History Have you seen my 40 Mercury custom convertible?

Bought this Mercury from Bernie Mordawski at Mundelein Motors (just north of Chicago in 1971). Channeled, fenders raised, hood sectioned (unchopped). 331 OHV Cadillac with LaSalle floorshift mated to the Mercury torque tube. Appleton spots, Cobalt blue, acetylene smoked dash and garnish moldings. Was told built by Barris in 1956 but you know how that goes. Anyone have any idea of its history? Appreciate any info. Thanks, Lucas

 

Very cool car !!

you still own it ?
Thanks for sharing

 

No I hadn't and I'm glad you shared the pics. Hopefully you can find some background information. You have one Kool ride..

 

Yes I do. It's one of those "The little toy dog is covered with dust, But sturdy and staunch he stands; The little toy soldier is red with rust, And his musket molds in his hands." things. But will be out of storage soon.

 

I like it!

Dave

 

Never saw it but I really do like it.

 

Yes, I still have it. Here's the back story. Was advertised in Cars & Parts. Last year in college got a loan from girlfriend whose parents dies suddenly. After I retrieved the car and had it stashed in a garage, she spent the summer with me. Asked her several times if she wanted to see it. She declined, said it was my thing - which she was good with - but didn't need to see it. Start of second year teaching at the college we received a French professor from France in an exchange program. She learned about the car and kept badgering me to see it. One day we were near the garage and she absolutely insisted I show it to her. Opened the garage and removed the covers and she said, "That's the most beautiful car I've ever seen!" Well, paid off the loan and fifty years later my French wife still loves the car - along with several others acquired since then.

 

Good story, Lucas, but I'm thinking you left out some of the important parts.
Did you ask her if she wanted to sit in it? And then what?
Women who like cars make life much easier for us.

 

That car ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE DRIVEN!!! PLEASE!!!

 

I’d drive it.

that’s super cool

reminds me of a valley customs ride

 

I have only heard stories of such a car but it is good to see pictures

 

Appreciate everyone's interest and support. What can I say? Maybe "Life is what happens when you've made other choices." We are actively looking for a storage building in New Albany to replace one in Briona Taylor City across the river. And then it will be driven. Still hoping someone will provide info on its history. Definitely a pro build, circa 1956 in Cali. Thanks guys.

 

So we're looking for pre 1971 history on a Chicago based 1940 Merc convert?
You need to add Chicago or northern Illinois to thread title to wake up the locals. Hope that helps.

 

Yes sir. Will do. Thank you for the suggestion. I believe it had a parking permit from the Lake Geneva Playboy Club.

Owner must have been a playah. Damn! Fuschia is my favorite color. She would have gone well with Cobalt blue Mercury cvt.

 

You need to join Kustomrama and contact Sondra Kvipt the head of the organization. Finding the history of old Customs is what he loves to do.

 

Buick Boy, thanks for the suggestion. Sondre knows about my avatar Fred Cain 40 Ford coupe. Like the C&W song goes, "Why didn't I think of that?" He'll get the words out for sure. Thanks again.

 

cool looking car

 

Featured thread - WOW! Thanks. At BuickBoy's suggestion, contacted Sondre who has graciously offered to put it in Kustomrama "Lost and Found". Eagerly awaiting any news. Thank you, everyone.

 

Alexander brothers were big then in Detroit. In Shelbyville Indiana Bob Metz turned out some high quality kustoms. That car looks like a high quality build. One of the Alexander brothers is still alive I believe I would start with talking to him.

 

Reminds me of Glen Hooker's '39 Mercury convertible by Valley Custom. Except that car was chopped.



It's incredible that you still have your Mercury after all these years. It's very distinctive - I've never seen another sectioned Merc with its hood narrowed through the side cove detail like yours. Good luck finding some early history!

 

Hard to go wrong with one of those cars. I would like a chopped and padded top.

 

Gotgas, you have a very keen eye. My Mercury is more like Jimmy Summers with respect to the way the hood is cut.

One reason it is not chopped may be because it has a very deep channel, way more than just over the frame. That didn't leave a lot of interior room.

 

How about some interior shots? And under hood while your at it. Please?

 

Will do a full photo shoot when it comes out of storage - hopefully later this year.

 

That is one kool car! Can’t wait to see more pics!

 

Paging Rik (@Rikster) Hoving of "Custom Car Chronicle" fame ...
and Sondre (@SuperFleye) & Olaf (@Kvipt) Kvipt of "Kustomrama" fame.

 

Lucas. So we meet again! We've crossed paths a couple of times around L-vill at local events. I recall a car from arouned '60??? here in Lvl. I was only 15 at the time so don't remember a lot about it. I remember enough to be certain it was a 39/40 Ford or Merc and comfortable saying it was a convertible. It sat close to 18th street one block off Algonquin Pkwy. I always thought it belonged to a guy named Donnie Baldwin. One thing I recall very clear is that the bumper braces were filled/molded. I would bet the car was dark blue, maybe black. Wish I could remember more. I have asked a few of my friends but no one knows anything about it. I was the only one that lived in that neighborhood. Tim. I looked a map and he would have likely lived on Vorster, Burwell or Lee st. They have city directories from that time at the main library.

 

Hello Tim. Looking forward to seeing you again this season. Pretty sure this car was in the Detroit area late 60s early 70s when I got it.. Although story was a Left Coast build. Definitely pro built. They knew what they were doing. