The 1949 Mercury was the first new car from that company following the end of World War II, and an effort was made to differentiate the Mercury from its Ford cousins. In 1950, the car underwent some minor styling changes, the most noticeable of these being to the dash. The owner of this 1950 Mercury has gotten the car up and running, and says that there is very little to do before the car is ready to hit the road again. Located in Ontario, California, it is listed for sale here on eBay.
While the Mercury looks to be fairly straight and rust-free, it isn’t wearing its original paint color. The yellow paint was applied in the 1970s, and is peeling in a few places, and looks quite shabby. You can see the original green paint in plenty of places on the car. The fender skirts are present, although there are a few external trim pieces that are missing. The soft-top has a tear, and the rear window is also missing.
Under the hood is the 255ci flat-head V8 engine, which produces 110hp. This is hooked to a 3-speed manual transmission, although it is unclear whether it is fitted with the optional electric overdrive. The original air cleaner appears to be missing, but the good news is that the car starts, runs, drives, and thanks to all new brakes, it stops as well. The electrical system has been upgraded to 12-volts, with the wiring being replaced with new, cloth-style wiring.
The interior is complete, but there are aspects of it that do look tired. The front seat has received a new cover at some point, and also doesn’t appear to be the optional power seat. The car is fitted with power windows, which were standard on the 1950 Convertible. The chrome trim on the dash is quite pitted, and this is unfortunate. For the 1950 model year, Mercury undertook a major restyle in this area, and included a lot of chrome on the dash. There’s no doubt that the car could be used as it is, but such an attractive car really deserves to have a nice interior.
If this Mercury is as solid and complete as it appears to be, then it is a worthwhile car to restore. Values on these are holding up very well, with pristine examples of the Convertible selling consistently for figures in excess of $60,000, although $80,000 is not uncommon. The owner has set a BIN price of $35,000 for the Mercury, with the option to make an offer. At that price, it certainly leaves some room to undertake a restoration, and still finish up ahead financially.
What’s not to like. It’s an automotive icon that deserves stretching it’s wings on the highway, where it belongs.
This thing is SWEET regardless how it’s looking now! I love those ’49-51 Mercs and somebody is going to get a nice ride.
As I mentioned on that Pontiac about two weeks ago, the pale yellow was THE lightest shade available on a car from the 1930’s to the early 1950’s. FoMoCo didn’t release a white shade until 1954 or 1955. Please correct me if you know the exact year. From a glance, it does indeed look white, and the combo/slightly clashing red interior was livable with someone who wanted a pale car in 1950.
A thing of beauty. So beautiful. The fact that its still sporting the 50’s Earl Scheib paint job would make me gussy it up a little and drive. Set of smitty Mufflers, Cruising at Highway speed would be a religious experience. Good luck to the new owner.
Cheers
GPC
You know, when you look at the overall condition of the Merc, it’s what a lot of cars I ( and assume we) once came across frequently. Used, somewhat dingy,not particularly maintained well, and I would salivate at the prospect of all the things I could do to make it look like it once did. I love the duct tape patches on the original passenger door.
Whatever you paid for it once, it was a pittance in the overall scheme of things. But now, you’re faced with 35 large to be in the same place you would have been once, not too long ago, in dinosaur time.
Despite what I would consider the iconic status in the car world a ’49-’51 has, does anyone else think this is a stiff price to pay for basically a used car that has been repainted in a different color and that needs a complete tear down to restore it to original?
I see people that parked a car 25 years a go, didn’t care what happened to it, then take a couple of pictures and ask a fortune.
The car was worth nothing to them for 25 years and they show that it is still not worth an ounce of their time or effort to get it out and at least wash it, but now they think it is worth tens of thousands of dollars.
I tend to stay away from cars like that.
If I am going to spend, what still seems like, big bucks, I want a car that is on the road and driving. At least I know the owner has put some time into keeping it in running condition.
Love it, and having the 12v conversion and power windows already done, nice.
Iconic cars like this deserve to live again . Not sure how that green looked but that pale yellow with a beige top would be a beautiful color combo kind of reminds me of the 52 or the 53 Mercury convertible that Lucy and Desi we’re driving in the Long Long Long Trailer that was one gorgeous Merc when I was younger and in school I drove a 53 Mercury Monterey 2 door coupe and of all the cars I’ve owned and there have been many in excess of 50 I think you’re favorite cars many times are your first cars and that was my first
My Dad had a ’51 convertible that did not have power windows, so I question that the ’50 had them as a stock item.
Miguel, you are absolutely right. it’s this kind of nonsense that has ruined this hobby for the average guy. it’s become a venue for the very well off financially. a wise man told me once “Only in America”
Not many survived…..think this is a buy !
The ‘49 thru ‘51 Merc’ 2 door sedans and ragtops are certainly holding their value. My dad had two prime examples back in the early sixties, both were rock solid 2 door sedans and of course back then, the bath tub Merc’s hadn’t been elevated to “classic” status yet and there were plenty to go around so they could be picked up for a song. Nowadays, even the 4 door Merc’s of this era are desired but still out of reach for most of us…they were and still are some of the best of the best. I believe that’s an “overdrive” cable pull handle under the dash and to the right of the steering column.
Not like Fords
But for this I make an exception
I can’t even recall the last time I saw a ‘vert 1950 Merc, and I have a very good memory. While I respect the rodders who mod these out like crazy, I am happy to see one that hasn’t been chopped, channeled, dropped, etc. What a beaut.
i have 2 1950 merc a convert and a chopped and sectioned coupe i have the original bill of sale on the convert 2,800.00 with fender skirts and 3 speed od trans lagoon blue with tan top, the coupe is chopped 3 0ut of top and sectioned 4 thru the middle at 79 of age i still love them both
Hello Spencer
I have a 50 convertible , What part of the woods you located . I’m in central Ca,I would like to chat . Thanks Brian 661-seven 0 three-3244