Vehicle Description
1950 Mercury Eight Sedan
Mercury is a defunct division of the U.S. automobile manufacturer
Ford Motor Company. Marketed as an entry-level premium brand for
nearly its entire existence, Mercury was created in 1938 by Edsel
Ford to bridge the price gap between the Ford and Lincoln vehicle
lines. The Mercury division got an all-new platform and body shell
for 1941, shared for the first time with the Ford passenger car
line, which was also redesigned that year. The Mercury version
sported a wheelbase of 118 inches, four inches longer than its Ford
stablemate, while the overall length was an expansive 202 inches,
creating a package that was in Pontiac/Oldsmobile territory in size
and price. Mercury was also distinguished in these years by its
larger, more powerful engine: 239ci and 95hp, compared to the
Ford's 221ci and 90hp. Naturally, this explains why the Mercury
version of the venerable flathead V8 was particularly prized by hot
rodders.
For consignment, a 1950 version of the Mercury Eight Sedan. This
50's "looker" is adorned with lots of chrome, black paint and 4
doors. It has a nicely rounded design, updated like new top pine
gray interior, and a powerful 355 V8 mill under the hood. A real
jellybean of a car in its looks, you can roll down the road in
Mercury style and class, and the exhaust gurgle will give you
away.
Exterior
With this car I need to start at the very beginning which means the
back. Yes the back, with its rounded over trunk line, rounded rear
quarters on either side, and curved around lower chrome bumper.
Curve around horizontal tail lights are on these fenders and these
sport large chrome bezels. A trim spear runs the length of the car
and is chromed with front and rear spear points. An elongated oval
rear glass is just above the trunk, and this frames the back of the
rounded roofline. The rear doors have a wing window in them for
extra ventilation and are surrounded in stainless trimmings. The
bulbous front quarters encroach into the front doors just a bit,
then die before the latch handles. These have round headlights in
their front partisans and work as accomplices to the wide rounded
over "aero" hood. This hood has a chromed stylized airplane hood
ornament, and an art deco inspired Mercury badge on its very front
surface. This part is floating just above the chromed shaver styled
vertical ribbed chrome grille that sport dual chromed "Dagmars" on
either side. Below is another big chrome bumper that wraps around
the front quarters. 15-inch chromed steel wheels are all around and
have moon cap centers and wide trim rings with them. These are all
wrapped in 215/75R15 rubber from the 13th week of 2010.
Interior
A swing of any of the 4 doors reveals a two tone black leatherette
upper and armrest, and a gray suede lower with chrome thin
delineating trimming. The very lower horizontal panel is in gray
carpeting. Inside, gray tuck and roll square pattern tweed is
covering the front and rear benches. These benches have some smooth
charcoal vinyl in their centers along with gray piping and
bolsters. They also have a rounded design and appear as new. The
back bench sports some squared off tweed and black vinyl stitched
armrests on either side. In the center is a plastic gray
cupholder/storage bin and a long Hurst shifter on the hump. The
lower dash remains in its original vertical chromed ribbed state,
with a gold background, however upper instrumentation has been
modernized with a behind glass single instrument cluster in black
face and white letters and pointers. The odometer is digital.
Plenty of original shaped pulls and knobs are on the vertical
ribbed lower section as well. The original black with circular
chrome horn ring steering wheel is frontingthis retro-modern dash
and it has a jet age nose chromed center with a badge. Clean gray
carpeting floods the floors, and above is a nice tight like new
headliner is above all this menagerie. All looking very new and
tight with no soiling anywhere.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is truly impressive with the new 355ci V8. It has
plenty of shiny and polished surfaces and add ons. Also aluminum
heads are on this mill. On top under the open air cleaner covering
is a single 4-barrel Edelbrock carb and a Weiand intake. On the
back is a Tremec 5-speed manual tranny that hands power off to a
Ford 9 inch rear axle. Headers are on for the easy exhale, and
Smithy mufflers give it the gurgle. Looking good under this machine
age hood.
Undercarriage
Some very light surface rust is on some surfaces but mostly black
painted straight structurally sound steel framing and stamped floor
pans. New electrics snake their way throughout the bottom and
providing the ride is independent coil springs for the front, and
leaf springs for the back. Now on power disc braking for the front
and power drums for the back. Note the rack and pinion steering is
newly installed and works like a charm.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up as expected from a mill with this "look". Off to
the test track in a flash where it cornered nicely given its
weight, and ran very smoothly with nice acceleration, bias free
braking on the panic stop test, and all functions were working just
swimmingly. The interior is just beautifully appointed in old and
new looks and functions.
A neat 50's Merc, not a lead sled, but it fits the part of an
"aero" design, and jellybean curves. Start saving gas, well maybe
not, but at least start turning heads fer sur.
5OME41426M
50-1950
ME-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
41426-Sequential Unit Number
M-Mercury
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
