Some how down under we get stuck behind the same cruzin slo mercury. Said with tongue in cheek. Great fall day for a 4hr cruise with good buddies though. Making the most before the winter closes in, cruzin doesn't stop ,just less sun.
I have always equated customs to cruising so in my mind means low & slow,no reason to get in a hurry. HRP
I've been over there twice, north and south, and just loved the scenery at a leisurely pace. I would do it again in a heart beat just for the scenery. You guys jam so much into a small place.
IMO, Most Mercury's are cruisers, not Hot Rods/Street Racers, it appears to me that plenty of them keep the flathead, stock or modified w/ stock drive line. Mine, like many I have seen w/SBC and coveince, PS, PDB, A/C, etc. I'm sure the experts will correct me if I'm wrong, but IMO, it's 2 different lines of thought, Hot Rods or Kustoms, my line of thinking is about cars that are drivers, not trailered Show or Race cars
When I was a kid (50-60s), I often wondered if Customs had any engines at all because their hoods were usually closed. And besides, that was in a time when many show cars reportedly didn't even have working engines. But the lack of power didn't seem to matter at all - because all the effort was being made on the exterior look and their custom interiors. They were styling exercises. They could have been made in clay, for that matter, when it came to the cars I saw at the indoor, winter car shows. I know all the Customs operate now, some very well with exotic power trains, completely fabricated chassis, fanciful under-hood sculpting (ie Ridler cars and such), but they don't really have to be any faster than say a high-end, contemporary luxury car, do they? If they could cruise with a Benz all day long at 120+ that would be a great milestone to reach for, IMHO. Gary
I think you all seem to be missing that he's taking a crack at his buddy whom was leading the way on their little drive about.
Had a friend in 59 or 60 that had a 51 with paint and mild custom work by Winfield i think when he was in Modesto. His Merc was very fast for the time-had a 57 Olds with a hydro. Ran it at the Drags too at Madera.
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