1941 Mercury Model 19A

Edsel Ford had been pressuring his father to expand their product line similar to the marketing strategy that General Motors had been doing for a number of years. The result of his efforts was the Lincoln Motor Company, which was purchased by Ford in 1921 and placed under the guidance of Edsel. The Lincoln Company prospered during the 1920s but the onset of the Great Depression left Henry Ford on the verge of abandoning the company. Edsel proposed a lower-priced car that could be sold in a price range between the Fords and the expensive Lincolns. His request was granted in 1935 when the Lincoln-Zephyr was introduced.

After the Depression, the market again gained momentum, and car sales began increasing. The fastest-growing market was for the medium-priced vehicle which favored other marques such as Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Dodge. Edsel and Henry began working on a new car that was larger and more expensive than the Ford but less elegant and more economical than the Lincolns. The result of their work was introduced in 1941 and dubbed 'Mercury', after the swift Roman god. It was given a larger engine than its competitors while weighing less, meaning it offered superior performance for a lower price. Less than 9000 examples were created before the United States entered into World War II and Ford switched to war production. In 1945 Mercury was transferred to the Lincoln Division and became known as Lincoln-Mercury.

The Mercury was initially designed as a mid-market entry between Ford and Lincoln. The Styling was inspired by the Lincoln Zephyr and the flathead V-8 engine offered 95 horsepower.

The 1941 Mercury rested on a 118-inch wheelbase and was propelled by an eight-cylinder 239.4 cubic-inch engine that produced just under 100 horsepower. The lone open variant was the convertible, priced at approximately $1,100. The most expensive body style was the station wagon at $1,140. The most affordable body style was the Business Coupe at $910, followed by the $935 five-passenger coupe, and the $946 two-door sedan. The four-door sedan was priced at $987, and the six-passenger coupe was $977.

Approximately 80,000 Mercurys were sold in 1941.

by Dan Vaughan

Station Wagon

The Mercury was introduced in 1939 as Ford's mid-level line, priced to compete with Pontiac and Oldsmobile. Edsel Ford took the lead in developing the line, naming it after the fleet-footed messenger of the gods. Although early Mercurys were frequently viewed as upscale Fords, brisk performance helped the car achieve a dedicated following. The line attained a stronger identity after World War II with the establishment of the Lincoln-Mercury Division.

by AACA Museum

Club Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 99A356742

Mercury was introduced in 1939 and was named after the Roman god and was the culmination of Edsel Ford's idea. The car became an immediate sales success with over 70,000 units sold during the first year.

This example was purchased in 1992 by Cleveland Browns owner Alfred Lerner, a noted car enthusiast. The car was sold a year later to James Berick who donated it to the Crawford Museum in 1999. There is dark blue leather upholstery with rubber mats in front and blue carpets in the rear.

The engine is a Flathead V8 displacing 239 cubic inches and producing 95 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

In 2009, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $50,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $49,500, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Station Wagon
Chassis number: 99A349992

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 Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 441463

The Mercury was an instantaneous success, with around 75,000 examples built and delivered in its first year of production. The following year, more than 81,000 examples were sold. In 1941, the body styles were standardized between Mercury and Ford, and the two cars used essentially the same body styles aft of the nose. The Mercury models were given more exterior trim and a more luxurious interior.

This 1941 Mercury Coupe is believed to have the original black finish it wore when it left the factory. Inside, there is an original grey cloth interior, original glass, and the painted steel wheels and stainless body trim are still in fine condition.

It is believed that the car was originally delivered to a Ford executive in the Detroit area. It remained in his family for over five decades before coming into the care of Ken McGee in Ontario, from whom the late Jim Miller purchased it. Currently, the car has 37,892 actual miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Club Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: A-389301

This Mercury was owned by its original owner for over 38 years. It was purchased in April of 1941 from the dealer H.W. Ewing by Carlton Nichols of Rising Sun, Maryland. A 1929 Ford Coupe was traded for the Mercury, which had been optioned with five whitewall tires and a radio.

During his ownership, the car was shown at 56 shows, claiming first-place awards at 14 events. In 1974 Mr. Nichols relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, and brought the Mercury along with him. It was later sold to Ed de Garbolewski, and he presented the car at an AACA Keystone Region gathering, probably during the 1980s. By the late 1990s, the car had passed into the collection of Duane Sell, who exhibited the car at the 2000 Meadow Brook Hall Concours d'Elegance. It remained with Mr. Sell for two decades.

This Mercury is equipped with a heater, clock, and an AM radio. There is a power soft top sewn from proper tan canvas with red welting. There are optional rear fender skirts and the wheels are mounted with period-correct wide whitewall tires. The interior houses an Art Deco-styled dash panel, maroon upholstery with white trim, and a white steering wheel.

by Dan Vaughan