The story: My '50 moredoor is currently front clip-less after discarding the absurdly dangerous hack job that was "welded" in when I bought it. On one hand, I was going to camaro front clip it. On the other, i thought a replacement stock frame was a good route to go as well. I have scoured a 5 state craigslist area for six months or more as well as ebay for a good parts car without much luck. So lo and behold, i finally find a nice stock frame on ebay about 5 hrs from me and i buy it. WELL...then i take off for vacation and pulling out of town what do i see sitting in a lot off the highway...a '50 moredoor!!! I about shit myself...Of course the better half says no looking right now, just keep driving. After vacation is over, we pull into town and i finally stop and look it over and get the owners number. I call him and he says he also has a '49 moredoor a mile up the road. This time a little pee-pee (i have kids) dribbles out in excitement (okay, not really but you get the point). I have hunted for a good parts car for over 6 months in a 5 state area and here sits 2 moredoors 5 miles from my house!!!! Life is funny... I explain the whole situation to the frame guy and he is awesome about it all and lets me resell the frame on ebay while leaving it on his property. He said he would even help load it for the next buyer. The Question: What are the major main differences between the '49 and '50? I could see the heater/blower assemblies were different and the dash of course, and maybe some trim, but what else? Anything to steer me towards one more than the other? The Dilemma: The '49 is a 90% complete automatic with a little better sheet metal overall than the '50. The '50 however is a 3 speed manual and about 99% complete with a little more minor body damage (a few more dents and the usual rust and such). His asking price is the same for which ever one i choose to buy, and is a steal at $3500. I have already decided to buy, but I just don't know which one to go with. Help!!!
agreed! I'll see what I can do... also I should mention the heads are off the '50 and looks like they have been for a while. the '49 motor is all together.
49's have the more desirable dash. The 50-51 used the same dash, so 49 is unique. There are many differences between 49's and 50's. Heater, dash, grill is stainless on a 49, 50 is chrome. 49 fende trim is different, 49 park lights different, grill shell has different size vent holes in 49. Door handles are unique to 49. Hood trim, trunk trim, front vent windows, possibly 3 pc back window if early 49. 49 flathead used 5/8" pulleys where as 50 used 3/8". Also factory automatic was not available in a mercury till 51. Is the 50 an over drive car? Matt
I have a buddy looking for the rear sheetmetal, glass and trim for the rear window. If you wind up parting out the 49 let me know.
Matt, The one he says is a 50 is the one with the manual tranny, and it has the 50 dash. The one he says is a 49 is a 2 pedal car and does have the 49 dash. Im fairly certain i saw "overdrive" in the 49. On the heater/blower unit, which one had a big square "box" on the top of the blower? The 49 or the 50? I'll work on the pics tonight.
Either one is fine. I would pic the more complete one but the 49 with the mercomatic is cool..post up some pics ASAP!!! Sorry I've been flaking on the fender tubs too but looks like the funds might get diverted to to something better! Or offer him $5k for both!!
Without seeing any photos it's hard to say. Buy the one that is in the best condition, least rust and is structually sound with no frame rust out issues. The 49 dash is very desirable.
Okay...heres my 2 cents....the 49 looks to be in better condition from you pictures. The 49 has a more complete interior. The dash insert on the 50, may be pitted and very expensive to rechrome. The 49 has better glass (glass is expensive as it costs more than you anticipate). The bodies appear to be about the same, but can't see down low at the rockers on the 49. Either or, they would make great mild customs and I think 3000-3500 is a very good buy. I would go with the least rusty (cancer, not surface) and the most complete. From what I see in the pictures, I would go with the 49. About the dashes, it a matter of preference of course, but, the 49 would be easier and less expensive to restore.
i think i would take the 49 it does look a little nicer in pics. but crawl all over both of them and make your decision.your money your ride.
Buy them both. Take what you need. Send me the splash pan off the 50. Sell the rest on the HAMB. Theres nothing like that around here. Check out my 4 dr. 4 sale in the classifieds. I prefer the 50 dash.
I like the '49. I like the dash and the fact that you can swap in some newer gauges in the existing holes. It is very expensive to get a nice 50-51 dash insert and unless you go with one of those fancy digital setups, you're pretty much stuck with stock gauges. I also prefer the 49 front turn signal lamps, but that's an easy swap anyway. Since you started this hunt looking for a good frame, perhaps you need to get under them and judge from there. I guess we see that neither car is an automatic, so that doesn't matter anymore. Engine wise is a crap shoot. Cracks are your biggest enemy so see what you can see.
Neither one is an automatic. If they have a pull handle on the right side of the column they are OD's
i just got home to look at the pics on the computer. the 49 looks pretty clean tim. that dash is beautiful and it even has the radio surround. never no with that flathead. if you can get it to spin, the damn thing would probably run with a little work! very cool find.
Buy them both. Part them out and then buy a 2 door. Unless you can do most of the work yourself you will be amazed at what it's going to cost to rebuild those Mercs. So, sell them and put the money into a 2 door merc in better condition.
If you really want a 2 door this member in MN has a few cars, I've talked to him on the phone: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=689114&highlight=mercury Before you start chasing your tail, crack open a cold one decide what your plan is.
I'd like to buy them both as i already have 3/4's of a 1950 moredoor in my garage now. However, my pockets ain't that deep sadly... not with being in a middle of a bathroom remodel and a bike build. Im able to do most of the work myself (or learn) - given enough time, $, and beer!!!
The more doors are cool too. Atleast the mercs 49-51 have the suicide rear doors. I have owned a 50 4 dr a 49 4dr a 49 2 dr and a 50 2dr. All were projects. If yoy are really ambitious you could convert a 4dr to a 2dr like myself or Ether. Ether's car turned out fantastic. Just look up Area 51 merc build to see Ether's 51. You can part out either parts car and still make $ after you get what you want off of them. I made a really decent profit buying my cars out of local junk yards for scrap price and parting them out to finance my other builds. Either one you choose, good luck in your endeavors. If you need any technical info, etc, PM me as I have all the 49-51 Lincoln/merc shop manuals and body parts/chassis parts books. Matt
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