To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Guyton
Collection event, 4 - 5 May 2019.
Estimate:
$80,000 - $100,000
- One of Mr. Guyton's favorite drivers
- Three-speed transmission with overdrive
- Ready to show, drive, and enjoy
History is ironic. This car's design, the last by the talented E.T.
"Bob" Gregorie for Ford Motor Company, was intended to be the 1949
Ford. During the development process, however, Ford's new post-war
management argued for a lighter, all-new Ford, and the result was
the slab-sided "shoe box" of George Walker. The rejected Gregorie
car became the 1949 Mercury instead. Introduced on 29 April 1948,
it was among the first of the all-new post-war styles to appear,
leading the shoe box Ford by more than a month.
For 1950, Mercury received a few trim revisions and a new
dashboard. The following year the line was given a more
Lincolnesque appearance by lengthening the rear fenders and giving
the grille wrap-around edges. The horsepower of the 255-cu. in.
flathead V-8 was boosted by a notch to 112 bhp.
This 1951 Mercury convertible coupe was purchased from a Canadian
owner in 2011. Built at Ford Motor's Metuchen, New Jersey, plant,
it is one of 6,759 convertibles produced that year. Beautifully
restored in a royal blue that is very close to Mercury's Admiral
Blue, it is equipped with radio, heater, power windows, dual
spotlights, rear fender skirts, and a front bumper over-rider.
Wide-whitewall tires are mounted on red wheels with full wheel
covers. Body contours are correct and panel fit is good. The tan
canvas convertible top is in good condition. The interior matches
the blue of the body, even to the carpet on the floor, with tan
seat cushions matching the door accents. Mileage showing is not
quite 9,500, and believed to be since restoration. The engine
compartment is clean and correctly detailed, with the exception of
a few fasteners and some of the wiring.
One of Mr. Guyton's favorite collection cars, it was driven
frequently. With overdrive fitted to the three-speed manual
transmission, it can easily cruise on all highways and is surely a
delight to drive.To view this car and others currently consigned to
this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/gc19.
