Very unusual to find in this condition - and not customised
The Appeal
In the immediate post-war years Ford came out fighting with a range of new models designed to sock it to the competition. The third generation Mercury Eight was just one of them, but it would go on to have an influence on car culture far beyond its brief lifespan.
With its modern, ‘full body’ pontoon styling and powerful 255cu in 105bhp flathead V8, the new Mercury wowed customers and sold in volume. When new car buyers moved onto more modern cars, the 2 door Coupé enjoyed a second life. Thanks mainly to the Barris brothers and their Hirohata Merc, which gave birth to the ‘lead sled’ scene, the Coupe became an icon of the ‘50s customising scene.
So it is rare to find a Mercury Eight Coupe like this, one that has not just escaped the customiser’s angle grinder but is in astonishingly original condition, right down - apparently - to the 74 year old paintwork. Handsome in opalescent Atlantic Blue, its flowing lines suggest that perhaps Ford got it right first time, before the customisers set to work.
This is a vanishingly rare opportunity to buy a factory-standard, highly original Mercury Eight Coupe. A car from a carefree, optimistic era of post-war motoring, it looks ready to endow some of that charm on its lucky new buyer.
The History and Paperwork
DVLA records indicate that this car was first registered on 5th May 1949
Sold new in 1949 in Redmond, Oregon where the dry climate preserved its bodywork
Dry stored from 1953 due to owner's infirmity
Featured in Classic American magazine in June 2023
Used sparingly by subsequent owners who valued its originality
Unfortunately Mercury VIN records for this period do not allow us to interrogate the build data for this car
Imported from Oregon in 2021
First UK registered on 1st December 2021
MOT’d and serviced on arrival in the UK to verify structural condition
Last MOT expired 11th October 2022 at 46,702 miles
Car has only covered 500 miles since the last MOT
We are told that the paintwork and interior are original
The only deviations from factory original are the fake Lakes pipes on each side and the blue dot rear lights
Owners manual and original factory brochure included
The third generation Mercury Eight was a radical departure from its forerunners. Sharing a platform with Lincoln models it offered buyers a full body design - known at the time as a ‘pontoon’ style - with a choice of body styles. Under the big bonnet was Ford’s familiar ‘flathead’ side valve V8 in 255cu in capacity developing 105bhp.
The new Eight was a huge success, 120,616 selling over two short years, its combination of svelte styling, luxury fittings and powerful V8 proving a compelling showroom promise. These same qualities likely explain why customisers piled in once these cars hit the second hand market. They were encouraged by the astonishing Hirohita Merc created by the Barris brothers, whose long, low styling gave birth to the ‘lead sled’ scene.
The car began its life in 1949 in Redmond, Oregon, a high desert state with a dry climate that benefitted the bodywork's preservation. The car's owner joined the US army in the early 1950s and fought in the Korean War where he was injured. This meant he was unable to drive the car and it was stored and unused for many years.
Subsequent owners from 1986 have been contacted and explained that they valued the car's originality and stored it carefully and used it sparingly. The final US owner wanted to sell it to a like-minded enthusiast which is how it found its way to the UK towards the end of 2021.
The vendor asserts that the paintwork is original and the interior likewise. Judging by the photos we tend to agree - it has all the hallmarks of a well preserved, highly original car.
The Interior
Two-tone grey and blue bodywork complements the exterior colour scheme
Appears to be a highly original interior with some signs of wear but nothing unsightly
Ford sold these cars on their ‘full instrumentation’ which is beautifully arranged and neatly detailed across the dashboard
Factory two spoke cream steering wheel
Two tone theme continues across the dashboard
Bench front and rear seats
Wool headlining appears to be original
The mix of enthusiasm and conservatism that characterised the immediate post-war years in America is evident in the interior of this lovely 74 year old car. There is exuberance in the two-tone colour scheme but the tones are muted, while the ‘full instrumentation’ dashboard is both restrained yet carefully detailed with bright chrome labels for each dial.
It is a highly original and remarkably preserved place, like stepping through a time tunnel into an era of big, wide bench seats. There are some signs of wear but it feels churlish and against the spirit of this car to list them - they surely add to the car’s character and charm and are evidence of the many journeys this ‘captain of the road’ must have taken. None of the wear is immediately visible or detracts from the overall aesthetics.
Instead soak in the wonderful details of this car, from those chromed dials to the two-tone door cards and sun visors and the light wool headlining. It is enough to make every journey an adventure of discovery and wonder.
The Exterior
We understand that the paintwork is original and it appears to be opalescent Atlantic Blue
Factory standard aesthetics except for the blue dot rear lights and fake Lakes pipes
There are some marks around the car but nothing significantly detracts
The bodywork and underside appear to be free of corrosion and the last MOT contains no structural advisories
Some light scratches on the offside rear wing
Exquisite chromework is complete and in good condition albeit with light dents on some components
Stylish white wall tyres with factory chrome Mercury hub caps
Period details about like the auxiliary lights on the A posts
Beautifully styled car with interesting panel intersections and proportions
The 1949 Mercury Eight Coupe was one of the first generation of ‘full body’ cars, eschewing the separate wings and fenders of pre-war models in favour of a wider and more integrated design. It was a style that surprised buyers - who nicknamed it ‘pontoon’ - but it certainly didn’t dent sales of the Eight.
That is likely precisely down to how it looked. Even now the big Coupe is an arresting design, exuberant yet conservative just like its interior. It is a relatively simple profile but there are some wonderful details in the chromework and in the panel intersections. This is the sort of car that the more you look at it, the more you see.
We are told that the paintwork on this car is original. It appears to be opalescent Atlantic Blue, a shade that seems to still look modern 74 years after this car left the production line. Thanks to that originality there are various signs of marks and scuffs around the car but, as the photographs show, they do not detract from the overall look. And arguably they are part of this wonderful car’s charm.
The chrome work tells a similar story, with a few shallow dents in places but nothing dramatic.
It appears to be largely factory standard. It looks like it has been lowered and fake Lake pipes have been added to each side. At the back there are Blue Dot rear lenses. These light modifications could either be retained or easily removed.
The Mechanics
4,184cc 255 cu in Ford ‘flathead’ side valve V8-9CM V8 developing 105bhp
The Mercury models got a more powerful version of this engine that the equivalent Ford models
3spd manual gearbox with column shifter and overdrive
Serviced on arrival in the UK and has covered few miles since
MOT and tax exempt
The success of the new Eight Coupe is down to more than just those remarkable looks. Beneath the bonnet was Ford’s much-loved ‘flathead’ V8, an old design by ‘49 but one that was powerful and, appealing to the customising scene, highly tunable. Mercury models got more power than their equivalent Ford rivals so the Eight Coupe was good for 105bhp.
This car was checked over and serviced when it arrived in the UK in late 2021. The MOT expired on 11th October 2022 but it has covered few miles since the test.
Summary
‘50s customisers loved the Eight Coupe and with good reason: it looks incredible and its V8 sounded the part. Such was their popularity that few survived the custom treatment.
Much as we love those modified models, it is a real treat to find an unmolested example like this. Resplendent in Atlantic Blue it is a motoring work of art that rewards every new glance. Be sure not to miss this remarkable opportunity to buy a highly original piece of classic Americana.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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