THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1940 Mercury Club Coupe owned by Joseph Papalia 
 WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING As Americans began to emerge from the Great Depression in the late 1930s, they had more money to spend and there were new cars to buy. There was also a gap in the Ford product line between the basic models and the near-luxury Lincoln-Zephyr, which the company filled with the new Mercury in the 1939 model year. 
 “It was the brainchild of Edsel Ford, who saw it as capturing the sales market between lower- and higher-priced cars of the day,” Papalia says. “Mine was the second year that Mercury went into production. It came with a ‘flathead’ V-8 engine that had 95 horsepower, 10 more than the Ford models. It was priced around $1,000. Henry Ford, although he allowed production, was not totally on board with this concept. The car is considered a rarity today.” 
 Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury division would go on to produce more illustrious cars and do battle with the likes of Buick, Oldsmobile and Chrysler until the company ceased production of the Mercury in early 2011. 
 HOW LONG HE’S OWNED IT Since 2005 
 WHERE HE FOUND IT He found it during a trip to Chicago when he visited the Volo Auto Museum, a private museum and classic car dealership in Volo, Illinois. He had the Mercury shipped back to Long Island. 
 CONDITION “It’s an older restoration, but the body is in excellent condition,” Papalia says. “Mechanically, It needed a lot of work to make it roadworthy.” The Mercury distinguished itself from other cars of the era with its thin side window pillars trimmed in bright metal, a design similar to the pillars on classic Lincoln Continental coupes of the period. A number of automotive historians insist this look was the precursor of the pillarless hardtop coupes introduced by General Motors for 1949 and widely imitated by other manufacturers over the next three decades. 
 TIPS FOR OWNERS “Join a car club,” he advises. “There is much to learn from other members and it makes it easy to find good mechanics and car parts. I've benefited from being a member of The Centurion Cruisers Car Club.” 
 VALUE Papalia has insured his coupe for $40,000. The NADA Guides places a “high retail” value of $46,500 on a 1940 Club Coupe before options. 
 THE BOTTOM LINE “I have yet to see another one at car shows that I've attended over the years,” he says. “It’s a real crowd pleaser wherever I take it, for both camera buffs and people with questions.”

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1940 Mercury Club Coupe owned by Joseph Papalia WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING As Americans began to emerge from the Great Depression in the late 1930s, they had more money to spend and there were new cars to buy. There was also a gap in the Ford product line between the basic models and the near-luxury Lincoln-Zephyr, which the company filled with the new Mercury in the 1939 model year. “It was the brainchild of Edsel Ford, who saw it as capturing the sales market between lower- and higher-priced cars of the day,” Papalia says. “Mine was the second year that Mercury went into production. It came with a ‘flathead’ V-8 engine that had 95 horsepower, 10 more than the Ford models. It was priced around $1,000. Henry Ford, although he allowed production, was not totally on board with this concept. The car is considered a rarity today.” Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury division would go on to produce more illustrious cars and do battle with the likes of Buick, Oldsmobile and Chrysler until the company ceased production of the Mercury in early 2011. HOW LONG HE’S OWNED IT Since 2005 WHERE HE FOUND IT He found it during a trip to Chicago when he visited the Volo Auto Museum, a private museum and classic car dealership in Volo, Illinois. He had the Mercury shipped back to Long Island. CONDITION “It’s an older restoration, but the body is in excellent condition,” Papalia says. “Mechanically, It needed a lot of work to make it roadworthy.” The Mercury distinguished itself from other cars of the era with its thin side window pillars trimmed in bright metal, a design similar to the pillars on classic Lincoln Continental coupes of the period. A number of automotive historians insist this look was the precursor of the pillarless hardtop coupes introduced by General Motors for 1949 and widely imitated by other manufacturers over the next three decades. TIPS FOR OWNERS “Join a car club,” he advises. “There is much to learn from other members and it makes it easy to find good mechanics and car parts. I've benefited from being a member of The Centurion Cruisers Car Club.” VALUE Papalia has insured his coupe for $40,000. The NADA Guides places a “high retail” value of $46,500 on a 1940 Club Coupe before options. THE BOTTOM LINE “I have yet to see another one at car shows that I've attended over the years,” he says. “It’s a real crowd pleaser wherever I take it, for both camera buffs and people with questions.”

Classifieds

Cars

In the Garage: 1940 Mercury Club Coupe

Newsday

1940 Mercury Club Coupe -crop

Most Popular

Latest Videos

Latest videos

Port Jefferson and Amityville are dropping their varsity football programs for the 2026 season. Newsday's High School Sports Editor Gregg Sarra reports.

'That's a shame'

Healthcare leaders and experts have long suggested that Nassau University Medical Center could improve its finances by selling or leasing real estate. Newsday investigative reporter Peter D'Auria has more.

Ways to fix the future of NUMC

Some farm stand owners are sharing video footage on social media, citing threats to an ethics code that has guided the East End economy for decades. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

'It's unfortunate'

There was a major police presence at Pearl Court in Sayville on Friday morning as authorities investigated a report of a woman found dead in her home. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Homicide detectives at the scene

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland speaks to actor Gary Sinise about the Wantagh Union Free School District partnering with his foundation to raise money for field trips to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, as well as a commemorative 9/11 statue in front of Wantagh High School.

