Stored 47 Years: Running 1940 Mercury Eight
Ford Motor Co. introduced a third range of automobiles in 1939, Mercury. It was sandwiched in between the more pedestrian Ford and the high-end Lincoln. The premiere model was the Mercury Eight, designated as such for its 239 cubic inch “Flathead” V8. Mercury would remain a FOMOCO staple until 2011 when it was discontinued as the industry was consolidating products. This 1940 Mercury has been in storage for ages and was recently brought back to life, but only with minor effort. So, the buyer may have to take things to the next level.
The first generation of the Mercury Eight was built in just two years (1939 and 1940) and would be recycled after World War II until 1951. The Eight was offered in a variety of body styles and a 2-door coupe like the one here could be had for under $1,000 when new. You had your choice of transmission as long as it was a 3-speed manual (“3-on-the-tree”). Ford promoted these cars heavily and it worked as supposedly 150,000 buyers switched machines in the car’s first two years.
As the story goes, this Mercury was off the road for nearly five decades, having been parked (possibly in a barn) since 1977. Wherever it was, it managed to escape the rust bug as the body looks to be solid. The blue/grey paint was redone at some point and could be cleaned up, but it has a few chips and nicks. The interior seems passable, too, but a perfectionist might want to redo the seats. The seller chose to go with portrait photos where landscape images would have gotten more of the car into view.
This is a running automobile, but the seller admits to doing just the bare minimum. No mention is made if any of the rubber parts have been replaced. We’re not sure that the seller really wants to let the car go as the wording implies that he/she is just testing the waters. Whether it floats or not, the Eight is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $13,000 here in Peosta, Iowa. Another great tip brought to you by T.J.!
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Comments
Nice car but it ain’t a coupe!
Glad you called that out, RSK! No one seems to know a coupe from a two-door sedan anymore. Coupes have shorter cabins than sedans (usually with proportionally longer rear ends). Sedans, whether two- or four-door, share the same body shell and interior save for the number of doors.
Ad says “considering selling “. So it’s either for sale or it’s not. Would be a nice car providing it’s solid underneath
Interesting but the write up implies the 39-40 Mercury was “recycled” — meaning cosmetically updated? until 1951. That seems a little misleading since all Ford lables went through a major upgrade in 49, Ford, Mercury, Lincloln. All being new platforms and not recycled versions of previous years.
Am I missing something?
I too was baffled. The I realized that “Mercury Eight” (model name), was the thing recycled until 1951, not the 1st generation body body stle. So I guess what you missed was the “Eight”.
I too was baffled. Then I realized he must mean The Mecury Eight (model name) was recycled, and used until 1951.
C/mon people!!! zuckerbergs social site is NOT the place to sell classic cars!!!
Had my money, I tell you what I’d do. I’d go downtown and by a Mercury or two. Cuz I’m crazy bout the Mercury. Cruise up and down that road.
I always preferred this version.
If I had money, I tell you what I’d do
I’d go downtown and buy a Mercury or two
I’m crazy ’bout a Mercury
I’m crazy ’bout a Mercury
I’m gonna buy me a Mercury and cruise it up and down the road
I was brought up on the Steve Miller version. But, I’ve heard many others. I also dig the version by David Lindley.
I’m w/C.
Esp love the i8 but the body, details are great (I claim ‘classics’ are late 30s – very early 50s; not 50s, 60s, 70s). This 1 fits right in there.
Wish the ford i8 went later. Buick beat them finishin production when I was 1 yr old. Even more tq than i6, my fav motor
chrisful, I think you’re a little confused. I’m assuming by i8, you mean inline 8. FORD or MERCURY never had an inline 8. It was a V-8, otherwise known as ‘flathead’ V-8. Ever heard of one? BUICK did have an inline 8. Your favorite motor is an inline 6? Nuff said…..
I’m glad it isn’t a coupe: I prefer sedans, which this one is. But if the seller is merely “testing the waters”; then, what’s the point? After 47 years of sitting, they got it running relatively easily? — that’s a FORD for you! And, having driven both a 1946 abd a 1949, I do not necessarily consider the latter an “upgrade” — more modern, yes — but far less stable on slippery roads, and much poorer visibility for someone short from the waist to the head. And I always liked that “Mercury Eight” designation — though many Fords were “eights” as well. For some reason, the Mercurys from before 1949 seemed to disappear far more rapidly than the Fords.
When I was in college my buddy bought a 2-door just like this, but he wanted a SBC in it so on Thanksgiving break, we put the small block in it. It was cold and snowing but we had a borrowed garage with a wood stove. I can’t believe now how fast we did it! Youth is a wonderful thing. This was about 1961 or 2. The upside for me was I got the Flathead for my 34 5-window. It was awesome engine recently rebuilt. The bad news is that the Flathead is gone, but I still have the 34 some 60 years later. As for the Mercury, I finally lost track of it about 40 years ago.