Handsome older restoration with a few upgrades. 239 flathead V8 with Offenhauser aluminum heads and twin carb intake. 12-volt conversion, AM/FM/CD stereo, leather interior. Clean, solid, and fun!
That bright green paint wasn’t on the color chart for 1947, but it doesn’t look wrong on the curvy Mercury bodywork, either. There’s a hint of metallic in the final finish and it just glows out in the sunlight, making this car impossible to miss. Underneath, however, none of the factory bodywork was altered, all the original chrome and stainless trim was retained, and it still looks like a car from 1947 is supposed to look. Although it looks very much like the post-war Fords, the Mercury sits on a 4-inch longer wheelbase and none of the body panels are interchangeable—in the flesh, the Merc looks quite a bit more substantial. During the comprehensive restoration, all that brightwork was restored, including the bumpers, which feature rare (and very expensive) bumper ends that really dress the car up nicely. Other accessories include fog lights, a spotlight on the driver’s A-pillar, and a set of aftermarket blue dot headlights that light up the road like flamethrowers at night. Workmanship is quite good, with straight bodywork, good fit and finish, and an overall feeling that the car is well-assembled and durable.
The two-tone interior was freshened using soft leather instead of the original vinyl, and it makes a difference from the moment you slide behind the wheel. Matching door panels in the original style were created at the same time and there are fresh carpets and mats on the floor, all bound to look like they were born there. The dash was obviously repainted to match the bodywork and retains its original plastic moldings and original gauges, all of which are operational, and there’s an AM/FM/CD stereo in the dash. Overhead there’s a beautifully made canvas convertible top, and it folds easily with a touch of a knob under the dash then stashes under a matching vinyl boot. The trunk is trimmed to match the interior, with new bulkheads and carpets, as well as a matching full-sized spare tire that’s never been used and a remote CD changer. Nice!
Mercurys received the same bulletproof 239 cubic inch flathead V8 used in other post-war Fords, and there’s really no better choice for fun in an old car. This one has been fully rebuilt using a stock bottom end and a few period performance upgrades, including Offenhauser aluminum heads and a matching intake with twin Stromberg 97s on top. The 12-volt electrical system means an electronic ignition system is part of the deal, as well as a big chrome alternator on top that looks like a vintage generator. Hit the starter button and the well-tuned flatty barks to life easily and idles with a bubbly idle that suggests the Merc wants to go out and play. There’s plenty of horsepower on tap, and the experience isn’t all that far removed from a stock flathead, making this convertible feel suitably vintage without being a sitting duck in traffic. It’ll cruise happily at 60 MPH all day and makes all kinds of great sounds while it’s doing it.
Underneath, the chassis and floors are in excellent condition with no signs that it was ever a rusty car. The stock 3-speed manual shifts well and the original rear end features 3.55 gears for decent cruising under all conditions. The suspension is completely stock, right down to the correct gaiters on the transverse leaf springs and stock drum brakes all around are plenty effective for the car’s performance. Dual exhaust with Smitty mufflers sounds like it’s 1954 all over again and it has the kind of springy, eager handling that makes all flathead Fords (and Mercurys!) a delight to drive. The floors are in great shape with nothing to hide, the lines and hoses were all replaced during the restoration, and there’s a new gas tank hanging out back. Factory 16-inch wheels carry Mercury hubcaps and trim rings, as well as correct 6.70-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires.
This Merc also includes a LOT of extras, including a set of restored fender skirts that are ready to install, a complete set of books and manuals, wiring diagrams, parts lists, and a lot of spare parts such as trim pieces, the original radio, mechanical fuel pump, gauges, original air cleaner, hubcaps, a spare transmission, the original intake manifold and generator, and much more!
I remain convinced that Ford flatheads remain the single best all-around hobby car you can own. They’re affordable, they’re fun, they’re competent, parts are plentiful, and all their “problems” have been ironed out over the last 70 years. They feel and drive like old cars, which is the point after all, but they don’t feel archaic. This Mercury is a much rarer piece than most and the fact that it’s been upgraded to look like it might have in the 1950s is a great piece of nostalgia that changes nothing about the car’s charm. Get in and go, the fun is standard equipment. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
