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Ordered and owned by the governor of Mexican State of Michoac�n de
Ocampo
Complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration
Show winner at the multiple shows in Mexico
Includes original 1947 79M owner's manual
In the 1930s and 1940s, few cars had more prestige than the Mercury
Woodie station wagon. The highest priced model in the Ford line, it
carried as much status as a Chris-Craft speedboat. Hotels, resorts,
country clubs, stables, and movie studios sought after woodies to
project a sense of class and sophistication. In 1947, the
eight-passenger station wagon was the most expensive model in the
Mercury lineup, selling for $2,207.
In total, there were a mere 3,558 examples produced, as compared to
16,104 Ford wagons that year. The timber was mostly maple and ash
framing with mahogany panels, all grown from Ford's forests, then
harvested, dried and aged at Iron Mountain. Skill craftsmen
hand-built, assembled and trimmed each Woodie body, a process that
was complex and expensive to build.
In 1947 Jose Mar�a Mendoza Pardo, then the governor of Mexican
State of Michoac�n de Ocampo, sought to be associated with the high
end lifestyle of the Woodie. He special ordered the Mercury
directly from Ford and had it shipped to him in Mexico. Purchased
with government money the car was licensed as a government vehicle
and plated as such. In 1949 due to some political unrest in the
region Mendoza abandoned the vehicle with relatives, never to
return.
Fast forward to 1994 in San Luis, Mexico. The Mercury is presented
as a trade for a 1959 Mercedes 220. The new owner saw the potential
of the old Woodie and set about a complete restoration that would
cover the next 13 years. Why would a restoration take 13 years? The
owner wanted the car to be as original and correct as possible.
Vintage period parts were sourced, including correct upholstery and
roof top materials. The original glass of the car was kept in great
condition, and it is currently displaying the original Mexican
government registration stickers that were assigned to the car in
the 50s and 60s.
The original wood framing of the car was retained and restored. The
remaining panels were hand crafted by furniture restoration
specialists who still possessed the skills and knowledge to shape
fresh maple. Even the correct, original paint color and type was
used in finishing the car. The final step was to establish the
history of the car, and to answer the question of why such are rare
American car was in Mexico in the first place. El Museo del
Automovil in Mexico City was contacted who, after an exhaustive
search, discovered the fascinating origins of the Mercury.
Once completed the Mercury was entered into a variety of high-level
Mexican car shows where it either won overall or placed in
category. At the prestigious Concurso de Elegancia Huixquilucan in
2009 it was selected for the Hall of Excellence out of 450 cars
from around the country.
The Mercury returned to the U.S. and was sold by the second owner
in 2011, arriving at Canepa for the first time. With only 47,000
original Kilometers (29,204 Miles) the Mercury was put under the
Canepa Difference, where a total of $49,181 were invested to bring
the car to the American standard of concours condition and
mechanical reliability. $15,000 was spent in chrome plating and
polished stainless-steel trim restoration. The Mercury was
mechanically serviced from bumper to bumper - tune up, brake
service, engine seals, gaskets, new tires, coolant system service,
fuel lines/fuel filter, and all fluids changed. The Mercury was
sold in 2017, to a Bay Area enthusiast who enjoyed the car until
2021.
As with all things time moves on and tastes change, but true icons
are constantly reborn. The Woodie took on a new life in the 1960s
and 1970s as it became synonymous with California, surf music, and
bikinis. What was once viewed as the stately realm of the country
squire was now the home of the pioneers of modern surf culture. 70
years on and the Woodie continues in the spotlight as a
sought-after classic car that has both investment potential and
useful practicality.
