Armoured Car

[Guest]

My Dad recently purchased a 1940 Mercury 4-door sedan convertible. He has found steel plates in the under-carriage of the car and thinks this might be some type of armoured vehicle. Does anyone know anything about this? Any history? janoandbuster@hotmail.com

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Jano,<P>"Sedan convertible"?<P>A four-door car with a folding canvas top, right?<P>I would suggest that any plates on the under side were put there to add some stregnth to the chassis and body of the car.<P>Covertible versions of cars often had extra frame cross-members or "X"-bracing for additional stregnth over their sedan counterparts.<BR>Closed car bodies use the roof and door pillars to help support the weight of the body.<P>Aside from FDR's "Sunshine Special" , an "armored" open car sounds a bit idiosyncratic. <BR>Perhaps they used a Kevlar top?

[Guest]

Yes, it is four-doors with a folding canvas top. Apparently rather rare but in very good condition. <P>After further research we were thinking perhaps the armour or steel plates were there especially to protect the mechanics of the car under fire. I thank you for your suggestion that they might be extra support devices. I'll pass the word on to Dad so he can check out the possibility.<P>Jano