1946 Ford Mercury V8 Sedan

Description

In the immediate post-war period, Mercury cars were in essence dressed-up Fords that bridged the gap between the DeLuxe and the Lincoln-Zephyr range. Many regard the 1941-1948 Mercurys as one of Ford's greatest cars, combining sleek styling, fancy interior appointments and the famous flathead V8 under the shapely bonnet. During the war years, Mercury steadily developed a new model and even reached the point of clay mock-ups in 1944, but it wasn't until the 1st of November, 1945, once hostilities had ceased, that production finally resumed. As with all other car makers, the 1946 Mercury was basically a facelifted 1942 model, with a new high-style grille to set it apart. Built on a four-inch longer wheelbase than the Fords of the day, which contributed to the better balanced styling found on the Mercurys, the 1946 line-up included 2-door Sedan, Sportsman Club Convertible, 2-door Sedan Coupe, 4-door Town Sedan and Station Wagon models. Of the 86,608 Mercurys built in 1946, exactly 24,163 had the Sedan Coupe body style, which retailed for $1,495 in American dollars. Under the bonnet was the beefy L-head V8, displacing 239-cid and developing 100 bhp at 3800 rpm, while a three-speed manual transmission was standard. Changes to the engine for 1946 included new bearings, aluminium pistons and a high-pressure radiator cap to improve cooling. Other mechanical enhancements included self-centring brakes, a rear stabilizer bar and "Slow Motion" springs designed to give a more cushioned ride. The Mercury's dashboard was finished in a metallic lacquer and a fancier steering wheel, high quality upholstery combining leather with cord or broadcloth and more trim.