All too many early postwar Mercury’s like this have gotten the James Dean treatment, leaving just a few exceptional attractive examples to remind today’s collectors and spectators just how far out of the ballpark Mercury’s designers hit the ball when they redesigned the line for 1949.
Introduced in April 1948, the 1949 Mercury had grown up, now resembling a small Lincoln instead of a big Ford.
Only 16,765 were convertibles like this beautifully restored and maintained example in the Black livery with Red leather and Tan broadcloth upholstery under a Black cloth top piped in Red which is so attractive on this envelope bodied design.
The 255 cubic inch flathead V8 makes 110 horsepower. Restored less than a decade ago to Concours standards, this Merc ragtop is still in sparkling, sharp condition.
It can be displayed at any Concours or the most meticulously judged marque show and while it may need an obsessive detailing to contest for top honors in its present outstanding condition it will be regarded with favor by all who look at it.
It leaves nothing to be desired in the way of equipment, either, having a 3-speed manual transmission, full wheel covers, wide whitewall tires, fender skirts, single outside mirror, radio, and clock.
James Dean should have been fortunate enough to drive a ’49 Merc as nice as this.
