Features The Lee Pratt Merc

I love to see cars that low that still drive well.

 

Great Story! Great looking custom, many were driven unfinished as they were budget built. Thanks Ryan!

 

I've always admired Lee's work and cars, but I wasn't familiar with this Merc. Jeez, what a stance! I love the fact that it was driven at this ride height traditionally without aid (who needs air bags???!!!).
There's something about a primered driver that attracts me too. Gets the gears turning, thinking about how I would go forward with the car if I owned it.
Where is it now? Did someone tear into the body and make things right, then paint the car?

 

yep, photos can make most anything look good but, with that very Cool stance a lot of flaws are overlooked. not everything need to be perfect. Thanks for pics & story.

 

I often get teased for the 4x4 stance of my 38 Chevy that my pops built, and I'd like for it to sit better. But it drives really well. Best driving old car I've ever driven.

 

beautiful rear end treatment

 

Great looking car. I love how low it is and the fact that it was DRIVEN! That really is the best part of owning/building these old cars.

Wonder where it is today and what it looks like? For all I know, I may have seen it around here in the Midwest in it's current form.

 

So Pratt bought it with the black primer and Butterly pinstriping, then stripped it and found the Bondo?

 

Looks like somebody placed an oversized panel behind the original gas filler lid opening and made a bunch of tack welds to hold it. There must have been at least a quarter inch of Bondo right there.

Being able to see that Z, it should be easy to identify the car in it's current condition. Not many rear frame rails run up that high in a '51 Merc. Anybody seen it?

 

That Z tho! And air shocks, the poor man's hyrdaulics.

 

I'd hate to think my old Boss did that patch, but he did run a "production" body shop. Time is money.

 

This makes me want to z the frame on my dodge, remove some leaves & throw on some air shocks. Car looks great!!!

 

^^^ haha ... so true.

 

I guess Looks aren't everything. That rear frame work is just plain Nasty.
The Wizzard

 

Hmmmm... Shitbox '51 daily driver? I feel his pain.

 

I guess it's time for me to jump in and explain the shortcomings and reasons for selling this car. I made the mistake of not looking as close as I should have at the car when I purchased it. When I got home my wife made the comment that the car smoked a lot. On closer inspection the motor was in poor condition and the installation left a lot to be desired. I pulled the engine and trans, had them rebuilt and started on the mechanics. I cut the trunk area out and cut the stock frame off at the kick-up. Put in a Camaro rear end and springs, all new exhaust, rewired the car, and installed a 49 dash. The front end had cut coils and flipped spindles. I replaced the louvered hood with a stock one and reprimered the car. While I was doing all this I discovered that the body was not up to my expectations and it was at this point that I decided to sell the car rather than repair it. I sold it to a guy in Cleveland, OH. Some time later I saw photos of it with Packard tail lights and maybe a chopped top, (not too sure about the top). Hope this answers all the questions asked.

 

I personally think the whole car is awesome. It has a very " Fuck you, I do what I want" attitude to it. Nowadays when every other kustom is laying on the ground with all after market suspension components, I can see how some folks might think it falls a little short. But back in the early 80's, I can only imagine what people thought when it slid into a show or cruise night(or down the freeway for that matter).

 

I had a Sunliner like that.It was more than I wanted to deal with,so I sorted it out and sold it.I took a deposit and a couple of weeks later I delivered it,but in those 2 weeks I discovered I really liked the old 'vert and kinda hoped my guy backed out.I even gave the buyer the opportunity to do so,but no such luck.

 

[QUOTE="Ryan,

To me, this car is a perfect bomb... I'd like to donuts in it in front of the Continental Club at like 3am.[/QUOTE] Oh no he di'nt! Ed will not approve of such riotous, hooligan Tom Foolery. Put a line lock in it and do a Rockford too.

 

I wish it was parked in my garage. I love the look.

 

This thing showed up in Springfield, Ohio in 85 in grey prime at the K.K.O.A. show. It had 56 Clipper taillights, moulded in lakes pipes and a very sanitary, tight spaced tube grille. By then the headlight were frenched, the hood corners rounded and it still had the Buick hubcaps. There was also a light splash of magenta lettering or something on it somewhere. Oddly, I met Lee Pratt at that same show in his 52 Chevy. I was 9 years old. I will post pics later. I hope I find them. I would like it to be known that never until this very second did it register that the two were the same car. I've always loved the pics of when Lee had it and wondered what happened to it. Turns out I knew all along. I'm kind of bummed.

 

Here's are pics taken by myself or my mother when I I was 9.

 

I liked it better the way it was when Lee had it.

 

Oh yeah, the thing never should have been touched.