1941 Mercury Model 19A Station Wagon

Work began in 1937 on the soon-to-be-introduced Mercury cars. The cars were introduced in New York at the time of the November 1938 auto show and offered in four body styles including a two-door sedan, a four-door, a convertible coupe, and a novel sedan coupe. The company was the brainchild of Edsel Ford and the design work was courtesy of E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie.

The Mercury cars were very similar in design to their Ford counterparts and in many respect a larger version of the Ford. They were mechanically similar and obviously Ford-shaped. Among the main differences were a four-inch longer wheelbase and ten extra horsepower.

During the first year of production, around 75,000 Mercurys were sold, with price tags ranging from $916 to $1,018. The following year, in 1940, 81,000 examples were sold, and a new body style - a convertible sedan - was introduced. Ford had discontinued the four-door convertible after 1938, and Mercury had added it to their listings.

For 1941, the Ford wheelbase grew to 114 inches, and the Mercury's now measured 118 inches. A station wagon option became available and was one of seven body styles in the 1941 Mercury catalog. Costing $1,141, it was the most expensive Mercury, the convertible sedan having been dropped. Along with more power and a longer wheelbase, the Mercury Wagon was available in a choice of birch or gum panels to contrast the maple framing, and color-coordinated leather seats. Just like the Fords, the bodies were all built at Iron Mountain.

In total, Mercury sold 2,145 examples of the Woodie Wagon in 1941, easily out-selling Buick and Packard.

This 1941 Mercury Station Wagon has been given a high-quality restoration and finished in Cayuga Blue. It has earned a Dearborn Award from the Early Ford V8 Club. It wears its original Birch wood body and has a new black artificial leather roof. The seats are upholstered in new red leather and there are lap belts for two in the front. There are black rubber mats on the floor in both the front and the rear. The car is equipped with a hot water heater, a radio, and dual outside mirrors. The current mileage is just under 100,000.

In 2009, this Mercury Station Wagon was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in Monterey, California presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $135,000-$155,000 and was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $121,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2009