Long-Term Owner: 1940 Mercury Eight Coupe
I wish we could celebrate certain vintage car owners – those who coddled an individual car for decades, caring for its every need, polishing it, driving it, enjoying it. That kind of attention is immediately apparent. We see it today in this exceptionally well-preserved 1940 Mercury Model Eight coupe, featuring an all-original interior and only four owners from new. The Mercury Eight was introduced just one year before this example rolled off the line. At the time, car makers were beginning to respond to niche markets. Ford’s Standard/Deluxe line was its pedestrian offering, on a small 114″ wheelbase; the Zephyr was its top-shelf option, establishing Lincoln as a luxury brand for generations. In between, there was … nothing. Thanks to numskal for finding us Ford’s solution to this dilemma, located in Costa Mesa, California.
The Eight arrived in 1939, the first car under the new Mercury brand name. With a 116″ wheelbase, hydraulic brakes, a three-speed manual gearbox and Ford’s 95 hp 239 cu. in. flathead V8, the big car struck a balance between size and economy that Ford touted relentlessly. It looked like the swanky Zephyr, but according to the factory, achieved 20 mpg, at least a couple mpg better than the bigger car. The seller notes that this example has a “European heater” but its instructions appear to be in English; I’m guessing this is an aftermarket hot air heater. Underhood is almost as nice as underside, where things are really spiffy.
Here’s that stunning interior – it’s difficult to believe everything here is original; it looks restored to me. The seat belts are add-ons, but a factory radio is in place, along with a roof antenna. The Art Deco dash is a thing of beauty. By 1940, Ford finally supplied two wiper blades and dual sun visors. A service sticker from 2020 remains on the door jamb. Tools and the jack are still in the near-perfect trunk, and the glass looks great.
The Mercury Eight was produced until 1951, rotating through bodies and platforms along the way. The early years saw badging roving about: this car has “Mercury Eight” in script from front to rear just below the hood trim; in 1941 the “prow” of the front sheet metal was softened and the badging crossed the front of the hood. Wish I were in the market for a 1940 Mercury, because this is the one I would choose, albeit hoping to strike a better bargain price-wise. It’s advertised here on craigslist at $34,900. The dealer representing the car points to more photos here. What do you think of this tidy Mercury?
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Comments
wow!
Good point regarding the owners themselves. This was well-loved in its lifetime and it shows, understandably. What is it about the Art Deco that so many people like? Dunno but it looks great on everything-buildings, transportation, interiors..well, most interior stuff anyway.
That straight 8 was a pretty hot ticket for its time and in this body a great way to start the Mercury line.
It has a V8, not a straight 8.
Hi Nev, I read, the “Art Deco” theme had several reasons, it celebrated the machine age, where things were made by machine design not by hand, denoted luxury for the masses, optimism, color, shapes and available from clocks to steam locomotives. I think by 1940, Art Deco ran its course, and after the war was gone.
@Nevadahalfrack: This car is fitted with the incredibly faithful Ford Flathead V8 not a straight 8. I don’t know that Ford ever made a straight 8 in the 30’s or 40’s.
I guess, I am musty what ever that means? I assume that is OLD if that is the case I am “GUILTY” I also absolutely love this car, I have had several 40 Fords and I loved them all. Always wanted a Mercury and came close several times just couldn’t make the deal. This looks like another one of those times , but not because I don’t want it or it is overpriced, it’s just life and luck.
Great looking car, but the price is too high. Market isn’t there and doubtful it will ever get to the asking price. Collector age is changing and these just don’t hit the note anymore.
My dad’s first new car was a `40 Mercury coupe like this one. He said it was light grey, and it got him through WWII and a move from NE. to CA. to finish college at UCLA. In `46, Dad said a parking valet in L.A. for whatever reason backed the car up with the driver’s door open, and *crunch* took it right off the car LOL! That prompted him to trade it that year for a `46 Chrysler T&C cvt.!
Ugliest roof ever on a FOMOCO. Cure it with a 4′ chop, lower it and dress up the motor.
It’s a beautiful car. But there is no way any car could look like this after 84 years without much restoration being done on almost everything, loving care by the owners notwithstanding.
The appearance of these and other FMC products of the pre war era really hit the sweet spot. Simply a beautiful car that is just as desirable today.
The price looks fair to me, you certainly couldn’t buy and restore a typical project car to this level for $35k.
Own a 39 merc, not in as good a shape as this one, runs drives, 35000 miles, paid 9000, so I’d say this one a bit high.
parents had a 1939 merc when i was young it had a floor shift and running boards great car
I’ve loved ’40 Fords since I was a kid and won Best of Show in my high school model car competition with a kit I bought and turned into a hot rod.. I chopped the top off and added pipe cleaner “tuck and roll” to the seats (which were all the rage in ’68) and painted it deep maroon. This car though kicks things up a notch for me though. I don’t recall ever seeing one before, but I love the art deco and could really dig cruising down the road and going to the local cars and coffee in it.
There is no doubt this is a beautiful car, but in my opinion the roof on these coupes looks to be an add on removable item. Personally I much prefer the silhouette of a 1940 Deluxe coupe.
I agree, I was actually thinking the same thing when I was looking at the profile picture.
This a beautiful very rare Hanes body coupe, It has the appearance of the coming hardtops of the 50s, with its chrome surround windows and uniqe roof line. It was also offered on 40 Chryslers, De Sotos and Dodges!
My mistake it was 1939 only for Hayes body coups on Imperials, Chryslers, De Sotos and Dodges,