Sold for $52,800 at 2007 Worldwide Auctioneers.
This 1940 Mercury Eight Convertible Sedan was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $100,000. It was offered without reserve.
The Mercury nameplate was the result of Edsel Ford who envisioned the it as a brand that would fall below the luxury brand of Lincoln but above the entry-level Fords. As much needed convincing to father, Henry, and other family members, the project was given the green light. By the close of the 1930's, cars were being assembled and producing with Mercury badges.
From the start, the Mercury brand was successful. It competed against General Motors products of Pontiac and Oldsmobile and it took a few years to assemble similar sales figures as these household names.
During the early 1940's, Mercury averaged around 80,000 units per year which put it in twelfth or thirteenth in the industry.
The name 'Mercury' is from the winged messenger god in Greek mythology. In keeping true to its name, the Mercury had performance and style. They sat on a wheelbase four-inches longer than the Ford, measuring 116 inches. Styling featured curved fenders, rounded body lines, and a crisp and pointy front end.
When production began, the Mercury was available in either two- or four-door 'beetleback' sedans, a notchback sedan coupe, and a convertible coupe. Prices ranged from around $915 to just over $1,000. In 1940, a convertible sedan was added to the line-up. Around 1,150 of this bodystyle were created as it was a one-year option and carried a hefty price tag.
This Convertible Sedan is finished in the rare and original color of Albacore Blue. The interior of this car is burgundy with a matching tan top. It has many factory options such as AM radio and factory heater that includes a defroster. Unusual for the era was the locking steering wheel, which helped in theft prevention. This technology would not become widely used throughout the market until the late 1960's.
On auction day this car was sold for $52,800, falling with the low end of the estimated value. It is a brilliant and rare automobile that is one of hte few remaining survivors of this bodystyle in modern times.
By Daniel Vaughan
Edsel Ford knew that General Motors' marketing plan to create 'A car for every purse and ever purpose' represented the future of the automobile industry; he lobbied for years to convince his father to expand the Ford product line. Finally, in 1939 the Mercury appeared.
The Mercury was priced several hundred dollars more than the Ford V-8. It was targeted at Dodge and Oldsmobile and the lower end of the Chrysler and Buick market. It was styled by E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie and the influence of Gregorie's popular Lincoln-Zephyr design is quite evident.
Wheelbase was increased from 116 inches to 118 for 1940, when this convertible sedan was built. It offered its own version of the Ford V8 - 95 horsepower with hydraulic brakes.
This 1940 Mercury Hollywood Coupe is powered by an original 239 V-8 engine producing 95 horsepower. It has its factory radio, grille guard, and wheel rings. Currently, the car has 47,000 original miles.
By Daniel Vaughan
Source: Internet
Sold for $52,800 at 2007 Worldwide Auctioneers.
This 1940 Mercury Eight Convertible Sedan was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $100,000. It was offered without reserve.
The Mercury nameplate was the result of Edsel Ford who envisioned the it as a brand that would fall below the luxury brand of Lincoln but above the entry-level Fords. As much needed convincing to father, Henry, and other family members, the project was given the green light. By the close of the 1930's, cars were being assembled and producing with Mercury badges.
From the start, the Mercury brand was successful. It competed against General Motors products of Pontiac and Oldsmobile and it took a few years to assemble similar sales figures as these household names.
During the early 1940's, Mercury averaged around 80,000 units per year which put it in twelfth or thirteenth in the industry.
The name 'Mercury' is from the winged messenger god in Greek mythology. In keeping true to its name, the Mercury had performance and style. They sat on a wheelbase four-inches longer than the Ford, measuring 116 inches. Styling featured curved fenders, rounded body lines, and a crisp and pointy front end.
When production began, the Mercury was available in either two- or four-door 'beetleback' sedans, a notchback sedan coupe, and a convertible coupe. Prices ranged from around $915 to just over $1,000. In 1940, a convertible sedan was added to the line-up. Around 1,150 of this bodystyle were created as it was a one-year option and carried a hefty price tag.
This Convertible Sedan is finished in the rare and original color of Albacore Blue. The interior of this car is burgundy with a matching tan top. It has many factory options such as AM radio and factory heater that includes a defroster. Unusual for the era was the locking steering wheel, which helped in theft prevention. This technology would not become widely used throughout the market until the late 1960's.
On auction day this car was sold for $52,800, falling with the low end of the estimated value. It is a brilliant and rare automobile that is one of hte few remaining survivors of this bodystyle in modern times.
By Daniel Vaughan
Edsel Ford knew that General Motors' marketing plan to create 'A car for every purse and ever purpose' represented the future of the automobile industry; he lobbied for years to convince his father to expand the Ford product line. Finally, in 1939 the Mercury appeared.
The Mercury was priced several hundred dollars more than the Ford V-8. It was targeted at Dodge and Oldsmobile and the lower end of the Chrysler and Buick market. It was styled by E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie and the influence of Gregorie's popular Lincoln-Zephyr design is quite evident.
Wheelbase was increased from 116 inches to 118 for 1940, when this convertible sedan was built. It offered its own version of the Ford V8 - 95 horsepower with hydraulic brakes.
This 1940 Mercury Hollywood Coupe is powered by an original 239 V-8 engine producing 95 horsepower. It has its factory radio, grille guard, and wheel rings. Currently, the car has 47,000 original miles.
By Daniel Vaughan
Source: Internet
