hey I was wondering if there was a way I could tell if my 1968 Mercury is actually a Mercury or a Ford?

 

This thread has some info, albeit on gen 4 trucks, but instructive nevertheless: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/931883-mercury.html

It's amazing how often Google searches for info on these trucks will turn up this forum.

 

What does your certificate of ownership say it is? Hard to fake that...
Not many '68s left.
Eric

 

You could also look on the underside of your hood for filled in "F O R D" holes.

 

You can also check the VIN.I think the Mercs were only made at San Jose or the Ontario plants.

 

No Mercury truck was assembled in San Jose CA .. because no Mercury truck was sold new in the US

1946/67: Tariffs existed between the US/Canada, so Ford & Mercury trucks assembled in Canada were only sold new in Canada.

When the tariffs were abolished in late 1967, Mercury trucks were cancelled.

How many 1968 Mercury trucks were assembled between August/December 1967 is unknown, as FoMoCo of Canada Ltd. THREW AWAY all the records decades ago.

1966/68 Ford/Merc trucks assembled in Canada use the same 11 digit VIN, Warranty Plate and codes stamped thereon as US trucks.

1966/68: The 5th digit of the VIN is the assembly plant code.

C = Oakville Ontario Canada Truck Assembly Plant.

1965 Ford/Merc trucks assembled in Canada have a completely different VIN, Warranty Plate and codes stamped thereon.

Sample 1965 F/M100 VIN: 4991014L-123456A / 1964 and earlier VIN's are reversed: 123456A-4991014L

 

[QUOTE=NumberDummy;15429277]No Mercury truck was assembled in San Jose CA .. because no Mercury truck was sold new in the US

1946/67: Tariffs existed between the US/Canada, so Ford & Mercury trucks assembled in Canada were only sold new in Canada.

When the tariffs were abolished in late 1967, Mercury trucks were cancelled.

How many 1968 Mercury trucks were assembled between August/December 1967 is unknown, as FoMoCo of Canada Ltd. THREW AWAY all the records decades ago...
___________________________________



Hmmmm.... where do I begin here...

First of all, Mercury trucks were indeed built at the San Jose plant from '66 -'68. This began because of the Auto Pact signed in 1965, allowing manufactured vehicles to cross the 49th tariff free. Thus, while the Oakville plant continued to build Mercs, they also began supplying the US market with Ford trucks as well. The line at Milpitas (San Jose) supplied western Canada with both Mercs and Fords from this point.
Fairy tales still abound regarding these trucks and the most often repeated is that the last one made came off the line in march '68. Now, to address this point and Bill's assertion that Ford's records from this time no longer exist, it is necessary to note that a gent in Arizona, Mr Kevin Marti, has obtained the Ford production records from 1967 forward and can tell you for a reasonable fee if you have that one of a kind Mustang or indeed an original Mercury truck. In fact, he has decoded the door tag info I obtained from a crusher bound '68 M350, confirming it's California factory built status as a Merc and that it was built on may 15, '68.
More information on '67/'68 Mercs here: Mercury Trucks 1967 1968 ID and details... - The FORDification.com Forums

mike

 

I only mentioned that because I swear I saw a Merc with a San Jose code on the plate (door plate).I'm glad you cleared that up.

 

Looks like it’s been a very long time since this thread was started but wanted to add my 10 cents; here is the Marti Report for my 68 Mercury. Hope this helps!