Monday, December 19, 2022

Further 1939 Ford-Mercury Comparisons

A while ago I compared 1939 Mercury and Ford styling.  For model years 1939 and 1940, the new Mercury Eight brand had a unique body set.  Thereafter, Mercurys shared bodies with Fords and Lincolns (though not both for the same year).

Given that history of Ford Motor Company brands sharing bodies, along with the similarity of '39 Mercury and Ford sedans, it is easy to casually assume that 1939 models of both brands also shared bodies.  A number of similarities and differences were treated in the post linked above.  The present post features side views of sedans and coupes to further compare their styling.

Besides different bodies, Fords and Mercury had different wheelbases.  The Mercury wheelbase was 116 inches (2946 mm) and Fords were 112 inches (2845 mm).  Both brands looked stubby compared to competing General Motors cars.

Gallery

1939 Ford DeLuxe Fordor Sedan - for sale
Ford sedans were redesigned for the 1938 model year and facelifted for 1939 and 1940.

1939 Mercury Eight Town Sedan - Mecum auction photo
Mercury side windows had slightly more rounded profiles than Ford's.  The roofline is a bit more curved at the rear.  Its A-pillar is more slanted.  The rear fender has a higher profile and therefore looks more full.  Its front fender is more in the boxy, "suitcase" mode than the Ford's.  Hood profiles seem quite similar.


1939 Ford DeLuxe Coupe - Mecum
Ford's '39 coupe seems partly based on the 1937 body.

1939 Mercury Eight Sedan Coupe - Mecum
Mercury's coupe is more modern, the window framing being similar in spirit to Hayes Coupes on 1939 Chrysler Corporation brands.

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