1953 Mercury Meteor Customline — Canadian-Built Restomod
$47,500.00 Canadian
Ford 351 Windsor V8 · Edelbrock Performer RPM · B&M QuickSilver Automatic · Calgary, Alberta
Overview
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a 1953 Mercury Meteor Customline — a Canadian-market exclusive that Ford Canada produced for sale through its dealer network, distinct from the standard American Mercury line. Second owner since 1965, this car has been in the same family for over 60 years and received a full professional restomod build in Calgary around 2001, with a documented investment exceeding $40,000 CAD in that build alone.
The result is a car that looks unmistakably 1953 from the outside — deep burgundy paint, polished chrome bumpers, original Customline script and V8 badges intact but drives like a modern performance vehicle underneath. It is a driver, not a trailer queen: it runs, drives, and turns heads as it rumbles down the street.
Provenance and History
Originally purchased new by a Ford Canada employee — fitting for a Canadian-market-only model. The professional restomod build was completed in Calgary around 2001 by Western Motorsports Inc., with a total documented build investment of approximately $40,161 CAD plus taxes.
A buyer who is comfortable with a project-level mechanical refresh will find this car extremely well-suited to that investment. A buyer who wants a turn-key driver as-is will also find it satisfying — it is a car that runs and drives today.
Quick Specifications
Year / Make / Model: 1953 Mercury Meteor Customline (Canadian market)
Body Style: 2-door sedan
Exterior Color: Burgundy / Maroon
Interior: Brown cloth, professionally re-upholstered
Engine: Ford 351 Windsor V8
Induction: Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold
Ignition: Crane Hi-6 system, LX-92 coil, MSD 8.5mm wires
Transmission: Lentech AOD 4-speed automatic (high-performance rebuild)
Shifter: B&M QuickSilver floor console
Rear Axle: Ford 9-inch, Richmond 3.70 gears
Brakes: 4-wheel power disc
Exhaust: Ceramic-coated headers, dual H-pipe, Superturbo mufflers
Wheels: Weld Racing billet aluminum 8x17"
Tires: Yokohama A520 P245/45ZR17
Radiator: Mustang 3-core with SPAL 16" electric fan
Electrical: 12-volt conversion
Odometer: 45,900km (indicative)
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
VIN: 0170H53-58966
FULL OVERVIEW
Powertrain
Engine: Ford 351 Windsor V8 | the more desirable of the Ford small-block family, producing substantially more torque than the 302 and well-suited to the Meteor's body weight. The engine is dressed with a matching Edelbrock package throughout: Performer RPM intake manifold, Edelbrock valve covers, and Edelbrock air cleaner; a cohesive, purpose-built performance combination from one of the most respected names in American hot rodding.
Ignition: Crane Hi-6 ignition system with LX-92 coil and MSD 8.5mm performance spark plug wires.
Transmission: Lentech AOD 4-speed automatic (fully rebuilt, high-performance) with a TCS 12-inch street converter. Shifted via a B&M QuickSilver floor-mounted console, one of the most recognizable and respected shifters in the classic car world. The slap-stick function allows manual gear selection for spirited driving without sacrificing the everyday convenience of a full automatic.
Rear Axle: Ford 9-inch rear end with Richmond 3.70 gears and four-wheel disc brakes — the Ford 9-inch is widely considered the gold standard for hot rod rear axles, prized for its strength and rebuild-ability.
Chassis, Suspension and Brakes
The suspension was completely replaced front and rear during the restomod build. Four-wheel power disc brakes with new rotors, calipers, lines, and hoses provide stopping power appropriate to the performance level of the engine. Custom ceramic-coated headers feed a dual H-pipe exhaust with Superturbo mufflers — a setup that provides a purposeful exhaust note without being antisocial.
Exterior
The Meteor wears deep burgundy paint with chrome trim and bumpers. The underside was professionally undercoated during the build. Weld Racing billet aluminum wheels (8x17 inch) wrapped in Yokohama A520 P245/45ZR17 performance tires complete a stance that is period-correct in attitude but unmistakably modern in execution.
Interior
The cabin retains the character of a 1953 automobile while acknowledging that it is a driver's car. The original Mercury steering wheel with its crest horn button is present. The factory dashboard and gauge cluster are intact. Brown cloth upholstery and headliner were professionally re-done during the build. An aftermarket tachometer is column-mounted, a practical addition that suits the performance character of the engine. The B&M QuickSilver shifter sits on the floor between the seats, exactly where it belongs in a car like this.
Cooling and Electrical
A Mustang 3-core radiator with a SPAL 16-inch electric fan handles cooling. The entire electrical system was converted to 12-volt during the build; a foundational upgrade that makes modern accessories and reliability possible. A new battery was installed in March 2023.
Honest Disclosures
This is a driver-quality restomod, not a show car, and it is priced accordingly. The following items are disclosed openly:
— Engine leaks were noted in April 2023 (oil pan, steering rack, timing cover, and possibly head gaskets). These have not been repaired. The car remains running and driveable.
— A replacement fuel tank is included with the sale. It was sourced in 2023 but did not fit the original application; it is a parts item, not a functional spare but could be with a modification. The original fuel system was professionally cleaned in November 2020 and has been reliable since, however the gas gauge currently does not function.
— The odometer reads approximately 45,900 miles. Given the age of the vehicle and the extent of the rebuild, this reading should be considered indicative rather than certified.
