Hooniverse Wagon Wednesday – Meet the Big Kahuna, A 1965 Mercury Commuter Wagon


Welcome to another edition of Hooniverse Wagon Wednesday. During the 50s and 60s, Mercury produced some of the most unique wagons offered by any Detroit based Auto Maker. They had other-worldly features, pillarless hardtop styling, and were among the best equipped wagons of their time. By 1965, Mercury shared their wagon body with Ford, and the styling wasn’t as outstanding as it once was, and they sold in greater number because of it. However, the seller of this particular wagon created something a bit different, and the result is… tropical? Say hello to the Big Kahuna…


According to the Hemmings Listing:

This car has been done in a “What-if” style. What if back in 1965 there were a “Big Kahuna” option. In fact, many people ask if the car came this way from the factory. Every effort has been made to give this wagon an authentic 1960’s look.

Built April 6, 1965 in St. Louis, this is a 100% Rust-Free survivor. Outside is stock, in original repaint color, except for the stainless steel laser-cut fender emblems, wheels, and tires. Inside has been redone in “Surf Wagon” theme, with weatherproof fabric panels, Thunderbird-inspired upholstery, mahogany surfboard armrests, and satin almond trim.

The original 390 4-valve “Z” code Super Marauder, with 4-barrel carb. has less than 100 miles on a total rebuild. Hardened sleeves and electronic ignition have been added, in addition to a period-appropriate air cleaner.


There has been a lot of work done to this wagon to justify the $20,000 asking price. It includes the build sheet, owners manual, and a dealership brochure. It is a very unique item, but is it worth the asking price? See the Hemmings Listing here.

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  1. vwminispeedster Avatar
    vwminispeedster

    I approve of this trim level.

    1. craigsu Avatar
      craigsu

      Until you reach for one of the crank handles and can't find it amongst the foliage.

  2. muthalovin Avatar

    Surfboard arm rests. Hellz yes.
    $20k for a vehicle with a rebuilt motor is probably too much, but I love it. It is super clean, and I think at that price, it will sell quick.

  3. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    I applaud the guy for going with a theme but not going overboard. The floral door panels almost send it over, but honestly, I think they work.

  4. $kaycog Avatar
    $kaycog

    It's a beautiful wagon, but those floral door panels are a bit much for me.

  5. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Plastic hula girls on the dash do not a surfer's special make. This one is very meh to me. I don't like the cloth – it looks more suited to Granny's sofa than a beach wagon. As for the rest, not enough has been done to justify $20,000 for a non-air-conditioned low-line Merc wagon. Half the price should put you in a really nice and loaded Colony Park of the same vintage. Pass this one by.

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      Agreed, the Colony Park would be better to start with, and it needs air conditioning, unless it's actually located in Hawaii. And where's the dot in the "i" in Big Kahuna? And, yeah, the flowered pattern looks more at home in Grandma's house than Don Ho's.

      1. Jim Brennan Avatar
        Jim Brennan

        Appear

  6. Van Sarockin Avatar
    Van Sarockin

    Beautiful, complete and tasteful job on a great survivor. I'm not really down with the door panel fabric, but that's easy enough to change. You can see that a ton of work went into this, and it looks to be sound and well done, but I would never lay out twenty grand for a forty five year old station wagon. I hope this car makes someone very happy to own it.

  7. topdeadcentre Avatar
    topdeadcentre

    Like everyone else, I don't like the door panel fabric. I'd recommend something a little more Hawaiian-type and a little less granny, and to get the same fabric in a seating material for the contrast areas of the seats. The dashboard should be built up out of Koa wood and feature a Tiki God mask. Go ahead, decorate the rest of the car like a rolling Trader Vic's Lounge! NOW we're talkin'!
    Oh yeah, find a way to air condition the interior, so the pineapple rings don't get overheated.
    <img src="http://tikitower.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/do-not-mock-tiki-god1-150×150.jpg"&gt;

    1. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      Right. Imagine the interior decorated in a fabric like these possibilities.
      <img src="http://www.barkclothhawaii.com/fabrics/oa/oajetbrwn.jpg"&gt;
      <img src="http://www.barkclothhawaii.com/fabrics/brown/90lavaoa.jpg"&gt;

  8. CptSevere Avatar

    The only thing I don't like about this wagon is the twenty grand asking price. That's a little too optimistic, but it's still a nice old wagon. I like the way that 390 looks, I'll bet the old beast pulls pretty well.

  9. dwegmull Avatar
    dwegmull

    Its main "feature" is that it is clear across the country from me. That just saved me $20000 and a really long conversation with my fiancee.

  10. waltgator Avatar

    i know im gonna get crap, but im kinda diggin that door panel fabric…its pretty cool…doesnt really match the car..but still cool….

    1. alcology Avatar
      alcology

      I agree! Nice to see something different

  11. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    It's called "Lava" and it's made and sold by a Hawaiian tiki cloth company. http://www.barkclothhawaii.com/big/lava.html

  12. $kaycog Avatar
    $kaycog

    Too gaudy for a sofa too. It would probably look good as a Hawaiian shirt. Period.

  13. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    Those of you criticizing the interior embellishment probably would not have purchased a Mod Top car, either.
    <img src="http://www.mooresmopars.com/StevenJuliano1970ModTopBarracuda/CIMG5180a.jpg&quot; width=500>
    <a href="http://www.mooresmopars.com/modtop93.html” target=”_blank”>http://www.mooresmopars.com/modtop93.html

    1. Joe Btfsplk Avatar
      Joe Btfsplk

      You got that right. It looks like a "dollar store" shower curtain.

  14. LostMyMeds Avatar
    LostMyMeds

    I would be disappoint if the interior didn't have a fine potpourri essence.

  15. alcology Avatar
    alcology

    Is fantasy (as in did not exist) options packages the new build trend? Will it be?