For Sale: 1947 Mercury Series 79M in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1947 Mercury Series 79M Coupe

"You'll see plenty of new features in the '47 Mercury! Features that add still more to the handsome, roomy Mercury appearance! There's a new, chrome plated radiator grille frame, and new hub caps, and new rear deck trim, to name a few. Bumper to bumper, Mercury's more beautiful than ever!" From the 1947 sales brochure in which the coupe is referred to as a compact car.

For consignment, a 1947 Mercury Series 79M coupe showing 17,227 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This street rodded version of a once compact car now emits big energy with a V8 under the hood and dual exhaust emerging out back.

Exterior
Regardless of what's under the hood, Mercury's designers in this era clearly got things right with a recognizable form that includes an enormous chrome bumper in front of a grille more akin to whale baleens than any of the ornate configurations of the time, and as a result, its unique and attractive. From the side, the trim almost appears as racing stripes with double side molding tracking over the fenders and a spear that helps define the shoulder line. The tail end is a handsome one with horizontal trim that meets rectangular tail lights, another big bumper, and dual oval exhaust with chrome tips underneath. This car hunkers down over 15-inch polished American Racing Torque Thrust wheels and staggered size tires. Imperfections include scratches, bubbles, chipped paint, and water marks on the wheels.

Interior
Saddle leather door panels are handsomely designed with polished trim and tight weave carpeted lowers and are immediately inviting, so much so, we almost missed the electric window switches. Saddle also covers the bucket seats and the driver's shows some love with compression and some hanging edges underneath. The back is tight and clean with some wear on the passenger side. A Flaming River steering wheel, tan with burlwood accenting and on a polished column, fronts an original dash that combines black and white with gold faced and offset instrumentation, including a clock on the right. Additional in the center include an AM/FM/CD/AUX/USB radio over a Vintage Air unit and gold rimmed temp gauge. A wood topped center console has been added and the ever important cup holders are included, sandwiched between clean camel carpet and intact headliner.

Drivetrain
Some polished and chromed components dress up the 350ci V8 under the hood, topped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and mated to a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the 10 bolt rear. The car runs on a 12 volt system and has power steering and power brakes.

Undercarriage
Clean underneath with minimal surface rust, a few drops of oil about, and clear knuckles. The chrome flywheel and differential covers are a nice touch and the dual exhaust flows through Turbo mufflers before finding its way to stainless tips out back. Brakes are split between power disc in front and power drums in back and suspension has been upgraded to a Mustang II front end while retaining leaf springs in the back.

Drive-Ability
We go from 1947 to sometime later with this updated interior and crank the 350 to life, evidenced by the healthy exhaust note out back. The lowered stance creates decent handling and there's plenty of power on tap on the test loop, while a third brake light is visible in the rear view mirror that reflects the oval window. All functions on this well sorted Merc operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

We don't disparage Chevy and Ford lovers, but there's something utterly unique and cool about a classic Mercury, and this car checks all the boxes. This was Mercury's "small car" in 1947 but is big by today's standards, affords occupants plenty of room for a comfortable ride to the next car show! And we still encourage you to measure your garage before calling.

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!