The all-new 1949 Fords were designed by a team headed by outside consultant George Walker. However, there had been competing company proposals from the in-house studio of E.T. “Bob” Gregorie. Gregorie had penned a family of three similar cars in three different sizes: Ford, Mercury and Lincoln. When Walker’s design was chosen for the low-priced car, the Gregorie proposal was bumped up a notch to become Mercury, Lincoln and Lincoln Cosmopolitan, respectively. A smaller version went into production at Ford France as the Vedette.

Although it is a much larger looking car than the new Ford, the 1949 Mercury actually preserved its former 118-inch wheelbase. A stepped sculpture line ran from the front fenders, across the doors, back along the rear quarter, and dipped down to the bumper. A version of the new Ford station wagon body was married to the Mercury front clip, which required heat bending, not just of the laminated birch or maple trim, but also of the mahogany panels.

As in the past, there was but a single series of Mercurys, thus the new wagon was called simply “Mercury Station Wagon.” Although the basic body was identical to the Ford’s, Mercury received several up-market features, like an all-leather interior (Ford had genuine leather only on the seat cushions), twin taillights and directional signals. While Mercury shared Ford’s new independent front suspension and open driveline, it departed from the common engine program of 1946-48 and received a larger, 255.4 cubic inch version of the steady flathead V-8. In all, more than 300,000 were sold, but station wagons comprised only a reported 8,044 units of total production, making them quite rare then, and even more so today. Although the Mercury and Ford bodies are the same, save for the Mercury’s doors which are different to seamlessly blend into the different front-end sheetmetal, many observers agree that the Mercury body lines flow much more smoothly and attractively than those of its sibling.

This particular vehicle is fully restored and beautifully finished. The body has the correct mahogany with laminated birch. The woodwork is done to perfection and represents the immense attention to detail given by the attending craftsmen to this automobile. The maroon paint is spectacular; all chrome and trim elements have been redone and look like new. The interior is gorgeous with plush leather, well-complemented by the lovely wood trim around the dash, windows and interior panels. The accompanying gauges are stunning and all work properly.

As per original factory specifications, this 1949 Mercury comes equipped with a 225.4-cid, 110-hp flathead V-8 engine, and a smooth shifting three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The Mercury has many features that include a Continental-style spare at the rear with a color-keyed hard cover, exterior windshield visor, wood-framed split rear window, dual rearview mirrors, color-keyed steel wheels with factory wheel trim and dual taillights. Optional equipment found on this example comprises a heater, rear fender skirts and wide whitewall tires. Firestone Super Champions are now the rubber of choice on the Mercury. The car is reported to be in very good driving condition and “needs nothing to speak of.” It is easy to share with others as the mere sighting of this model of car can elicit many memories from days of past. This 1949 Mercury station wagon will be exciting to own and drive for many years to come.