Mercury M-Series

Mercury M-Series
Unrestored 1949 Mercury M47 ½ Ton
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercury (Ford)
Production	1946–1968
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size pickup truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive Front engine, four-wheel drive
Chronology
Successor	Ford F-Series (1967–1972)

The Mercury M-Series is a pickup truck that was produced between 1946 and 1968 by Mercury, primarily for the Canadian market. Early versions often came with a higher output (CM-1 designated) Mercury/Ford flathead V8 engine over and above the unique Mercury-specific grille, badging and trim that adorned every Mercury M-Series truck.

The M-Series was introduced in Canada because smaller communities had either a Ford dealer or a Lincoln-Mercury-Meteor dealer, but not both; a Mercury truck line offered more opportunities for truck sales.

Between 1948 and 1968, Ford of Canada used the "F" prefix for Ford and "M" for Mercury. From 1948-1950 nominal tonnage ratings were replaced by a series designation in which the numbers indicate the GVWR when equipped with tires of appropriate capacity. Each code number is arrived at by dividing the GVWR of the series by 100. Thus an F-47 (M-47) indicates a GVWR of 4700 lbs., F-135 (M-135) indicates 13500 lbs., etc. Each truck series is rated to its GVWR. In 1951-52 Ford of Canada got back in step with Ford USA with F-1 (M-1), F-2 (M-2) etc. (GVWR = gross vehicle weight rating - weight of chassis, cab and body, plus payload)

Alongside the re-badged Ford F-Series pickup trucks, Mercury sold its own versions of the Ford medium-duty trucks, the B-Series bus chassis, and the C-Series cabover. The first generation of the Ford Econoline was also available as a Mercury. Similarly, the first generation Ford Ranchero was also sold under the Meteor marque in Canada.