Any fan of the American automobile industry immediately criticize himself Title: First — in 1934, the year the company Mercury did not exist, and then — and the few pickups, which it manufactured after the war, had a very different form. And they are absolutely right.
A little history
Mercury brand to feed her son Henry Ford — Edsel, was launched in the late 30's, and it was intended for the production of cars, which would have filled a gap in the line of Ford between her eponymous budgetary and popular cars, and luxurious Lincoln, thus becoming " mid-price. " Brand was launched in defiance of their competitors GM's Buick and DeSoto from Chrysler. Before the war, and immediately after, Mercury sold under the brand name only "light vehicles", its first completely original, and in the late 40's they have become nothing more than a restyled Ford.
After a rather thorny history of the brand, which under the name of American advanced and beautiful European coupe Ford Capri and, to put it mildly unsightly Japanese subcompact Mazda, in 2011, Mercury finally died. But back to basics. On the «luxury» cars Mercury engines were originally used exclusively V8 — the very famous «Flett» with side valves, which, among other things, helped Ford cars to win the market in the 30's. Moreover, the first model was called — Mercury Eight, that is — «eight». Then it was about 239 cubic inches (about 4 liters), which was filmed with only 95 hp, although the pre-war standards, it was very bad...
At the time of pick-up they were still in the «arsenal» Mercury, but they are nothing more than rebredingovymi Ford, also designed exclusively for the Canadian market. After the war, he demanded to attract new customers who have «not kept» in the good old blue oval. As a result, it was no more than a series of pickups F, who not only became Canada's Mercury, but logically it received appropriate markings — just M. All of this happened since 1946.
It is noteworthy that in parallel in the same Canada showrooms Ford sold themselves pickups Series F, so that in reality hardly anyone misled this marketing ploy... But the Canadian version is not only carried the new grille, bedzhiki and logos but also had a few more high-revving engine, obviously, with the expectation of an extensive network of forest dirt roads of the country, especially in those days.
Most of them are still under its hood lies the same «Flett» in the end produces more than 20 years! Series M itself stood on the line until the end of the 60s, and then «play» with the rebranding pickups ended...
Considerable tricks «under the skin»...
The author of this never existed pickup 34'Mercury is quite famous in the hot roddovyh circles of Ricky Bobby, the owner of the eponymous «garage» Ricky Bobby Rod Shop, famous for the variety of different «types». On assurances of Ricky, it all started with the fact that he found in his «zagashnikah» «Flett» Mercury, and together with the original transmission in 1949.
Lost in thought about what they can do, he was born in a certain kind of a crazy idea — to build a pickup truck never existed with the stylistics Mercury 30s, so he looked like a «factory»! In other words, imagine how he could look like a pickup, is issued it does not exist at the time Mercury. Fortunately, Ford pickup in those days was more than enough, so that a «starting point» in reality there were no problems.
The cabin was taken from 34'Ford, as well as the chassis. But above both work hard. Typically, to lower the profile of the whole car «shredding» the cabin floor, it literally pushed onto the frame, and this technique is called «chenneling» (channel — from the word «channel»). However, Ricky Bobby is not looking for easy ways. It not only seriously shortened frame, but also to reduce its height in those places where it «is pushed» cab and frame, leaving a «powerful» profile just under the engine.
If the profile section of «rails» frame originally had a height of 7 inches (about 18 cm), it cut almost in half, making the so-called «boxing». Thus, in the cockpit was completely original floor and the tunnel under the transmission, and space for the driver and passenger. And this trick Ricky went on purpose.
... And «on the surface»
Actually cabin was subjected to the usual hot rods «choppingu.» That is, in the region of the windows have been cut out section, and quite severe — almost 9 cm). Naturally, this has reduced headroom in the cabin. That is why so serious and had to tinker with the frame — plant Bobby cockpit low on the frame by «chennelinga», he could not make the «chopping». And he made the double-declining profile, thus leaving more than acceptable in the cockpit...
Body of pickup seems quite homely, though in fact worked on it seriously. Taking the unit prewar pickup Ford, Bobby labored over it for the glory. To start the body was completely disassembled and shortened by 25 cm. Then eschk harder — with its sides disappeared niche-wheel arches, not to mention the wings themselves.
The main «measure» for the height of the body eventually become the rear wheels — so that they do not go beyond its dimensions in height.
The hinged body panel (tail-gate) of the post-war Canadian Mercury M-Series has also been seriously altered, or rather — made «from scratch». Headship then became the property of the inscription of the brand at the center, when everyone else turned around literally redraw the width of the body and the high-rise. It is noteworthy that in the closed position the cover keep tabs on the hood of an old Mercury. Inside is completely smooth and in general unremarkable floor «under the tree.» But what may struck supervisory «Rodder» because it's incredibly short distance between the cab and the body.
