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

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by evilone0528, Oct 5, 2012.

  1. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    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
     

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  2. 1964countrysedan
    Joined: Apr 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,131

    1964countrysedan
    Member
    from Texas

    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.
     
  3. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    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
     
  4. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    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?
     

  5. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    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.
     
  6. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    What do you think this one ranks?#5 maybe 4.5?
     
  7. 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. :confused:

    Oldmics
     
  8. 56premiere
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 1,445

    56premiere
    Member
    from oregon

    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.
     
  9. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    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.
     
  10. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    Is the Lincoln swap a good thing?
     
  11. GaryB
    Joined: Dec 19, 2008
    Posts: 3,529

    GaryB
    Member
    from Reno,nv

    alot of work,some shiney paint,would be a real nice car.good luck
     
  12. 56premiere
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 1,445

    56premiere
    Member
    from oregon

    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
     
  13. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    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.
     
  14. wallyringo
    Joined: May 19, 2010
    Posts: 710

    wallyringo
    Member

    your subject lines says "Im thinking of trading for a 56 Merc wagon...school me" what are you thinking of trading?
     
  15. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    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?
     
  16. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    I have a rough old 62 caddy coupe. It's a driver but not really what I'm into.
     
  17. GaryB
    Joined: Dec 19, 2008
    Posts: 3,529

    GaryB
    Member
    from Reno,nv

    you won't be seeing one everyday.would be a cool project
     
  18. dabirdguy
    Joined: Jun 23, 2005
    Posts: 2,404

    dabirdguy
    Member Emeritus

    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.
     
  19. 1964countrysedan
    Joined: Apr 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,131

    1964countrysedan
    Member
    from Texas

    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.
     
  20. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    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!
     
  21. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    Complete, runs, needs to be totally rebuilt and refurbished. This describes a #4 condition car-$4100.00. These prices reflect a national average, South Eastern prices tend to run a bit lower. Mid 50's Merc wagons are fairly rare but demand is not especially high either, so it balances out.
    These are good useable cars even if completely stock, and modern upgrades are fairly easy.
     
  22. dabirdguy
    Joined: Jun 23, 2005
    Posts: 2,404

    dabirdguy
    Member Emeritus

  23. Ebbsspeed
    Joined: Nov 11, 2005
    Posts: 6,250

    Ebbsspeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If the car has a single exhaust, that crossover pipe is what carries the exhaust from the drivers side manifold, through the passenger side manifold, and then out through the exhaust pipe. If it has dual exhaust with each manifold having a separate outlet then the crossover could be blocked off.
     
  24. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

  25. evilone0528
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 539

    evilone0528
    Member

    Here ya go......dont laugh.

    This car is alot rougher than it apears in pics.Im not gonna do anything untill after Goodguys later this month.If I keep it I plan to change the car up alot this winter.Thought about smoothing out the body a bit and painting it flat green with a silver and flake roof.Probably scallops in the same silver and flake.Probably put some caddy hub caps with WWW too.
     

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  26. 56premiere
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 1,445

    56premiere
    Member
    from oregon

    i don't know if mercs are the same,but my lincolns have to be put in nuetral to start.they claimed that was a safety feature,not if your on a hill!
     
  27. wallyringo
    Joined: May 19, 2010
    Posts: 710

    wallyringo
    Member

    I like the Caddy, the Merc dosnt catch my eye, the Caddy minus the cragers is pretty cool,
     
  28. 1964countrysedan
    Joined: Apr 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,131

    1964countrysedan
    Member
    from Texas

    After seeing your Cadillac, just be sure you can afford to bring the Mercury up to the same condition or one you can live with.
    The unknown expenses of the Mercury would make me nervous.
     
  29. Those tail lite assembles are being reproduced.
    I would have to dig to find the vender but I know I discovered those repops here on the H.A.M.B.

    I would offer him 1K and see what happens.Course I am a cheap bastard :rolleyes:
    Again look at the data plate to see what engine came in the car.If its not the original engine-theres some bargining power.

    Oldmics
     
  30. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    It looks like the tail light housings are on the car. Maybe just missing the lenses?

    I like the Merc, and like your Cadillac. That would be a hard decision to make.

    Price guide values for a '62 Coupe DeVille
    1. 26,000
    2. 18,200
    3. 11,700
    4. 5,200
    5. 2,460
    6. 1,040
     

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