Technical 1956 Merc Wagon Question

Hey I found a '56 Merc 2 door wagon project out at the Pate Swap Meet. Perfect size little wagon but man that front end sheetmetal just don't do it for me. Looks like a Catfish layin up on the bank in the sun... But will a front cap from a '56 Ford fit on there? Looks to be the same general size & shape & a '56 Ford is so Pretty!
Thanks!

 

I think so.

 

I know the doors on my buddies 56 Merc two door sedan appear to be exactly the same as my doors for whatever that is worth. Other than the trim difference, I don't see any other difference at least to the eye so would expect the front clips to interchange.

 

The 52-55 Mercury & Ford wagon body is basically the same so I would think the same thing applies to the '56 wagons. HRP

 

The designers subcribed to the more massive the better on those front ends. That two door makes for a great looking wagon though.

 

Wouldn't the Merc have a longer wheelbase? Measure the distance from the front wheel to the door opening before you commit.

 

There is a big difference between Mercury’s and Fords.
Mercury’s have lock washers- Fords don’t!!!

 

That's a BIG Difference!

 

I may could get used to that Merc front end...That looks like 300 lbs of Krome!

 

I’d take the merc front over the ford.
Looks great as a mild custom

 

I think both look good. I would leave it a Merc front end and I may even be biased the other way.

 

The ‘56 Ford wagon has a 115 1/2” wheelbase, the Mercury has a 118” wheel base. As goldmountain said, measure the distance from the door to the wheel center line if you decide to use the ford sheetmetal.

Maybe use a ‘55 or ‘56 Ford front bumper and make a custom grille.

If your looking for parts or technical information you can join the 1952-59 Ford Social group here on the HAMB.

 

Rode a lot of miles in a 56 Mercury wagon as a kid.

 

You could try to track down a “56 Meteor Rideau grille...

 

Love that slanted B pillar on the 2 door wagon.

 

I believe a Ford nose would work.

 

@guthriesmith , do you have a side photo of your 1956, that we could see alongside the red and white Merc wagon photo above?
The it should be easy to see the distance from the front of the door opening to the rear of the front wheel opening, to see if both cars are the same.
I would guess they are different, as stated above.

 

Even with a longer wheel base and the same tops…. The engine room is shorter on a Merc. You need to get any 56 Ford, preferably a 2 or 4 dr sedan, side by side , open the hood and start measuring.

 

Here you go Phil.

 

Pretty sure that the Merc's extra wheelbase is all in the front clip. The Ford fenders and hood would be too short for the Merc by 2.5".

 

As above, by Mark T,
1956 Merc wheelbase is 118":
https://www.conceptcarz.com/s2082/Mercury-Montclair.aspx
1956 Ford wheelbase is 115 1/2"
https://www.conceptcarz.com/s9331/Ford-Fairlane.aspx

 

This wheelbase discrepancy reminds me of two bullet nose Studebakers a friend had. The convertible had a short nose and the coupe had the long nose. He swapped the front sheet metal from one to the other. That was a lot of work.

 

Noted, and my comment correctly recognized those dimensions. What's your point?