Im thinking of trading for a 56 Merc wagon...school me.

[evilone0528]

A guy I know has a 1956(I think)Mercury Wagon.Its a pretty neat old car I think.It needs quite a bit but being a paint and body tech I can handle most of the stuff.The thing is....I know nothing about these cars.Tell me any thing you know about these cars......value,parts avaliability,typical problems,engine size...you know....stuff!

Thanks in advance guys!

EVIL

[1964countrysedan]

I am going to say it has a 292 which you will like; parts available.

Body trim and glass, if needed will present some challenge.

Pretty good car to work with.

[Hnstray]

Well, as for the body panels from the cowl back, and glass, I believe it is the same as a Ford wagon so parts availability is slightly better than the Merc only components of the side trim and taillights. The front sheet metal is, of course the same as a Merc sedan/hardtop. If you are lucky, the engine may be a 312 instead of the common 292.

An uncommon car and a neat find!Congrats!

Ray

[evilone0528]

How can you tell the difference between a 312 and 292?

All of the trim is there.needs a little work but there.

Some of the flat class is cracked but that shouldnt be a big problem.

The car is pretty much un molested.I didnt even see a rats nest of wire under the dash!The bigest problems I saw on the car is the floors are pretty rotten in the rear foot wells.

What do you guys think it might be worth?

[arkiehotrods]

Price Guide says, for '56 Mercury Custom wagon,

#6 car (parts car) $820
#5 car $2,480
#4 car $4,100
#3 car $9,230
#2 car $14,350
#1 car $20,500

BTW, all '56 Mercury cars came standard with the 312, horsepower choices of 210, 225, and later in the year, 235.

[evilone0528]

Originally Posted by arkiehotrods

Price Guide says, for '56 Mercury Custom wagon,

#6 car (parts car) $820
#5 car $2,480
#4 car $4,100
#3 car $9,230
#2 car $14,350
#1 car $20,500

BTW, all '56 Mercury cars came standard with the 312, horsepower choices of 210, 225, and later in the year, 235.

What do you think this one ranks?#5 maybe 4.5?

[Oldmics]

While most of the 56 Mercs did have the 312 engine,your particular car seems to have the Lincoln style "Y" block in it.

Need the data plate information to see what originally came with the car.

Looks like somebody installed the Lincoln mill in it.

Oldmics

[56premiere]

well it does have lincoln valve covers and the thermostat bypass like my 368s.it looks like they used the lincoln exhaust turn up to get the crossover.might have to do that for clearance?parts will be harder to get and more $,but if thats a56 linc.368,285 hp.57 300hp.does it have single vacuum adv. line,?57has one line,56 has 2.the valve covers are the 57 color.

[evilone0528]

does have the lincoln valve covers.I wasnt sure if someone just swaped the covers or what.BTW....whats with that cross over pipe?I couldnt see any reason for that at all.Im not sure on the vacume advance line,but ill check today.The car is just down the road from my house.

[evilone0528]

Is the Lincoln swap a good thing?

[GaryB]

alot of work,some shiney paint,would be a real nice car.good luck

[56premiere]

Well i think the lincoln is a good thing.i have a 56 premiere and a 57 capri[,both blak hardtops]that run good,i took a 150 mile run the other day thru the hills,got by on under ten gallons,so not bad on fuel.they say not much fits btween the small y blocks and 368.oil pump and dist,if i'm correct.don't know if valvecovers would fit.neet car your looking at,that would be fun.if it is a 368,prob has the lincoln trans too. good luck

[evilone0528]

The old car runs. The owner went out to the car, put it neutral,( safety switch must be out) turned it over a few time, pumped the gas a few times and it fired right up! It's got one hell of an exhaust leak. Probably from the big rusty hole in the cross over tube. Looks like its gonna need wheel cylinders, new hoses and belts, and a good going over to get it on the road.

Can that cross over tube be blocked off at the manifold? I don't see it doing much good where it's at.

[wallyringo]

your subject lines says "Im thinking of trading for a 56 Merc wagon...school me" what are you thinking of trading?

[evilone0528]

Anyone care to put a price on this thing? There's not a lot of info out there about these cars. Are they really rare or something?

[evilone0528]

Originally Posted by wallyringo

your subject lines says "Im thinking of trading for a 56 Merc wagon...school me" what are you thinking of trading?

I have a rough old 62 caddy coupe. It's a driver but not really what I'm into.

[GaryB]

you won't be seeing one everyday.would be a cool project

[dabirdguy]

Tail lights on those things are ridiculous $$ and very hard to find.
A couple of weeks ago there was a pair on EGay
Nice usable...far from show quality - $800.

[1964countrysedan]

Let's see the Cadillac. A year ago I wouldn't even considered a 60s Cadillac, but I have seen some on here and a several around locally that I would probably choose over that wagon. And I love wagons.

[evilone0528]

Originally Posted by dabirdguy

Tail lights on those things are ridiculous $$ and very hard to find.
A couple of weeks ago there was a pair on EGay
Nice usable...far from show quality - $800.

Good to know! This car need a pair of tail light. I'm not opposed to putting something else in it but it will give me some bargaining power!