Vehicle Description
Unique classic cars like this 1951 Mercury Woody Wagon are not only
incredibly attractive, but they're fun and practical as well, and
they represent some of the best automotive designs America ever
created. As the '40s turned to the '50s, we were treated to
excellent ventures of steel meeting metal, but with more emphasis
on placed on productions costs, longevity, and frankly heightened
concerns for driver's safety, Woody Wagons weren't long for this
world. Times were changing, wood was declining while steel was
booming, and the writing was on the wall for the wood-bodied wagon
in the '50s, and cars like this particular 1951 Mercury Eight
represented the very last year offered. Restored back-to-stock with
a 239 Flathead V8, period-correct colors, real wood, and a
comfortable interior, this 2-door Merc Waggy is a gorgeous piece of
history on wheels.
Of the 3,812 wood-bodied Mercuries built in 1951, only a select few
still exist, and Mercs in particular seem to remain popular with
Woody enthusiasts. And we have to admit, not many can boast the
kind of jaw-dropping curb appeal this beauty possesses. The
Mercuries shared bodies with the Lincoln, not Ford, so they were
widely considered to be the better-driving, better-handling, and
all-around higher-end version of the Woody wagons. A sporty 2-door
wagon seemed like a crazy idea at first, but many Americans
preferred the styling over the bulkier 4-door designs, and that
bold engineering decision would later be reused in the iconic
Chevrolet Nomad. With beautifully restored wood paneling (and yes,
that's all real wood) that could easily pass for original, this
Woody looks the part, and the lightly varnished wood really pops
out next to the period perfect Light Blue paint. Fit and finish are
top driver-quality throughout, not so nice that this Woody belongs
in a museum, but rather finished to a level that will have you
yearning to take the family out for ice cream in it every weekend.
You'll also note that this was a fairly expensive vehicle by 1951
standards, and it included a lot of ornate and bright stainless
trim, shiny oversized bumpers, and that commanding front grille
that all glisten on tis gorgeous classic. There's a continental
kit-style mounted spare-tire cover out back, attached to the
drop-down tailgate that's a huge plus over some of the swing-away
options that came in later station wagons. Everywhere you look, you
can see that the builders got the details right, and the results
speak for themselves.
The beautiful blue vinyl interior is quite neatly trimmed in the
original style, instantly transporting all passengers back to 1951.
Seating surfaces are plain and simple, but that means they're
durable and easy to maintain. Plush blue carpets on the floors are
joined by some heavy-duty rubber mats to seal up the cabin from the
outside world, and it does offer true 8-passenger seating with
3-rows of seating that include a full rear bench. Front windows
wind up and down in the conventional style but rear passengers get
sliding-window panes, which is kind of neat, while the door panels
have been dressed-up with dark wood paneling that really warms
things up a bit. The light blue dashboard is pretty much the same
as any other Mercury 8, with attractive factory gauges housed
inside a lovely chrome bezel, an original AM radio in the center,
and giant dual-ring steering wheel with a black rim and lots of
chrome heading up the command center. Even with the 3 rows in
place, there's plenty of storage room out back that's been carpeted
and finished to match the rest of the wagon.
It would be a mistake to underestimate Ford's rugged, Flathead 239
cubic inch powerplant. It fires up almost instantly, idles smoothly
with a great mechanical whir, and thanks to a smooth-shifting
'3-on-the-tree' manual transmission and relatively tall gears in
the rear end, it's quite peppy around town. While not detailed for
show, the engine compartment is tidy and clean, and shows signs of
regular maintenance and care including an upgraded 12-Volt system
and distributor, along with a freshened 2-barrel carburetor and
chrome air breather. The three-speed manual transmission slips
through the gears easily once you've familiarized yourself with the
column-mounted shifter's operation and the gears keep the V8 in its
sweet spot. Even with 12-volts it feels quite authentic thanks to
stock components like the big generator, and with that giant
radiator up front, you don't have to worry about overheating.
There's a newer dual exhausts system below as well, improving the
soundtrack without sounding obnoxious. Finishing the look are those
gorgeous paint-matche steelies adorned with chrome hubcaps and
wrapped in thick, whitewall Coker tires at all four corners.
Representing the end of the line for the mighty Woody, this neat
little wagon is a delight to drive and will always be the star
everywhere it goes. Call today!
