PETER HIBBERT`S 1948 MERCURY SERIES 89M (FORD) FOUR DOOR SEDAN HISTORY
This is an account of history (as known) of purchase, ownership & restorations.
My attraction to an early Mercury began when I was a member of the 11th Caulfield Scout Group that conducted meetings at Carnegie.
Among the group was a mate`s father owned the same model having the body colour black that he used as a limousine for hire & often drove a few of us around including to Scout camping trips & Jamboree`s. We would all cram into it up to 10 + the assistant Scout Master & off we go in the big strong powerful Mercury.
During early 1985, that memory prompted me to seek out one to restore & I read an article in an early issue of Custom Rodder magazine issue 68/1982 of Elwyn Stanley Kerle`s Thagoona Queensland based Strata Blue body colour Sedan telling of some history including that it was bought by his brother for $50 in 1973 from a local car dealer.
It went on to tell of mate Warren Keith buying it with the intention of using the engine (#2639804E) & running gear to build a hot rod but because of the Machinery Departments specifications, the scheme was scrapped.
It was left untouched for a few years being stored at Elwyn`s home & he decided to buy it from Warren & restore it to running condition mainly because of his passion of Ford product & possible future collector value. It was a part time project as funds allowed.
Elwyn had painted all the running gear orange & fitted a new vinyl trimmed interior. (I later painted all the running gear to factory satin black).
He attended a few Hot Rod outings & enjoyed showing it proving very reliable & enjoyable.
It arrived with the alloy wheels & I then fitted the correct 15” wheels & rag type tyres including ‘flapper’ type white walls & sold the 4 alloys/tyres.
At my later request, Elwyn wrote a comprehensive 9 page hand written history of all work carried out on the Mercury.
On the 10th July 1986, I replied with gratitude of his history experience & it is on my file however, far too much to include in this account.
He later offered it for sale at $5,000 ONO to another person. It then had a 1942 239 cubic inch S/V F/H engine/3 speed stock transmission.
As a result of that advertisement, it was purchased during 1985 by Brian Leembruggen of Raceview, Queensland.
I enquired of buying it & Brian mailed me a stack of photos of the alloy later style wheels how it was then which I copied & returned.
He preferred to keep the stock wheeled images. I agreed at April 1985 on a delivered purchase price to Melbourne of $7120.
During 1985, Tom Coulter (DEC`) of The Early Ford V8 Club of Vic sent me an invitation letter & Membership Application Form to join the club.
I mentioned to Tom I will restore the Mercury first, obtain a RWC & eventually joining the club mid 1986 & hold a life continuous membership of 35 years.
I have a copious restoration records of & owned & enjoyed it over decades.
I restored the Mercury altering the body paint colour from Strata Blue to black & being in very good condition & drove it for 21 years.
I can upon request, prepare a list of copious tasks keeping restoring & maintaining it a fine safe running order.
I have many progressive photographic memories to share.
Our family has enjoyed the interstate journeys, National events & weekends away with club members & their families.
It was sold to a Melbourne purchaser. My enquiries have failed to discover it`s whereabouts of late.
Keep on FORDIN` Peter Hibbert.