This was a longer post but the board logged me out and I lost three paragraphs so Ill keep this one short. I am looking at a 51 Merc, rust free un-chopped but some dings and metal work needed. I am a Chevy guy tri-5's and 35,36's I am just wondering what the difference in body and deseriability is between the 49-50 and the 51. 49-50's seem to be joind in most descriptions but 51's seem to be on their own. The bodies look the same to me. What are the phyical and social differences between them. I just need some oval schooling. Thanks guys. Jim
Front fenders and hood is longer on the '51 as are the rear fenders. The hood on the '49/'50's comes straight down after the crown, the '51's flare out near the grill. Dash boards similar on the '50 & '51, '49 is only one year dash. I have a mild custom '49 but I think '51's make a better wild custom because tail light treatments can vary more with the extended rear fenders. See this post for more info and pic's. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150057
49s have an E I G H T in their center grille bar,50s have no lettering.49 bfront bumper guards heve a ridge in them 50s dont.49 parking lights are small and round.50s are larger and appear to be an extenton of the grille.49 has a 1 peice hood emblem with seperate letters and 50s hane a 1 peice emblem with another 1 peice emblem along the bottom of the hood,49 has a small mercury script on the front fender side trim whereas 50s have a raised section with the letters spread out alot further,49 has its own dash.49 door handles are pull handles whereas 50s are conventional push buttons under the door,50 was the first year for the Monterey which had a kick ass wheel and a vynil top along with the script on the door50 hubcaps are smooth and 49s say Mercury eight.a 50 rear bumper guard says mercury and a 49 has a ridge.Early 49s has 3 peice rear glass and late 49s and business coupes had 1 peice.All 50s had 1 peice glass.The trunk emblems are different.The 49 is long with a raised center and the 50s aremore compact. 51s are different in the grille shell,grille bumpers ,longer 1/4/ panel.dash trim rear window skirts parking lights splash pans and so fourth
So are 51's less desirable? I thought the 49,50 bodies were closer, Interesting there are so many differences thanks! I did kind of think 51's were longer but they seem to be kind of like 56 Chevies in the Tri-5 world, kinda the bastard children.. (when talked about)
51 Mercs rule.Certian people like one over the other.Ill take any one.The most famous and beloved merc ever done was a 51.If I didnt have a Merc I crack my grandmothers skull for 1.