Ford Motor Company’s major story for 1951 was the announcement of the company’s first fully automatic transmission. This transmission, referred to as Merc-O-Matic on Mercurys, was a three-speed, planetary-geared design with a torque converter. The new device was built by both Ford at its newly opened Fairfax Plant in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Borg-Warner, which had assisted in the design and development program. The transmission featured the industry’s first “P-R-N-Dr-Lo” shift pattern, which later became the industry standard. Years later, the safety benefits were generally recognized and it was universally adopted.

This Dearborn, Michigan-built Mercury is originally an Arizona car, and it is one of only six thousand six hundred twenty-five convertibles built for 1951. It has been in the current owner’s collection since 2006, and it has been used sparingly during the subsequent years. Prior to his ownership, it was in the care of its previous owner since the early 1980s. Those detailed records, which include invoices for expenses, along with an owner’s manual, a factory radiator, a heater, battery tags, a color chart, and original sales brochure, are included with the car. It is very nicely equipped with the aforementioned Merc-O-Matic; power windows, seats, and convertible top; factory back-up lights; fender skirts, deluxe bumper guards, and whitewall tires; and optional dual spotlights. Both the original heater and AM radio are in working condition. In 2013, the car received a bare metal repaint in its original color of Canary Yellow, which contrasts nicely with its tan Haartz cloth convertible top.

In addition, it is fitted with “cherry bomb” mufflers and dual exhausts with chrome tips. Less than six months ago, the car received a tune-up, which included having the carburetors rebuilt and adding new spark plugs and wires. The owner simply states, “It runs great!”