This picture was posted on FB today. I don't think they ever made a Mercury Ranger but I could be wrong. Someone could have put a Mercury front clip on a Ford panel and cut the side windows in but if you look at the rear quarter it looks like it had the ribs for the Mercury panel trim to fit in and the windows look exactly like a Ranger's windows. Maybe it's a Seifert ambulance? Whatever it is I want it, bondo and all!

Has anyone seen one or have information on a Mercury Ranger.

 

Bob, you find a guy that can install correct looking Ranger windows in regular panels like ours. Get yours done, and if it turns out well, I'll have mine done. LOL.

Jim

 

Never.....heard of one. Mark Mossell's register of known survivors includes none.

But I'd also never previously heard of a 1951 M-3 M-H (R32-4) like showed up here a few years ago. That M-3 had been converted at the Indy M-H plant after having been built at Windsor and sent across the border for its conversion. We'd seen some conversions done by the M-H agent in Canada, Traction Unlimited, for export. But sending a truck across the border back then wasn't the easy task it is today. Even if we assume your pictured truck is "only" a Siebert conversion like an ambulance, etc, not a Siebert / M-H combo, that also would have entailed cross border trade. I agree the window treatment looks like the correct Siebert style. There is much we don't know about the history of these trucks. Stu

 

Stu, I wonder how much it would be worth. I'm trying to find out where it is, in Canada I'm assuming. If it is either a Seibert and/ or M-H I would think there's a chance there would be some badging on it.

 

Jim, I don't think it would too hard to replicate the Windows. They formed around wooden forms. I would like to do my panel but first I'd want to study an original truck, make drawings and take a boat load of pictures.

 

Canada is a big place. Finding it, hard. Buying it, not cheap. Shipping it, not cheap. But, worth having if you connect the dots, and can get it titled.

This below Siebert has interested me. No idea where it is/was, etc. But sure would be a great donor for window sections. Stu

 

If only I had and endless supply of money and time.

 

Bob, you get the Ranger window thing down, and you can start taking orders. Who wouldn't like Ranger type windows in their panel? I must say though that I have seen some pretty sad attempts at adding windows to panels. It would have to look factory to attract potential customers. The next step for you could be seats-- then headliners and upholstery--and then 4 wheel drive conversions...Pretty soon you could have a reality TV series. Fame and fortune could be yours. Bob, you would be perfect. LOL.

Jim

 

Yeah Jim, in " reality" TV land I'd buy trucks for half the price sellers are asking, slather a couple of gallons of mud on them, cut holes in the sides, install Lexon and sell them non-stop to either millionaire twenty somethings or aged baby- boomers who seem to be smart enough to make a fortune but too stupid to not overpay for car that is half the final sale price.

 

Bob , just exactly where is this gold mine located ? Am tempted to make a recon mission trip to Donn Pooles in Sask . Canada just to look & take pics . I know better than to take $$ or a CC card w/ me to a place like that .
AT the Nat's in Knoxville '06 a green '52 Ranger was parked right next to us in the swap area . That was a tough 2 days. Ground was damp from salivation .

 

Denny I asked but haven't gotten a reply. The FB post has gone from being an abandoned vehicle to a rare, valuable vehicle so I'd bet the poster, if it was his original picture or knew where it was at, by now would want to keep the location a secret.

I met a guy in Barrie Ontario who restored and sold strictly Mercury trucks, mainly Bonus Built trucks. The guy was a total ***, about the only bad egg I've ever met while in the truck hobby. I don't know if this could have been a picture of some of his trucks. He was out in the country and had a large field across from his house that was filled with projects and parts trucks. His immediate yard had a dozen restored Mercury trucks. It was in his late 60s twenty years ago so I don't know if he's still kicking. He did have an assistant so maybe he carried on.

 

Was it this one? Stu

 

That Mercury looks like the real thing to me. Stu, isn't that yellow one a '51? - and what's up with the front hubs? Must not be a M-H front axle. You guys have probably already discussed it, but Motor Trend had an article on a restored '51 Ranger earlier this year. Listed as perfect, but I see some things that aren't quite. Take a look at the fuel line, torque springs, head bolts, etc. Did the panel trucks have that extra bracing on the frame? The stamping on the data plates could have been much better, too. Do you guys think this one started out as an original, or is it a replica? There are 39 pictures in the link if you can wade through all of the advertising. - Bob

Find of the Week: 1951 Ford F-1 Marmon-Herrington ?Ranger?

 

What ever Ford built for trucks the same were available at Mercury dealers badged as Mercury's.

Looking at the terrain, flora and other cues my guess is this is either in Alberta or some where in B.C.

 

Yeah, Bob, that's a '51. Thought the one Denny mentioned might have really been a '51 instead of a '52. And good eye on the Jeep front axle. It's the only greenish Ranger that I've known to have been for sale. But it is a real one.

This is the "before" picture to the group of "after" pics on your linked site. Chuck described to me his efforts in sourcing a correct axle, and the many other parts needed for the restoration. His help on the truck ended before they took the wrong turn on the garish woodie interior. Maybe Chuck will drop by to comment. I'll let him describe the money spent on the restoration! Stu