This Mercury Eight got away, but there are more like it here.

This 1949 Mercury Eight coupe was acquired by the owner in 2017 and was customized over the following two years. Work included refinishing the car in silver, shaving and smoothing the exterior trim, redoing the interior with tan upholstery, and overhauling the brakes and suspension. Power is supplied by a 348ci “W” big-block Chevrolet V8 paired with a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Other features include custom black-powdercoated steel wheels, whitewall tires, front disc brakes, and a custom sound system with a Sony Bluetooth stereo, Alpine components, and an 8″ subwoofer. This modified ’49 Mercury is now offered on consignment by the selling dealer in North Carolina at no reserve with build receipts and a clean New Hampshire title.

No Reserve: Custom 1949 Mercury Eight

The car was refinished and rewired in 2019 by Retro Designs in Concord, North Carolina, where the stock exterior trim was removed and filled. Features include smoothed doors, an aftermarket front grille, and chrome trim. The selling dealer notes areas where the body filler is visible through the silver paint, and each side of the car is shown in the photo gallery below.

No Reserve: Custom 1949 Mercury Eight

Gloss-black powdercoated 18″ x 8″ front and 20″ x 9″ rear steelies with trim rings were custom-ordered from Detroit Steel Wheel Co. and are mounted with 225/45R-18 and 245/40R-20 Toyo Proxes whitewall tires in the front and rear, respectively. Suspension and steering components were replaced including ball joints, bushings, and tie rods. The front disc and rear drum brakes have been replaced, and KYB shocks have also been installed.

No Reserve: Custom 1949 Mercury Eight

The cabin was redone by Sewfine Upholstery of Concord, North Carolina with cinnamon-colored upholstery over darker carpeting. Aftermarket amenities include air conditioning, a Sony MEX-XB120BT Bluetooth stereo, Alpine 6″ x 9″ speakers and tweeters, and an Infinity BassLink SM 8″ subwoofer.

No Reserve: Custom 1949 Mercury Eight

A two-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of AutoMeter instrumentation that includes a 120-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. An analog clock is mounted in the center of the chrome-trimmed dashboard, and the five-digit odometer shows approximately 40 miles.

No Reserve: Custom 1949 Mercury Eight

The 348ci “W” big-block Chevrolet V8 was modified by Prestige Motorsports of Concord, North Carolina in 2017 with a four-barrel 570-cfm Holley Avenger carburetor, an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold, an Edelbrock Victor-series water pump, finned Offenhauser valve covers, a chrome dress-up kit, and more, as noted on receipts provided in the gallery. The engine bay was modified by Retro Designs to accommodate the alternator and the air-conditioning pump.

No Reserve: Custom 1949 Mercury Eight

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission. Additional photos of the underside are presented in the gallery.

No Reserve: Custom 1949 Mercury Eight

Receipts from 2017–2019 reportedly total more than $45k and are included with the car, a number of which are viewable in the gallery. The video below shows a start-up as well as a tour of the exterior, interior, and engine bay.

Auction Result

Winning Bid USD $41,000 by BobbyC
Auction Ended August 13, 2020 at 12:57PM PT
Bids 55
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BaT Essentials

Seller: AutoBarn
Listing Details
  • Chassis: 9CM181348
  • 40 Miles Shown, TMU
  • 348ci "W" Big-Block Chevrolet V8
  • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • Refinished in Silver w/ Smoothed Trim
  • Reupholstered Tan Interior
  • Bluetooth Stereo
  • Custom Sound System w/ Subwoofer
  • 18" & 20" Steel Wheels
  • Brakes & Suspension Overhauled
  • $45k in Receipts
Private Party or Dealer: Dealer
Additional Charges From This Dealer: USD $125 Document Fee
Lot #35097