Ford : Other Pickups 1/2 Ton Pickup

OVERVIEW:

This is an unrestored original and quite complete 1949 Mercury M-47 ½ ton Stepside Pickup. The truck shows 60. 67 miles on the odometer. which are likely original miles.

Mercury trucks were a Canadian offering identical in most respects to Ford trucks except for unique. and sometimes enhanced badging and trim. Most notable differences include the Mercury name and crest on the chrome trim on the front and sides of the hood. front fender stainless moldings. different front park lights. Mercury hubcaps. horn button. speaker grille. and of course the Mercury scripted tailgate. Total production of 1949 Mercury trucks in the ½ ton to 1 ton range was 8. 26 units.

This truck comes with all of its unique Mercury trim and badging. including the hubcaps and tailgate.

This relatively solid and original Saskatchewan truck worked delivering cream. eggs. and poultry for the Swift Current Produce Co. prior to coming to Alberta years ago.
Today it is a non-runner requiring restoration. Some work has been done. and there are some new parts and literature.

Apart from the Mercury specific items mentioned. most everything else on this truck is the same as Ford. so restoration is easy as there is a huge availability of reproduction and aftermarket parts for these trucks.

DRIVETRAIN:

 The original flathead engine is stuck.
Most things under the hood are period correct and unrestored. Missing rad cap.

Somewhere along the way it was parted from its original data tag. and decades old pictures indicated this happened long ago. A replacement tag was mounted on the firewall but I believe it is from a Ford. Years ago when I purchased this truck I ran the numbers thru federal and provincial databases to ensure it was not a stolen vehicle. it came back clean.

I have a correct running flathead and 3 speed floor shift transmission assembly. on a stand. from a 1950 Mercury ½ ton which I intended to use. That engine is not included in this auction since the buyer may want to build this truck with a different engine. But I will sell it separately if desired for $1. 00.

CHASSIS:

The frame is solid and straight with no evident collision damage or rust rot. It and all chassis components appear original. The underside shows the road wear of its years.
Some NOS Ford chassis parts are included. not installed. There is a new king pin set. front spring shackle. pin & bushing set. and rear spring pin and bushing set.

The previous owner installed new brake cylinders at all 4 wheels and the drums were turned. The master cylinder was removed but is with the truck. along with a new kit to rebuild it.

The truck currently sits on 15” wheels. A set of original 16”wheels is included. 2 of them are 16”x5”. and 3 are 16”x5. 5”. These are the ones that the original hubcaps fit. the caps do not fit the 15” rims.

BODY & PAINT:

 Body and paint are all original. The cab is overall quite solid. no rust in the cab corners or sills. The left side floor is solid. the right side has some small rust holes and could use repair or a replacement pan.

The hood is straight. no rust out
The front fenders have rust out in the usual areas for these trucks. but they are repairable.

The doors are quite straight and the bottoms are solid. The left door has some rust issues on the inner face. low at the front. which will need a patch. No such problem on the right door. its solid.

The running boards are very solid and straight. no rot top or bottom.

The box side panels are also relatively straight without rot. The rear fenders had been removed. care was taken not to break any of the mounting studs. I was going to install a very nice set of solid and straight rear fenders I have. but they turned out to be off a ¾ ton and there were some minor differences. so the old rears were put back on.

Mercury tailgates are rare and very much sought after. This Mercury tailgate had the typical farmer grain chute cut out. but the cut was very nicely done. so it would be possible to weld the script panel back in.
An alternative to the work of restoring this original gate would be to buy a new repro tailgate and then weld in the Mercury scripted panel. Would be easier and a lot less work in exchange for the price of a new tailgate.
Will need new hinges. they're available.

Obviously the box will require a new wood bed and cargo strips.

New Denis Carpenter parts include the Cowl Vent Gasket. Back of Front Fender to Cowl Seal. and Vent Window Rubber Seals.

INTERIOR:

The interior of the truck is original. The headliner. glove box. kick and cab corner panels are long gone. but these are available. There is a driver side sun visor.
The seat has just been redone in correct material by a professional upholsterer but did not arrive in time for these pics. It will be ready and installed for the new owner. the black frame has been powder coated.

Equipped with an original storage bin behind the seat.
The gas tank was out and flushed of any debris. and is in good condition.

The windshield is cracked. Both door windows and the back window are good.
Driver's vent window is broken. passenger side is delaminating. All glass is flat so its inexpensive to replace.

ELECTRICAL:

The truck retains its 6-volt electrical system and all original wiring.

Also published at eBay.ca

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