Frame Off Restored Convertible 239 Flathead V8 3 Speed Manual

SUMMARY

* Power convertible top
* Equipped with a heater
* Correct 239 cubic inch flathead V8
* Correct 3-speed manual transmission
* All-steel body
* 6-volt electrical system

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In a showroom lined with six-figure street rods and octane-fueled muscle cars, there's something to be said about a clean classic, like this handsome '46 Merc, that's been restored to exact its original purpose. Sure, this drop-top's been to shows and proven its place among the best antiques in the country. But as it sits, the car, with its proven flathead, tough 3-speed and Dearborn steel body, is undoubtedly built to cruise and enjoy. So, if you've been shopping for a cool old hot rod to parade up and down Main Street, it looks like you've found your next car!

BODYWORK/TRIM

The beneficiary of a detailed, frame-off restoration, this slick sled was completely disassembled, carefully finessed and expertly rebuilt to the absolute highest standards. As you can tell from our photos, the car retains all of its original proportions, resulting in a balanced profile that's exclusive to unaltered Dearborn steel. Take a close look at that profile and you'll find buttery surfaces that have maintained a solid façade for close to 70 years. That façade creates a super clean fuselage that's been laboriously block-sanded and covered in a rich coat of Jet Black paint. That glossy pigment stays vibrant thanks to a first class finish that's been carefully buffed to a crowd-pleasing shine. And today, this Mercury rolls as one excellent classic with no filler, no bulges, no questionable seams and nothing that would otherwise demerit its exhaustive rebirth.

ENGINE

If Henry Ford perfected one aspect of his automobiles, it was the Ford V8. Introduced in 1932 as a durable, torque-rich competitor to more expensive and labor-intensive 8-cylinders, the 'flatty' has established an unmatched reputation as the go-to mill for classic and custom car enthusiasts. And, in keeping with tradition, this stellar Merc is powered by a correct, 239 cubic inch 69M block. Spinning smooth 6.75 to 1 compression into 100 horsepower and 180 lb./ft. of torque, the throaty engine growls with the help of a roster of vintage parts. Air enters through a Satin Black oil bath cleaner and, juiced by a small Ford 59 carburetor, exits through correct, cast iron exhaust manifolds. Ford-branded belts turn a traditional generator while a beefy radiator cycles water through Ford-branded hoses and tight screw clamps. Aesthetically, the mill, which perches a Satin Black oil canister on 24-stud heads, has been painted a familiar blue hue. Cool details, like a glass fuel bowl, a 6-volt Ford battery, an Autolite voltage regulator and a Dura Hydro Lectic convertible top motor, add enough shine to sit at the show. And overall, this classic's body-matched engine bay is a charming and 100% functional step back in to a much simpler, and some would say better, period of American automotive history.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Take a look under this solid cruiser and you'll find a fully sorted chassis that, despite its road-ready mechanicals, is exceptionally clean and displays very few signs of wear. While its body was off and being refinished, this Mercury's factory bones were treated to an equally comprehensive makeover, and, given their railroad trestle level of engineering, are probably one of the main reasons the sled rides so smoothly. Satin Black floors make a suitable backdrop for a Satin Black frame and factory-accurate suspension. A correct, 3-speed manual transmission sends power to a familiar Ford axle. In front of that drivetrain, a transverse leaf spring remains just as it looked back in 1946. And the same holds true behind that drivetrain, where a second transverse leaf and the aforementioned pumpkin add integrity and grip. 4-wheel drum brakes are a welcome addition and big performance upgrade. There's a quiet, single-pipe exhaust system. And everything rides on pinstriped wheels, which spin fresh 6.70-15 B.F. Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls around slim trim rings and Mercury-branded center caps.

INTERIOR

Inside this exclusive Merc, a tasteful red interior appears much more upscale than its age would suggest. Broad leather seats, which are both soft and supportive, ride on durable rubber flooring that's backed by clean carpet. In front of those seats, a classy, “MERCURY” branded dash anchors clear gauges in a stylish mix of wood and chrome trim. At the sides of that dash, coved door panels hang correct chrome handles over small armrests. In front of the driver, an artful Mercury steering wheel spins a full horn ring around a long chrome shifter. And behind the passenger's, a fully restored trunk features a full-size spare tire.

Cool and classic, this '46 Mercury Eight is a vision in post-war authenticity. You really can't ask for a more impressive blend of old school style and solid driving characteristics. And you certainly can't build this nice of a ride for the time or money it takes to drive out of our RK Motors Charlotte showroom. Ready to step up to something different? This awesome drop-top is ready to show and go!