The Ford Barn

signsup · 02-19-2025, 02:12 PM

Got the 42 Mercury in line for the US Army staff car project. I don't know what I don't know and I don't know what I don't have if I don't have it. So, trying to get basic information on where things are located and what is supposed to be present and what pictures might help with interior, dash knobs, radio and speaker grill, rear parcel shelf, vacuum line wiper routing, correct radiator and hose placement, etc.
I'm seeing lots of possibilities on books for Fords which may or may not be what I need. This will not be a museum quality restoration, but an impression of a WWII military vehicle. But a correct starting point would be helpful. I'm trying not to do anything that will affect someone down the road putting it back stock. I'm using existing holes where possible.
Any guide recommendations appreciated. I'll hang up and listen.

petehoovie · 02-19-2025, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signsup

Got the 42 Mercury in line for the US Army staff car project. I don't know what I don't know and I don't know what I don't have if I don't have it. So, trying to get basic information on where things are located and what is supposed to be present and what pictures might help with interior, dash knobs, radio and speaker grill, rear parcel shelf, vacuum line wiper routing, correct radiator and hose placement, etc.
I'm seeing lots of possibilities on books for Fords which may or may not be what I need. This will not be a museum quality restoration, but an impression of a WWII military vehicle. But a correct starting point would be helpful. I'm trying not to do anything that will affect someone down the road putting it back stock. I'm using existing holes where possible.
Any guide recommendations appreciated. I'll hang up and listen.

rockfla · 02-19-2025, 03:02 PM

By and large, Us Mercury guys are out on a Island... I have two 39's and a 40. There is NO "restoration guide" that I know of for 39-42 Mercury's. Especially for the 42....the lowest production year of the 4!!!!

signsup · 02-19-2025, 05:07 PM

Are there any 42's out in museums somewhere? Since I am doing it as a military staff car, the door panels are probaly not going to be Mercury Town Sedan pattern or material but a more military canvas/leather in appearance, but a starting point would be nice. Bubba has wall to wall carpet on the floor, dash, door panels and head liner. A nice look if I were working for Monsanto.

rockfla · 02-20-2025, 08:04 AM

signsup

Ironically, the ONLY 42 Mercury's I have seen in person and was "around" any length of time was the "MOST" rare of the 42 Merc's, a convertible....a friend here in town bought it new and owned and drove it pretty much as his daily driver up into the 90"s (I believe). He sold it to a collector up in Maine and its now restored and proudly shown in that collection. The second being at Pebble Beach some 20 years ago was also up there as "MOST" rare was a 42 Mercury Woody owned by Nick Alexander (at the time). I would imagine, IF you are doing a Military Staff Car, you would look to the 41-42 Ford staff cars. We are doing a 41 4 door as one, have all the "military" bits and pieces to make one, but utilizing the original interior that is in the car!!!!
I would never say "NEVER" but My guess would be.....IF a 42 Mercury was sold to the military for a staff car....I would imagine it was less than a handful.....AND that IF they were, they would have most likely been given to a pretty high rank officer because of it being nicer than a Ford, THUS, most likely retained the "original" interior!!!! That would be my guess/opinion!!!!

corvette8n · 02-20-2025, 08:28 AM

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I sure for military use Ford used the base model interior, and the outside would be devoid of chrome. Any of the deluxe or super deluxe items would not be used.

Try browsing for vehicles photos here.
https://www.archives.gov/research/st...wars#ww2photos

Seth Swoboda · 02-20-2025, 09:56 AM

That wall to wall carpet is wild. I especially like the rope they used for windlace.

signsup · 02-20-2025, 11:40 AM

After I peel all the carpet and rope off this car, I may box it up and offer it up as a Bubba interior mod. I think in the pics I already peeled off the Pep Boys bench seat covers. And, you think the interior is Bubba, just wait till you open up the hood. It's a JC Whitney catalogue.

corvette8n · 02-21-2025, 04:44 PM

Found a 42 Ford for inspiration.

https://www.hagerty.com/marketplace/...8-c018893ea975

petehoovie · 02-21-2025, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvette8n

Found a 42 Ford for inspiration.

https://www.hagerty.com/marketplace/...8-c018893ea975

02-19-2025, 03:02 PM	#3
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 4,807	Re: Restoration guide recommendations for 1942 Mercury By and large, Us Mercury guys are out on a Island... I have two 39's and a 40. There is NO "restoration guide" that I know of for 39-42 Mercury's. Especially for the 42....the lowest production year of the 4!!!!

02-19-2025, 05:07 PM	#4
signsup Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 201	Re: Restoration guide recommendations for 1942 Mercury Are there any 42's out in museums somewhere? Since I am doing it as a military staff car, the door panels are probaly not going to be Mercury Town Sedan pattern or material but a more military canvas/leather in appearance, but a starting point would be nice. Bubba has wall to wall carpet on the floor, dash, door panels and head liner. A nice look if I were working for Monsanto.

02-20-2025, 08:04 AM	#5
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 4,807	Re: Restoration guide recommendations for 1942 Mercury signsup Ironically, the ONLY 42 Mercury's I have seen in person and was "around" any length of time was the "MOST" rare of the 42 Merc's, a convertible....a friend here in town bought it new and owned and drove it pretty much as his daily driver up into the 90"s (I believe). He sold it to a collector up in Maine and its now restored and proudly shown in that collection. The second being at Pebble Beach some 20 years ago was also up there as "MOST" rare was a 42 Mercury Woody owned by Nick Alexander (at the time). I would imagine, IF you are doing a Military Staff Car, you would look to the 41-42 Ford staff cars. We are doing a 41 4 door as one, have all the "military" bits and pieces to make one, but utilizing the original interior that is in the car!!!! I would never say "NEVER" but My guess would be.....IF a 42 Mercury was sold to the military for a staff car....I would imagine it was less than a handful.....AND that IF they were, they would have most likely been given to a pretty high rank officer because of it being nicer than a Ford, THUS, most likely retained the "original" interior!!!! That would be my guess/opinion!!!! Last edited by rockfla; 02-20-2025 at 08:39 AM.

02-20-2025, 08:28 AM	#6
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,198	Re: Restoration guide recommendations for 1942 Mercury Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I sure for military use Ford used the base model interior, and the outside would be devoid of chrome. Any of the deluxe or super deluxe items would not be used. Try browsing for vehicles photos here. https://www.archives.gov/research/st...wars#ww2photos Last edited by corvette8n; 02-20-2025 at 08:38 AM. Reason: Added link

02-20-2025, 09:56 AM	#7
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,079	Re: Restoration guide recommendations for 1942 Mercury That wall to wall carpet is wild. I especially like the rope they used for windlace.

02-20-2025, 11:40 AM	#8
signsup Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 201	Re: Restoration guide recommendations for 1942 Mercury After I peel all the carpet and rope off this car, I may box it up and offer it up as a Bubba interior mod. I think in the pics I already peeled off the Pep Boys bench seat covers. And, you think the interior is Bubba, just wait till you open up the hood. It's a JC Whitney catalogue.