Vehicle Description
We've all seen the famous '49 Mercury lead sleds, but we're pretty
sure you've never seen one this amazing. With a list of custom
tricks five or six pages long, it's got the right look. And with a
big block V8, a street-worthy chassis, and all the creature
comforts, it's the rare custom that you can actually drive in the
real world. Check it out!
Finished a few years ago, this Merc will still bring home trophies
at some pretty big shows. The look is traditional, of course,
although you don't really see many custom ragtops simply because
they're so rare. This one is finished in an incredible candy
burgundy that looks good enough to eat and the exemplary bodywork
backs it up with smooth flanks and clear reflections in the finish.
It's been nosed, decked, shaved, chopped, channeled, frenched, and
just plain smoothed to give it this look and while it's easy to
recognize, it's tough to spot all the custom work. The grille is
made up of 1956 Chevrolet bumper guards, the headlights are from a
'55 Olds, and much of the sheetmetal is NOS so it fits beautifully.
Unlike many customs, the doors swing easily and latch closed
without a massive slam and the side trim appears to be hand made
just for this car in a pattern that offers an inverse of the fender
line. As I said, it's impossible to see all the tricks, but the
whole is truly spectacular.
The white interior eschews tradition and goes right for
state-of-the-art trick, starting with a set of swivel bucket seats
from a '60s Chrysler. The dash is beautifully finished with a lot
of custom stainless steel and you'll note that there are motorized
doors for all the controls, so everything disappears when you turn
off the key. Turn it on and you're greeted by a set of Dakota
Digital gauges, an AM/FM/CD stereo up high, and the controls for
the Vintage Air A/C system in the center. A custom center console
based on an early '60s Thunderbird unit houses a horseshoe shifter
and the power window controls and that steering wheel is 100%
unique to this car. Of course you also get a tilt column, remote
door openers, and a set of Air Ride controls in the former ashtray
in the console. Too cool! The back seat is still usable as a seat,
with a pair of buckets mirroring those up front, and to make this
car truly remarkable, it has a functioning folding convertible top,
which fits as neatly as an original. A fully finished trunk is
truly massive and has a hidden fuel filler that's actually easy to
reach.
For power, it relies on a 454 cubic inch Chevrolet V8. It's not
radical, but it's plenty powerful to make this custom feel
downright fast. It's also beautiful with a lot of chrome and custom
plumbing, along with a lightly modified air cleaner from a mid-50s
Cadillac. Finned valve covers, some custom brushed aluminum tank
work, and hand fabricated inner panels make it look especially
clean. The big block is augmented by an Edelbrock 4-barrel
carburetor, a set of powdercoated exhaust manifolds, and a custom
dual exhaust system with glasspack style mufflers for a traditional
sound. The chassis offers power steering and front disc brakes
complements of a Nova subframe transplant, while the rear end is a
Mustang 8.8 hanging on trailing arms and leaf springs. In between
you'll find a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission so it's an
effortless cruiser at any speed. It's clean, well-detailed, and has
no stories or excuses. The Air Ride suspension adjusts the height
to your tastes and it sits on 215/70/15 whitewall radials that are
probably the right choice on a custom like this.
We've never seen a nicer Mercury lead sled, and the fact that this
one has so many features that all work so well remains rather
amazing to us. Turn the key, win a trophy, it's just that easy with
this Merc. Call today!