Following World War II, the Ford Motor Company of Canada developed a new marketing scheme, which effectively divided its existing dealerships into two bodies, Ford and Lincoln-Mercury. Those selling the more expensive Lincoln-Mercury brands complained about losing their very strong-selling light-duty commercial vehicle lines, so, in response, a new line of pickups was released, one that was unique to the Northern market and carried the Mercury nameplate.

The Mercury trucks were the first post-war pickups released by Ford of Canada, and they were both rugged and handsome. Although essentially badge-engineered Fords, they were distinguished by their use of special upmarket trim, which included a distinctive grille design and unique badging and lettering.

The 1953 M100 Pickup offered here has been refinished in the Andrews’s favorite Flying A livery, which was borrowed from the nostalgic gas stations of the same name. The body is finished in matte Ford Maroon, with subtle patina and pinstriping giving it a charming custom touch, and much of the bright metal trim appears original. The bed features oak trim strips, as-original, while the interior is upholstered in black vinyl and faces a metallic maroon dashboard that’s pinstriping echoes that on the body. Under the hood is clean but obviously “driven,” as, indeed, this truck is still regularly used by the Andrews’.

As examples are rare in the United States, and nowadays even in its home country to the north, this post-war pickup is extremely desirable, with its modern custom flair and old world charm.