1948 Mercury Station Wagon Marmon-Herrington All-Wheel-Drive Conversion
- Colour
- Monsoon Maroon
The 1948 Mercury Marmon-Herrington all-wheel-drive station wagon is believed to be the sole surviving example of its type, one of only three known Mercury Marmon-Herrington woodies across all years. Marmon-Herrington converted complete Ford and Mercury vehicles to four-wheel drive by installing a four-speed truck transmission, heavy-duty transfer case, and reinforced chassis. With total 1948 Mercury wagon production limited to 1,889 units and an unknown but very small number receiving the costly all-wheel-drive conversion, this hand-built woodie represents an exceptionally rare intersection of coachbuilt craftsmanship and mechanical engineering. It underwent a documented nut-and-bolt restoration by a Midwest family and specialist woodworkers, and has since won Best of Show at multiple concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$207,200
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMidwest familypartial documentation
Acquired the car after locating it on the East Coast; commissioned a thorough nut-and-bolt restoration using bird's-eye maple and African mahogany through specialist woodworking firm Nickels Woodworking in Traverse City, Michigan.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownProminent private collectorpartial documentation
Has held the vehicle for roughly ten years; driven fewer than 200 miles since restoration completion, with appearances at shows in the Kansas City and Chicago areas.
Competition
- —Kansas City area showBest of Show
One of several show appearances after restoration; exact event name and date not specified.
- —Chicago area showBest of Show
One of several show appearances post-restoration; exact event name and date not specified.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationNickels Woodworking
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration carried out by a Midwest family after discovering the car on the East Coast. The wood body was rebuilt by specialist firm Nickels Woodworking using bird's-eye maple and African mahogany. All hardware and sheet metal was replaced as required using new-old-stock parts, and the Marmon-Herrington-specific components and badging were preserved. The interior was finished in Tan LeBaron Bonney three-seat leather and the exterior in Monsoon Maroon, both reported as factory-correct specifications.
Fewer than 200 miles have been accumulated since the restoration was finished.
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