Actor Gary Sinise partners with LI district on 9/11 education

Sign up for the Daily Business newsletter

Business Newsletter Widget

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning more than 1 million Jeep owners their vehicles can catch fire — even when the ignition is turned off.

Jeep recall: Park outside as vehicles may catch fire until repairs are made

Business Article Bottom Module

An acrimonious trade war between the United States and Canada is threatening to reinforce the resolve of Canadians who stopped visiting the U.S. last year.

US tourism groups want to win Canadian visitors back. A testy trade war isn't helping

Celine Dion fans are facing ticket scams as they flock to Paris for her comeback shows.

One Tech Tip: How to avoid Celine Dion ticket scams as she makes her grand concert comeback

Promotions, hires and new jobs for Long Islanders

People on the Move: See who's been promoted on LI

What's really driving recalls of cars at risk of bursting into flames? It's not EVs.

The origins of Labor Day date back to the late 19th century, when activists first sought to establish a day that would pay tribute to workers.

What's open on Labor Day? Most retailers. Closed? Government, banks and the stock market.

Wall Street will get several important updates about inflation this week.

Wall Street week ahead: The market focuses on key inflation updates

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Sayville Falls Miniature Golf and Beer Garden offers family-friendly activities, gazebos with TVs for rent and food that changes with the seasons. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Sayville Falls Miniature Golf and Beer Garden offers more than you might think

NewsdayTV's Carissa Kellman visits Adventure Paddleboards & Kayaks in East Quogue for a GoBoat adventure.

It's your last chance to book an LI 'bumper boat'

East End farm stands report thefts, threatening decades-old honor systems

It started out as "take a book, leave a book." Now these little libraries have Instagram accounts and mobile apps and are part of a growing, vibrant community. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has the story.

Little Free Libraries are a big deal

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to the North Fork to highlight local East End businesses and give us a behind-the-scenes look at their daily work.

Out East: North Fork Foodie Tour

For many of the approximately 100,000 Muslims living on Long Island, the deadliest terrorist act committed on U.S. soil — carried out by 19 al-Qaida hijackers — pointed an unwelcome spotlight at them. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Being Muslim on LI, after 9/11 and now: Stories of hatred and healing

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers in Plainview.

Trendy Bites: Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Mastic Seafood to slice some fish and shuck some oysters on this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Shucking oysters and hauling fish at a local seafood market

The plant-eating pests are raising concerns among farmers and winemakers. Newsday reporter Mark Harrington spoke about some potential upcoming solutions.

Spotted lanternflies on the rise

The Smithtown East boys and girls volleyball teams hosted Smithtown West in what was billed as the first outdoor volleyball matches in Long Island history. NewsdayTV's Christopher Matias reports.

Smithtown East hosts Long Island's first outdoor volleyball match

Business Video Playlist

Housing advocates and local officials were set to break ground on Thursday on a building with 52 affordable apartments slated to replace blighted commercial buildings on Port Jefferson's Main Street. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Port Jefferson entering new phase of revitalization

Bonsai tree-making classes, trivia nights, mocktails and private events are among the ways local venues are trying to draw customers. Newsday business reporter Tory Parrish has more.

'We have a lot of different things going on'

Some East End businesses already house workers priced out of the area. Now East Hampton is weighing rules that could expand the model — and the debate over tying housing to a job. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It's something I felt we had to do'

If the deal goes through, Giunta's Meat Farms will also acquire four Wild by Nature natural food stores. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Giunta's Meat Farms acquiring 24 King Kullen stores

Fake listings, bogus fees and stolen data target renters squeezed by Long Island's high housing costs. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'It's been a nightmare'

The price of childcare can be prohibitive for many Long Island parents. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports along with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa, Newsday business reporter Victor Ocasio and daycare owner Janna Rodriguez.

'Probably as much as rent or mortgage'

The overall inflation rate for the Long Island area is now 5.1%, up from 3.4% in May 2025. Newsday business reporter James T. Madore has more.

'Long Islanders are feeling the pain'

Recently passed state auto insurance reforms could help lower car insurance rates as much as 10% for New York drivers, according to some estimates. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'If it ain't now, it ain't happening. It's a dream.'

If approved, it would be the first new hospital on Long Island since 1980. Newsday business reporter James T. Madore has more.

'There are steps still to go'

The Riverhead Shake Shack, opening June 30, will be the chain's first on the East End.

Shake Shack set to open at Tanger Outlets

If approved, the 130,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World would feature an indoor aquarium, historical displays and taxidermy wildlife mounts.

Bass Pro Shops combines outdoor gear, tourist attractions

Amanda Pastore, of Levittown, feels the pressure to provide her son a birthday party like other children his age — but at what financial cost?

'I just want him to fit in with everybody else'

Cars - megaslot

Read the latest news, reviews, recalls and more for the vehicle makes and models that Long Islanders drive.

Most Popular

Latest Videos

Stay logged in.