The Ford Barn

signsup · 01-20-2025, 05:03 PM

Verified the serial number found on the trans cover as a late January/early February 1942. I'm calling it a Town Sedan, but not exactly sure differences from other Mercury 4 drs. Interior is all Bubba so can't tell from upholstery trim level.
Going through it and trying to take it back to stock but perhaps not factory stock, just what makes sense. Has been converted to 12v with 12v gauges mounted to plywood plate in radio position. Original radio in parts tote along with 6v starter. High torque 12v starter, alternator, new Holy 94 carb with after market street rod air filter. Original carb in parts tote, but no air cleaner. Got one coming hope will be correct from eBay.
Original bias ply tire and wheel in trucnk. Original hubcaps and trim rings and all trim present. Trunk handle broken but enough left to grab and open. Runs and drives. Street rod aluminum radiator, but original coming and will take to rad shop for testing and cleaning before installing.
A ton of pics, but here are a few.
ps, the purists are going to stone me, but game plan is to restor/create as Gregory Peck's staff car in the 1949 film, Twelve O"Clock High. That was a 42 Ford Super Deluxe, but this one followed me home and is the same body shell, so will pass the 10 ft test except for grill.

V8guy · 01-20-2025, 05:24 PM

Nice should be a fun driver

mercman from oz · 01-20-2025, 05:27 PM

Congratulations on your new purchase - 1942 Mercury Town Sedan.

GB SISSON · 01-20-2025, 05:27 PM

Looks great to me. I think you'll pass muster here. Maybe someone wants your merc grille and will trade you for a more common ford one. Besides, yours will be paint grade so you can get away with a bit of filling etc. I grew up with the TV version of Twelve o'clock high and just watched 'Masters of the Air', but haven't seen the original movie. I'll get right on it. Best of luck with your project, we'll be happy to help.

mercman from oz · 01-20-2025, 05:30 PM

1942 Mercury Town Sedan as illustrated in the Original Sales Brochure

GB SISSON · 01-20-2025, 05:38 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I was just informed that a merc and ford grille are not at all interchangeable. Shows what an old truck guy knows about mercurys!

farmertom · 01-20-2025, 05:40 PM

Signsup,looks like a real solid car,and all the trim is there and not dinged,or bent. Tom.

signsup · 01-20-2025, 05:59 PM

Solid as a rock. Doors close like a tank. Yes, the 42 Ford grill was a one year item and getting a Super Deluxe from another year would involve replacing almost the entire front clip. And, I could have gone with another year Super Deluxe, but this one fell into my lap and being a possibly rarer car than the Ford, I'll play with this one. Understand that the Mercury was 4" longer than the same Ford and the 4" was in the cowl and front fenders. Doors came all the way out to the running boards so the interior seats are wider.

TomC750 · 01-20-2025, 07:08 PM

Great to have a '42, uncommon as they are. And yes, it looks super straight. The last '42 I saw was planted on a 4wd chassis. I about cried.

signsup · 01-20-2025, 08:28 PM

Is there a national data base where I should register the serial number? PO had registrations and paperwork back to the '80's using a M9733 number so they were unaware of the serial number. I've heard of some extremely low numbers for production of the 42 Town Sedan and would be interested to know how many drivers are out there.

01-20-2025, 05:24 PM	#2
V8guy Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Milwaukee Wi Posts: 91	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Nice should be a fun driver

01-20-2025, 05:27 PM	#3
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 12,013	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Congratulations on your new purchase - 1942 Mercury Town Sedan.

01-20-2025, 05:27 PM	#4
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,881	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Looks great to me. I think you'll pass muster here. Maybe someone wants your merc grille and will trade you for a more common ford one. Besides, yours will be paint grade so you can get away with a bit of filling etc. I grew up with the TV version of Twelve o'clock high and just watched 'Masters of the Air', but haven't seen the original movie. I'll get right on it. Best of luck with your project, we'll be happy to help. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-20-2025, 05:30 PM	#5
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 12,013	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home 1942 Mercury Town Sedan as illustrated in the Original Sales Brochure

01-20-2025, 05:38 PM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,881	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I was just informed that a merc and ford grille are not at all interchangeable. Shows what an old truck guy knows about mercurys! __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-20-2025, 05:40 PM	#7
farmertom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: iowa Posts: 257	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Signsup,looks like a real solid car,and all the trim is there and not dinged,or bent. Tom.

01-20-2025, 05:59 PM	#8
signsup Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 201	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Solid as a rock. Doors close like a tank. Yes, the 42 Ford grill was a one year item and getting a Super Deluxe from another year would involve replacing almost the entire front clip. And, I could have gone with another year Super Deluxe, but this one fell into my lap and being a possibly rarer car than the Ford, I'll play with this one. Understand that the Mercury was 4" longer than the same Ford and the 4" was in the cowl and front fenders. Doors came all the way out to the running boards so the interior seats are wider.

01-20-2025, 07:08 PM	#9
TomC750 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 272	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Great to have a '42, uncommon as they are. And yes, it looks super straight. The last '42 I saw was planted on a 4wd chassis. I about cried. __________________ TomC750 1949 8NV8 Ford tractor 1930 1 Ton White 1941 Mercury Sedan Coupe

01-20-2025, 08:28 PM	#10
signsup Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 201	Re: 42 Mercury Town Sedan Followed Me Home Is there a national data base where I should register the serial number? PO had registrations and paperwork back to the '80's using a M9733 number so they were unaware of the serial number. I've heard of some extremely low numbers for production of the 42 Town Sedan and would be interested to know how many drivers are out there.