Mercury Eight: years, generations, Cabrio body, engine and specs

The Mercury Eight is a Mercury car listed in three generations from 1939-01-01 through 1951-12-31. The body type in every generation in this catalogue is Cabrio. Across those three generations the catalogue records 2 versions, both named 4.2 MT, both in the 3 generation (1949-01-01–1951-12-31).

The Mercury Eight is a Mercury car listed in three generations from 1939-01-01 through 1951-12-31. The body type in every generation in this catalogue is Cabrio. Across those three generations the catalogue records 2 versions, both named 4.2 MT, both in the 3 generation (1949-01-01–1951-12-31). The 1 generation (1939-01-01–1940-12-31) and the 2 generation (1941-01-01–1948-12-31) have 0 versions in the data. Both 4.2 MT versions use a Gasoline 4184 engine with 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 112 hp (82 kW) at 3600 rpm, 271 Nm at 2000 rpm, no boost, a Manual 3-speed gearbox and RWD. Acceleration to 100, top speed, fuel consumption, kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank size and wheel sizes are not measured for either version.

People looking up a Mercury Eight car, a Mercury Eight convertible, a 1949 Mercury Eight, a 1950 Mercury Eight or a 1951 Mercury Eight are looking at the same catalogue model: three generations, Cabrio only in these records, and the only named engines in the file are the two 4.2 MT entries of the 3 generation. Coupe, sedan and police-car body labels do not appear in the data. A Mercury 8 hp 4-stroke outboard is a different product; this article is the Mercury Eight car.

Mercury Eight generations

The catalogue counts 3 generations. Restyling is not listed as a separate generation. Years below are the start and stop dates given for each generation.

1 generation (1939-01-01–1940-12-31). Body: Cabrio. Versions in the data: 0. There is no engine table, no gearbox line and no measured weight for this generation. A 1940 Mercury Eight for sale search still points at this generation’s years; the file does not list a named modification for 1939–1940.

2 generation (1941-01-01–1948-12-31). Body: Cabrio. Versions in the data: 0. The span includes 1941 through 1948. Searches for a 1947 Mercury Eight or a 1948 Mercury Eight fall inside these dates. No 4.2 MT or any other version name is attached to the 2 generation in the data.

3 generation (1949-01-01–1951-12-31). Body: Cabrio. Versions in the data: 2, both named 4.2 MT. Calendar years 1949, 1950 and 1951 sit inside this generation. 1949 Mercury Eight specs and 1949 Mercury Eight engine figures in this catalogue are the 4.2 MT figures below. The two 4.2 MT rows share power, torque, displacement, fuel type, cylinder count, layout, boost, gearbox and drive; they are not split by horsepower. They are split by rear suspension: one 4.2 MT lists rear suspension as Dependent, leaf spring; the other 4.2 MT has rear suspension not measured.

Mercury Eight engine and specs

Both catalogue versions are named 4.2 MT. Do not rename them. Power is the same on both rows (112 hp), so they are not two power levels of one name; they are two 4.2 MT records of the 3 generation, 1949-01-01–1951-12-31.

Shared engine and driveline (both 4.2 MT):

VersionGenerationYearshpkWNmDisplacementFuelCylindersLayoutBoostGearboxGearsDrive
4.2 MT (rear: Dependent, leaf spring)3 generation1949-01-01–1951-12-31112822714184Gasoline8V-shapedNoManual3RWD
4.2 MT (rear: not measured)3 generation1949-01-01–1951-12-31112822714184Gasoline8V-shapedNoManual3RWD

1949 Mercury Eight engine, 1950 and 1951: the only engine block in the file is this 4184 Gasoline unit with 8 cylinders, V-shaped, Carburetor, compression 6.8, 112 hp at 3600 rpm and 271 Nm at 2000 rpm. There is no second displacement and no Automatic gearbox in the data.

4.2 MT with rear suspension Dependent, leaf spring: front Independent, spring; rear Dependent, leaf spring; Drum front and Drum rear.

4.2 MT with rear suspension not measured: front Independent, spring; rear not measured; Drum front and Drum rear.

Fuel grade is not measured on both 4.2 MT rows.

Performance, mpg and top speed

For both 4.2 MT versions of the Mercury Eight 3 generation:

The 1 generation and the 2 generation have 0 versions, so 0–100, top speed and consumption are not measured there either. A comparison with a Hudson Hornet is not in this file: no Hudson figures are supplied, and no Mercury Eight 0–100 or top-speed number exists here to place next to another car.

Mercury Eight dimensions and weight

For both 4.2 MT versions:

1949 Mercury Eight dimensions, 1949 Mercury Eight weight and a generic Mercury Eight weight figure are therefore not measured in this catalogue. The 1 generation (1939-01-01–1940-12-31) and the 2 generation (1941-01-01–1948-12-31) also have kerb weight, gross weight, clearance, tank and wheels not measured, because they have 0 versions.

Which Mercury Eight version to choose

The catalogue offers a named choice only inside the 3 generation (1949-01-01–1951-12-31): two versions, both 4.2 MT. Arithmetic on the given numbers:

There is no higher-output 4.2 MT and no lower-output 4.2 MT. Choosing between them is not a power or gearbox decision. The listed difference is rear suspension: one 4.2 MT is Dependent, leaf spring at the rear; the other 4.2 MT has rear suspension not measured. Front suspension is Independent, spring on both. Brakes are Drum / Drum on both.

If the question is “which generation,” the only generation with a named engine in this file is the 3 generation Cabrio with 4.2 MT. The 1 generation Cabrio (1939-01-01–1940-12-31) and the 2 generation Cabrio (1941-01-01–1948-12-31) have 0 versions, so there is no 4.2 MT (or any other named spec) to pick for 1939–1948 in this dataset.

Problems and reliability are not in the launch data, so they are not stated as measured facts. Sale prices are not in the data and are not listed.