Description
This car is Lot 176 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Quail Auction on Friday August 15, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Wednesday August 13 from 09:00 until 18:00, Thursday 14 August from 09:00 until 18:00, and Friday 15 August from 08:30 onwards, at The Quail Lodge.
Lot 176
1941 Mercury Model 19A Station Wagon
Registration no.
Chassis no. 99A-349992
239ci L-Head V8
Single Downdraft Carburetor
95bhp at 3, 600rpm
3-Speed Column-Shifted Manual Transmission
Solid Front and Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptic Transverse Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
* Top-of-the-line Mercury Woody Wagon
* Formerly part of the Nick Alexander Woodie Collection
* The perfect family hauler
* Recently serviced
THE MERCURY STATION WAGON
When the Ford Motor Company entered the station wagon market, it quickly became the nation's acknowledged wagon-master. It was natural then that when the upscale Mercury line was introduced for 1939, a Mercury wagon would follow this came to fruition in 1941. Although the basic wagon bodies were the same, the Mercury used higher grade finishes, color-coordinated top fabric and all-leather interiors, and of course it had the larger Mercury engine. Accordingly, it sold at a higher price, $125 above the Super Deluxe Ford.
Wood for the station wagons came from Henry Ford's forests in northern Michigan. By 1940, Ford operations at Iron Mountain oversaw all body operations. It was there at Iron Mountain that the wood was cut, shaped, and assembled into the iconic bodies.
THE CAR OFFERED
From the first year of production for the Woody Wagon, the top-of-the-line Mercury featured here was part of the Nick Alexander Woodie Collection. Acquired in 1998 from Roy Perle of New Haven, Connecticut, Alexander picked the car up himself and drove it cross-country to California. Restored to Finished to Alexander's exacting standards and painted Cayuga Blue over red leather upholstery, the car has retained its Iron Mountain Birch wood body and sheet metal. In Alexander's ownership, this Mercury earned a Dearborn Award from the Early Ford V-8 Club. The wagon joined the collection of the current owner in August of 2009.
Remaining local to the Monterey Bay Area for the past baker's dozen years, it has lap belts installed for the front seats and black rubber mats front and rear. Comfort features include dual outside mirrors, an AM radio, and a heater. A file of records from the current ownership shows maintenance completed on the car including a recent service last month to recommission the car after a period of limited use.
Showing beautifully today, this rare Woody is sure to bring smiles to the whole family!
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
