So, I was poking around on Lincoln, NE Craigslist, just because, and found this rare little gem: I'd never seen one before, or even knew something like this existed! And no, I didn't post the link. It's kind of a faux-pas, I guess. But y'all are smart people. There's more than enough info here for folks to track it down if they want to see it for themselves. I just thought it was cool.
The guy says it's a one-year-only body, and of the 879 made, probably 24 still exist. The late Merc flatty is rebuilt and it's had a 12v conversion done, but the Weiland "FR" (Full Race) long stud heads, SP oval top 97s, Harmon and Collins dual-point distributor, and Fentons just sweeten the deal. It was awesome enough to post it here. Hell, it was awesome enough for me to wonder where I could get $39k for 10 whole minutes...
I have kids, and have become a fan of the "Shut up and get your own door" advantage more-doors provide of late. Hence, the appeal.
The old Merc brochures are really cool. So are their ads. That's quite the modern looking cowboy in '40... he probably smokes Marlboros.
There was one in Hot rod in August, 1948: https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Harold_Ohanesian's_1940_Mercury
When I moved to San Francisco in 1956, I saw a white chopped Mercury 4 door convertible coming out of the Stockton Tunnel in San Francisco. I will always remember that because it was the first custom / hot rod that I saw in California.
I`m thinking a few more than 24 exist. I have to finish a top on one for a guy who lives notrh of Auburn Nebraska when the Top manufacture opens back up(Corona shut down) so I can order more material. It`s been a fun car to work on.
The car brochures from that era all had ‘artwork’ vs photos......and all the people were about half-size.....really made the cars look big and roomy.... That “estimated 24 still exist” is typically based on a Club registry for people who are joiners and usually restorers as well. The hot rod cars won’t show up there. No matter....this looks like a really nice car! Ray
There was a fellow in the northwest suburbs of Philly who had one (Bala Cynwyd area) back in the 80's- always enjoyed seeing him tooling around in it!
The Jalopy Journal
