1955 Mercury M-100 Pickup

If you lived near the Canadian border during the 1940s, '50s, or '60s, you might remember Ford and Mercury sheet metal, wearing the Meteor or Monarch name plates. Ford trucks were also badge-engineered and sold as Mercury trucks.  As a point of history, Ford was in business in Windsor, Ontario by 1904, a year after the Ford Motor Co. was founded on the other side of the Detroit River.  Canadian-made Ford and Mercury trucks differed, for the most part, only cosmetically.  Many years it was just “Mercury” versus “Ford” letters on the hoods and pickup tailgates, plus distinctive medallions that set them apart.  Often there was a bit more glitz on the Mercury trucks, in keeping with their slightly-more-upscale image.  The mechanicals of both Canadian built truck brands were virtually identical.  Because of a smaller Canadian market, (Ford of Canada roughly sold one-tenth as many trucks as its US parent).  Canadian buyers had a smaller menu to choose from in terms of models, ratings and power-plants.  While American Fords got an all-new overhead valve V8 in 1954, the venerable flathead V8 soldiered on for another year in Canadian Fords, Meteors, and Mercury trucks.  Until 1956, only V8 engines were installed in all Canadian Ford cars and trucks, since no six-cylinder Ford engines were produced in Canada until the 223- cid six appeared in 1956.

This hay hauler turned orange dreamsicle is about as close to a resto-mod and street rodded as you can get without actually putting it in the category of either.  However, I'm going out on a limb and save for the snappy chrome wheels, front disc brakes, low front ride height and smooth running 312ci V8 engine, the original hauler look and charm has been retained.   This truck has the “chutzpah” to be a go-er and a show-er, all the while looking cool as a summer treat.
 
Exterior
Having benefited from frame off rebuild at some time in the past, we see retina searing orange paint covering the bulbous undulating body of this 1955 Mercury M-100.  With the gaps staying decently minded, and the mix of orange paint with the cream roof, all is looking fresh and chilly with only a single bubble in the paint on the bulbous hood.  A shiny chrome bumper hangs below the easily recognized chrome grille assembly but with a shining star of a twist in the form of the upper grille ornament.  Single halo style headlights flank the grille and the pontoon fenders meet up with the bulbous hood to provide a mouthlike surround.  At first glance our eyes deceive us with the hood badging, but it's correct...Mercury 100 graces the rear sides of the hood and is correct for a Ford of Canada hauler.  The door handles and small round mirrors are looking just great, and down low on the doors are complimentary pink zig zag graphics.  Covering the roof of this hauler from the Great White North is a custom cream paint job that blends expertly with the orange lower body.  The bed is rebuilt and adorned with oak flooring with stainless dividers and a black tonneau.  Gracing the driver's rear ponton fender is the full size spare tire that perfectly matches the 15-inch American Racing Torque Thrust wheels on all 4 corners.  I'm truly moved, but I'm just standing here looking at this baby craving something sweet.

Interior
A mixture of tan tweed and orange steel make up the fully restored door panels.  Some embossing is noted within the tweed, making up the swooping sections of this panel and is dressed by a bright and shiny chrome actuator and crank.  A near perfect bench seat in more tan tweed looks forward to a polished tilt steering column and orange painted metal dash.  We can see new Dolphin gauges within the custom polished bezel, which have black faces and neat white fonts in chrome bezels which are as shiny as they are cool.  A thick rimmed banjo style steering wheel with a central horn button is also noted.  Moving across the full metal jacket steel dash our eyes are drawn the orange peppered perfectly with chrome and black knobs and pulls.  The headliner has been custom covered with more tan tweed that wraps down around the rear of the car and down low, tan carpet with black carpeted mats covers the floor and is in very good condition.

Drivetrain
There is nothing better than looking at a superior finished engine, and the one is no exception in the form of a 312ci Thunderbird V8 Y-block engine.  A single 4-barrel carburetor feeds fossils and air through a cast iron intake manifold.  A 4-speed AOD automatic is on the rear, and power moves to the rear wheels via the factory 4.27 geared rear axle.  A huge shout out to all the chrome and polishing work under the hood along with the neat and concise wiring job.

Undercarriage
Nary any sign of invasive rust to be found, just a mix of orange black painted steel, road dirt, the bed boards and minor surface rust.  Leaf spring suspension is on front and rear, just like the factory did it, and for stopping power we note front disc brakes working with drums in the rear.  Power steering has been added to make the cruise a touch smoother and a clean stainless steel exhaust system flows from engine mounted ram horn style manifolds and exits underneath the rear roll pan of the truck.

Drive-Ability
With a twist of the key the truck fired up with a mighty roar and settled into a smooth and unassuming idle.  On the test track, acceleration was endless, braking was solid and bias free, and handling was surprisingly agile for a truck of this vintage, even with the factory style suspension.  All functions were working during our drive and I couldn't get enough of the cushy seating.

Other than commenting it is just a great build, good fit and finish overall, and a well-done bed, I say not much else because my jaw is on the floor, and my eyes wide open in amazement of this rare truck version of a restomod street rod mix.  If the retina searing orange from the paint doesn't blind your opponent from the starting line a press of the gas pedal will…she's a Mercury boys and girls!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.