Woodie station wagon 1953 Mercury Woodie station wagon--last year of real wood

Description for Mercury Monterey 1953

1953 Mercury Monterey Woodie 8 pssgr. station wagon. A rare survivor. Unique opportunity to have it and either drive or restore it. I have done some of both. Final year of real wood on sides and flathead engine. It is a “twenty/twenty-five footer”. Solid, straight frame, body above floors, and all wood except a couple of partly warped pieces and a couple of pieces with cracks. Older re-paint of original Sherwood Green is in fair shape. Chrome on front and sides (rear bumper painted grey at some point) is decent for its age and thinness (Korean Conflict restrictions on use of nickel). Interior, especially the seats (all three) and door panels, headliner, and dash are in quite good shape. Rusted front and middle floors, rocker panels, and rear (and partial fronts) quarter panels were all covered some years ago with panels of sheet metal riveted into place and bondo. Floors going rearward from under the middle seat are in better shape and mainly original..

I have had the engine rebuilt. It starts and runs smoothly. I have also replaced starter, battery, clutch, fuel pump, rear brake drums (used) and shoes and cylinders, exhaust system (with a stainless system) windshield, most all e-brake mechanisms including front and rear cables, and some electrical wiring and connections. There are still mechanical bugs to be worked out and I have thus driven it only for short distances so far. Engine does slowly seep oil, probably out of front seal. The original Bendix overdrive and/or its manual cable mechanism and/or electric parts need work as overdrive is stuck on “in.” The original Bendix TreadleVac power brake system, an early power assist system running solely on vacuum from the intake (aided by a reserve cannister underneath), operates well. The car has a current state inspection sticker. Odometer shows 49300, which I was told was actual; however, based on what I have seen, I believe that the actual mileage is 149,300. But note, there are only about 500 miles on the rebuilt engine.

Unfortunately, I no longer am able to do the work I need and want to do myself on this car, and I also no longer have the room for this large wagon. My reserve is a good deal less than the money I actually have into the car. It is one of a kind--there will never be another made with my Merc's plain grain Hard Maple harvested at Henry Ford's beloved Iron Mountain on Michigan's Upper Peninsula and with rock solid US steel!

Added condition of sale: Purchase funds--cash, bank check, or wire-- must be cleared and available in my account before I release keys and title.