History 1949 Merc 3 window factory prototype?

So I bought a book today that was published in the late 70's called "cars of the 40's" and it had this interesting picture inside. It's a 49 Merc that looks to be a factory prototype/concept car. I've never heard of this car before so I did a search and didn't come up with anything. Im not sure I really like the roof, but I don't hate it either. it sort of reminds me of a late 40's dodge/mopar. The taillight treatment is kinda cool. Anyone know anything about this prototype?

 

cool

 

WOW that has sort of the same roof line as my 41 Chrysler 3 window coupe

 

Yep, looks like a Chrysler turret alright.



'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

I thinks what's really neat is some of the other pictures in the background you can make-out a torpedo back also. I'm kind of glad they didn't make this its hard to imagine anything but the style we know!

 

I passed a 3 window looking merc or Lincoln coming out of flagstaff last year looked shortened also. I should of took a pic..interesting concept

 

Taillights almost look like early cadillac..

 

Yeah like a little caddy taillight sliced in half.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=784904

 

That is just a styling study (styling clay). Collectible Automobile magazine always shows the styling clays that were proposed whenever they feature a particular automobile. For example, when they did a feature a number of years ago on the tri-five Chevys, you would not believe how hideous some of the proposals were.

In most cases, we can be thankful that so many of the styling ideas were rejected.

Interesting history anyway.

Just found a link to photos of styling clays, including proposals for the '49 Mercs

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1496792@N20/pool/27096349@N07/

 

Found a few clay model ford designs in the book too. The first reminds me of a late 40's Packard. Thank God Ford didn't go for this design! But check out the big body line dip. looks like a big version of the 49-51 merc body lines.


This ford is like a little mini merc. Check out the front end, looks similar to a 48 ford

 

Thankful for sure. I saw that Tri-five issue and some of those clays were, in a word, morphodites.

It is especially fascinating to see the renderings and proposals produced during the war years for post war cars. That was a big, funky transition going from fat fendered to slab sided cars. Production and model changes being on hold through WWII as well as a thirsty post war public also made for exciting times for the car makers.

 

Cool History...

 

You guys can't keep teasing us with these nightmare sounding '55 designs without showing them!



'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

Interesting pictures, Kevan...I've never seen those before. The last one with the resemblance to the '48 Merc body style makes me wonder if that's the design proposal for the '49 Ford- the Lincoln Cosmopolitan body was supposed to be the Merc and the Merc body was supposed to be the Ford...then they all got bumped up one notch and the '49 Ford was designed at the last minute...which is a long, crazy story in itself.

I have also seen some weird Merc sedan concepts like this one:

 

Reminds me of the 40's era business coupes.

4TTRUK

 

That's no concept. That's an M73 Town Sedan.

 

Here's one. After you get finished barfing, come back and I'll see if I can find another one!

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.c...ures/1957-chevrolet-styling-design-from-1954/

And here's more!

http://www.classicdreammachines.ca/1956-chevy-archive-pictures.html

 

I was wondering if it was actually produced because I have a picture saved of one from a carshow...couldn't find it last night to post here. So were they sold in the United States or just overseas?

I know Lincoln had one in the Cosmopolitan body line...

 

My mistake. It is shown in the Service Manual but I think it was never produced.

 

The town sedan roof looks like a hudson

 

Town Sedan would make a great Phantom build. Start with a 4 dr. sedan and work from there.

 

I´ve seen this pic described as a styling test for the French Ford Vedette. The proportions look dead on for the Vedette, so I´d say it´s correct.

 

And the Vedette's of course had that Town Sedan body style...

 

Is it just me, or is that Vedette sporting a moustache?

 

ok so it's starting to make sense, some of the designs ended up on European cars. I like that little Vedette!

 

There was also a nice coupe version (very rare now).
And strangely enough the top looks a lot like the 1939-40 Mercury coupe top.

 

Those Vedettes would be cool if they were full size

 

Thanks a lot guys, now I need a Vedette with a S.Co.T. Blown Ardun V8-60!



'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

Man, that little coupe is cool! And I would know exactly how to chop it!