Canadian market oddities are a popular topic here at Curbside Classic, and we cover them every now and again. Just last week, we brought you the Pontiac Laurentian, with Chevy-based, narrow track mechanicals hiding beneath spiffy bodywork. And there is, of course, a parade of Plodges in our archives, most recently, a ’61 Dart Seneca. This Econoline truck, however, is even less differentiated than either of those; not really a marketing exercise as much as a bygone way of bringing Ford’s heavier-duty vehicles to rural locales with only a Mercury dealer (Canada is generally more sparsely populated, remember), the Mercury Econoline wasn’t intended to convey additional prestige over the more common Ford.
Having explained this story before, however, it seems appropriate to share Nifty43’s recent upload. As much as we’ve discussed Mercury’s Canadian presence, their small van and truck duo hasn’t gotten the expected visual representation. Thankfully, we can now attach a face to Mercury Econoline name, and it’s the same cute mug expected when the original Falcon-related (not quite Falcon-based) utility vehicle is mentioned, though the deletion of the wrap around rear quarter windows is unfortunate. Seats aside, this example is fully representative of the first Econoline’s honest charm and as the original trucklet wasn’t the hottest seller (compared to the van variant), this Mercury must be especially uncommon. Whoever had the vision to preserve and restore it is to be commended.
Note: a rerun of an older post.
Related Reading
Curbside Classics: Mercury Trucks – We Do Things A Bit Differently Up Here
Curbside Classic: 1963 Ford Econoline Pickup – Keep The Sand Bags Handy
Canada Day Classics: Canadian Ford Branding History
CC Brochure: 1966 Mercury Pickup Truck – For the Canadian Paul
! is this thing in Canada ? . I see the license plate frame for Blair’s Speed Shop in Pasadena, Ca., U.S.A., they’re still going and at the same location on Foothill Blvd.
This is a sweet truck, I wish you’d have included interior pictures .
In the very early 1960’s I logged a lot of miles in an Econoline Club Wagon in the extended Boston, Mass. area .
-Nate
The actual licence plate is from British Columbia.
WOW! I have never seen on of these. I have visited periodically in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, as well as trips to the Maritime Provinces. Never met one of these. Indeed, you are correct in that the person who preserved this is to be commended.
Found this one just a few weeks ago at a Calgary car show.
With wrap around rear quarter windows
With wrap around rear quarter windows
That is gorgeous, a classic little red wagon, and yes the wrap around windows make it.
Cool truck indeed. As I’m looking at that spare in the bed, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a “Whitewall AND Raised White letters on the same tire. I’m Assuming it was a “standard” WW, and he used one of those Tire lettering “Paint Pen” doohickeys. (Not a fan of that look, tbh, love the truck though).
Never seen one but have seen other Mercury badged Ford Commercials and other Canadian versions of American cars but no Econolines at all.