And Bobby would be so proud «remark.» To achieve this, he did and curved rear wall of the body at the bottom of it as close as possible to the cabin, as if to form an integrated structure with the kind... But perhaps the most interesting thing lies in front of this unusual hot rod.
The maximum «period moving...»
We remember that originally this was supposed to be a pick-up of some variation on the theme, «and if they did Mercury in the 30th.» So, actually, «filling» of the hot rod was also aimed at the most, if I may say so, originality, rather than achieving cardinality and speed characteristics. The original «Flatt» V8 Mercury from the early 50's in fact not modernized. On the contrary, it used almost all of the original components and spare parts only embellished the outside.
For here is a modern intake of carbs and Eddie Meyer Stromberg 97 famous firm specializing on these units.
With the engine used is just as original mission Mercury — it is a 3-speed manual, but with overdrive. It has a «divider» (or overdrive), and in those days it looked like the management to pull out, «Knob» on the dashboard. From any of the three gears, pulling it out, the driver puts the transmission in a more economical mode. When parking in the extended position overdrive transmission served as the handbrake...
Despite the fact that the old «Flett» develops only about 150 forces, and soon «more snarls than rides» Ricky did not deny himself the same tricks.
For the manufacture in his workshop a completely new bonnet on the sides, there are two specific tide. Typically, they are required to put in modest hood space 30–40th large modern V8, in particular, requires extensive space for the exhaust system. It is to cover exhaust manifolds of engines with conventional overhead valves and perform such tides. However, in this case — is not more than snag. After all, «flatheads» engines «Flett» literally exhaust system is integrated into the engine block, and they take up much less space in width than the modern «verhneklapanniki.»
Under the hood lies a modest pick-up of the «workhorse» of the last century, not a 800-strong «dregovy» monster of the XXI century. But taking into account the remaining hot roddovskih «beauty», Bobby can forgive him this prank (which alone is worth the wedge fit all pickup).
Last but not least it has contributed not only to a serious body work on «choppingu», but also the use of low 10 centimeters drop-down front axle from SoCal. In the rest of the original suspension — turning «kulaks» and levers (albeit severely altered) by 37'Ford. Behind the «perched» axis of 40'Ford on the arms of the twin Mercury — 39'Lincoln Zephyr. But if everything is more or less on the «hot roddovomu» prosaically, the interest will cause the wheel. Rather correct to say that they hide a secret, because the outside of the style they are completely identical.
Indeed, standing in front of old-fashioned original steel wheels from 16h4 40'Ford. But back to the reality of modern mounted aluminum wheels Circle Racing Wheels dimensions 18h7, adding wedge planting pickup.
They were carefully camouflaged «under the» retro bow «with original hubcaps 40'Mercury, which have been installed and the front. As a result, the wheels look the same...
... And inside too
Inside this «periodnoy» pick Ricky decided as close as possible to the spirit of pre-war times. Almost everyone, including the dashboard, «tidy», the steering column and the actual himself a huge 15-inch wheel from 40'Ford. However, where possible, Bobby «stuck» bedzhiki and buttons Mercury. Yes, it can be considered cheating, but we must not forget the appointment of a pickup truck, and that he had never existed! In this spirit of old Ricky Bobby masterfully crossed with hot roddovskimi trends.
Traditional Bench seat as the door card, upholstered vinyl «under the skin», but on the sides and over his head was painted in the same tone suede. For quite a massive hiding «old regime» transmission central tunnel it was treated with a polymer coating, giving it a rough look. On top of the tunnel and, as well as the austere metal dashboard, painted in body color.
«Fire-Wall» inside the cabin, too, was left «naked» metal, while the floor mats bed unsightly. Interestingly, the side of the driver's side is even possible to see the connections of brake system, going to the rear wheels of the modern... there can only be detected by a pedal stylish Kugel.
That is what is particularly proud of Bobby. Except for the pedals, carburetors and a pair of nozzles under the hood and rear discs of the day in his pickup truck «1934 release „were used only springs with shock absorbers and brake lines — all. The rest is only „period moving“ parts and „source“ Ford and Mercury vehicles 40s.
«Periodicity», and pickup attached to the windshield, which is on the old-fashioned can be folded forward on the upper arm, as it was made in the 30s...
Not having the spring of 2015 to finish his creation, not only the hands, but also the creative imagination, Ricky Bobby immediately went to one of the most famous forums Hot Rodder, where among other things he 34'Mercury pick up immediately took quite a prestigious prize for «homemade» — Good Guys Builder Choice.
However, the creation of a pickup truck, besides the self, Bobby pursued quite prosaic purpose — to make money. Soon this 34'Mercury was put up for sale for almost 60 thousand dollars and, I must say, it is not late in the declarations section, quickly found its happy owner...
