picked up another Merc last night...

[mk]

Finally went to pick up a 68 Merc I bought back in april. Towed it over to the shop compound so I could give her a look over. She'd been sitting on a farm for the last few years and the sheetmetal is pretty bad. The chewed up teeth on the 300's ring gear kind of told me why it was not being used anymore. The guy just never got around to fixing it. I was planning to strip the wiring, chrome, and whatever else was usable and then scrap it because I haven't got the time to do a full resto on it. Seems like a crime to do this to a truck with a good frame, matching numbers and a Merc title though.

mike

[crazyace99million]

you gotta do what you gotta do though. i agree it's sad

[wolfpack]

hey mike if i was you i would sit back and think for a sec a merc title and matching numbers? I mean if it's out of the way just let it sit and then decide what you want to do with it, who knows you may have sometime in the near future and wished you would of kept that old truck? besides how many times do you wished you would of kept the car in your youth?lol me there are a couple that come to mind...but if it was me I would keep it and maybe restore it down the road....Terry

[mk]

You're absolutely right, Terry Just kind of tired right now and need some motivation to see the big picture. Got looking at my other 68 Ford and spare parts and decided I've got enough sheetmetal to finish it right. Here's a couple of shots of what I've got to start with...

[wolfpack]

good deal mike just don't want you to regret it later besides that's not a bad beginning on that ford truck? My 71 is in far worse shape than that so that makes me want to part it out because the cab is pretty much toast and the bed has dents in it the only good thing on it is probably the motor and not for sure about that so i might tub it out since i have to start from scratch anyway.. so why not start from the frame and work my way up. Terry.

[Merc Man]

Your 68 merc is extremely rare and with that stamp it proves it was built before the end of march of 68 ,there is rumored to be only 3 to 4 thousand 68 merc trucks built in total (not rebadged after the end of march 68) .Are you sure you want to part it out ?

[mk]

No, I'm going to rebuild it. I finally found a place to park it so I can work on it. I've been talking to a guy at Ford's Oakville historical department about finding out when they did stop the Mercury truck production. He's digging into it. I've heard dates quoted but no one will get back to me with proof of what they say. I have, in my research and collecting of 67-8 Merc data plates and serial numbers, come across a few built in april and they appeared factory stock, not like some dealer changeover. Who knows? We'll find sooner or later.

mike

[trukcrazy]

Good decision Mike. Good luck with it.

[mk]

Thanks. Actually, it's a case of being project rich and cash/time poor. I know of at least three other doable 67-8 Mercs around here plus other interesting 67-72 Fords as well. Gotta get some focus...


mike