Yeah, I'd definitely be happy. Delirious, even.

The '49 doesn't do anything for me, but one of these on the other hand would make me very happy...

or

or

Edited September 24, 201212 yr by Cubical-aka-Moltar

Oh, for a '49-50 coupe!

Always loved the 1969-'70 Marauder. The 429 was a happenin' engine.

Took my driver's test in a '71 Marquis Brougham 2-door hardtop. I'd dearly love to have that car now.

My favorite Merc:

Where these really that big a step up from a same year Ford?

Well it is a much more substantial looking car than the '49 Ford, which was revolutionary in its own right, with full integrated fenders. I'd like to see some body measurements on the two, to see how much bigger the Mercury was than the Ford... if at all. It may just be styling tricks making me think that.

EDIT: apparently, the Mercury had a 118" wheelbase and was 206.8" long. The Ford was on a 114" wheelbase and stretched 196.8".

Edited September 26, 201212 yr by ocnblu

The Merc had a 4 inch longer wheelbase and was about 10 inches longer.

49 Ford 226 CID (3.7 L) L-head I6

239 CID (3.9 L) Flathead V8 100 HP Wheelbase 114 in (2,896 mm) Length 196.8 in (4,999 mm) Width 71.7 in (1,821 mm) ^[2]

49 Mercury Engine 255 cu in (4.2 L) Flathead V8^[4] Wheelbase 118.0 in (2,997 mm)^[4][5][6] Length 206.8 in (5,253 mm)^[4][6]

The Mercury body was also used for the junior Lincoln from '49-51.

Edited September 26, 201212 yr by Cubical-aka-Moltar

Ford & Merc were completely different cars in the '49 period. Lincoln did use the same shell as Merc, but with a unique, longer front clip.

Right around 1959 was a unfortunate period in the domestic industry; both Chrysler & Ford saw a distinct consolidation in the lines.

The DeSoto Firesweep model always bugged me, what with its Dodge front clip tacked onto the rear 2/3 of a Chrysler.

Loved the Fireflite and Adventurer though. Especially the Adventurer.