always liked the 42 to 48 Ford and Mercury’s. I think 5 K is about right for this era Mercury and its condition. Realistically it would be a 15 K investment ,but I think a good one and a good driver.
I always thought that the postwar Mercs were nicer than thier pre war ancestors although I would be fine owning either. And then there were the drop dead gorgeous ’49-’51s
Car looks a lot better without that dumb sun visor. When I was in high school it was always the nerds that had sun visors. But yes I would drive that car but I would have to get rid of the extra bumpers, that is another nerd application gone mad and now we are back to basic lines of a beautiful car.
I love the looks of this car. Being it was born the same year as me it would be a nice present for me. Any takers? Lol
As with my ’40 DeSoto, the same with this Merc’, the visor makes both cars all the more desirable. Without it/them all you have is a blah looking car. I’m NOT a Ford lover but I DO like this car! The first thought that came to mind… ‘shine runner. I’d gladly daily drive it but, give it a cheap new paint job and a better air cleaner. As I live on a farm on a gravel road and normally drive 50-65 MPH, the paint needn’t be fancy and the existing air filter would quickly clog up. Everything else looks great. To me, it’s easily worth 10 grand.
I’d give this car a sympathetic restoration… i.e. “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke”. Get rid of the wrong profile tires, put a proper brass/copper radiator in it, fix the paint where needed, etc., and drive this gem!
I thought the 46-48 Mercuries had their own dashboard, or at least one somewhat different from the Ford. That looks purely like a Ford dash to me.