Vehicle Description
1951 Mercury Hardtop
Within its era and beyond, the Mercury Eight was popular with
customizers. Sam Barris built the first customized creation from a
1949 Mercury Eight; That Eight became the definitive "lead sled",
much as the Ford V8, (as the "deuce"), was becoming the definitive
hot rod. The Eights were among the first models to receive an
aftermarket OHV engine swap, since Oldsmobile and Cadillac
developed the first high-compression OHV V8 engines in 1949,
whereas Ford was still using a side valve engine. Sam and George
Barris also used the 1949 body style to build "the most famous
custom car ever" the Hirohata Merc, for customer Bob Hirohata in
1953. Setting a style and an attitude, it had a "momentous effect"
on custom car builders, appeared in several magazines at the time,
and reappeared numerous times since, earning an honorable mention
on Rod & Custom's "Twenty Best of All Time" list in 1991. The Eight
remains a very popular subject for car modelers.
A thanks go to Sam Barris and his inspiration for the lead sled he
made for Sam Hirohata which started a craze the likes of which
would be an association much like the "deuce" was to hot-rodders.
Our consignment is the quintessential "lead sled" with its awesome
"Buck Rogers Rocket" lines, purple nurple paint that dances with
your eyes on various curved and shaved surfaces, big chrome teeth
for the grille, and a killer side profile. We give you this rolling
work of art where every detail makes other cars envious not just in
its size, but beautiful lines and some exaggerated features that
play up the theme to the nines. This 51 Merc is eye candy times
10.
Exterior
Arriving in our first zip code is the massive mostly blacked out 53
Desoto grille that has vertical teeth polished to the nines to
grind up the competition. Purple neon tubes are inserted in the
grille and wheel well areas and can be turned on by a switch on the
dash. Flanking this big chrome is more...well 5+inch frenched
circular headlights on the front quarters and a shaved bumper, (non
existent). Just above these "teeth" a bulbous hood that is leading
the way for the wonderfully large hood bathed in grape ultra shiny
Deep Grape Purple paint. A few dents, areas of paint lifting,
(mainly along the bodyline on the passenger's rear quarter panel),
and dings are noted all bodywork throughout rounded integrated
fenders with more curves than Brigitte Bardot are bathed in grape
metallic which makes its way back to the large door which has also
been shaved of its handles now actuated by a popper. In the next
zip code is the passenger compartment roof that has been chopped
5-1/2 inches and is the definition of low and slow. Thiscoupled
with a body that has been channeled gives it a more "grounded" look
for the eye-catching slow cruise and quality. A split pillar-less
front windshield angles to either side and adds to the look. In
back past the B pillar is a small "necker checker" window matching
the rear roof line. Looking much like an extrusion, this jelly bean
shaped car has an exaggerated shaved rear quarter sporting the
fender skirts revealing just a scooch of the rear tire. The back
end of the car with the chopped roofline now takes on a very
rounded over gracefully angled quality and sports a rounded over
trunk. On either side batman like wings in grape extend past the
trunk and house not one, not two not 3... but 4 antennas which are
frenched and electrified to disappear. For the rear roll pan we see
pointed vertical oval devil faced tail lights with a blue dot
inserts that have chromed exhaust exits next to them with flame
throwers worked into these pipes. Also a frenched license plate is
in the center. Ivory handled old school halogen spotlights are
hanging off of either side to check out the side scenery at night.
Dodge Lancer hubcaps are in chrome are spinning round and round on
15-inch steel wheels. A very mean grape jellybean!
Interior
As with many no expenses spared and no concept too wild, the
interior reflects the work put into the exterior. We are greeted
with door panels that have grape metallic sills and white smooth
uppers in leather and vertical tuck and roll lowers. Some purple
piping lineages the surfaces and also shiny chromed cranks and
actuators are in this field. I slipped inside and sat upon a
Cadillac power actuated overstuffed parchment, (white), leather
bench with purple between the smooth bolsters and tuck and roll
centers. It's just a visual playdate with the doors and sucks you
in. The rear bench has gone missing and now replaced by a boxed
leather covered panel. Our consignor states he has a rear bench if
you want to add more passengers to the interior. Above, the
headliner is paneled white but has a purple neon tube to illuminate
the interior..trippy! Upfront the mercury dash retains its original
shape but has been modded to include some airbrushed ice chip
purple pattern for the top and front. Large vertical ribbed chrome
is in for the dash lowers and it has a peppering of purple/white
striped resin knobs and toggles. The instruments have been replaced
by a single Auto Meter white faced digital odometer and
speedometer/tach combination gauge within a black field. Vertical
ribs extend to the center of the dash and more purple /white
striped slider knobs and pulls are seen. Below the dash are a
lineup of no less than 5 aftermarket gauges to keep your eyes on
the pulse of the mill. More chipped ice airbrushing for the
glovebox which now houses a CB radio with a drive-in movie speaker
in the corner as well as a Sony aftermarket digital AM/FM/CD/USB
radio. The white steering wheel is from a 67 Impala, (think chevron
design), and goes well with the retro dash and teardrop knobs and
pulls. Black carpeting floods the floors and is near perfection.
Sensory overload but in a good way!!
Drivetrain
They say cleanliness is next to godliness and this engine bay could
start another religion. It is that clean. In the center is the
heart of the cruiser in the form of a 302ci V8 circa 1980. It is
fed by a Holley 650cfm 4-barrel carburetor and has a C5 3-speed
automatic transmission on back. A Ford 9 inch with 2.60 rear axle
is now spinning the rear wheels and assisting with the low and slow
cruise. Dusk glasspack muffler equipped exhaust are on and these
have had mounted spark plugs that can produce flames out the back
when needed to threaten your competition!
Undercarriage
A lot of patina and some rust here and there, but nothing
remarkable. This is an X frame car with front independent coil
springs and rear leaf springs all with heavy duty shocks. Power
drum brakes are on all 4 corners and we note power steering is on
as well.
Drive-Ability
Sitting inside such an amazing vehicle one cannot help but put a
smile on their face. She fired right up, idled with a low rumble,
and took off like a rocket. All functions worked great, with good
brakes, nice easy steering, and a beautiful cruiser that turned
more heads on our test drive than if I would have walked naked down
main street...but I digress... I did not take time to throw a few
flames but I certainly listened to the back up recording shout to
me "Attention!! this vehicle is backing up... WOW
Every now and again amidst all the classics that show themselves at
our front door, one becomes a standout for its design,
construction, awesome power, or just plain old uniqueness. This one
covers all those bases and then some, and is a most beautiful 1951
Mercury lead sled example. All in grape and with plenty of extras
as to lighting,...for more information please contact the seller.
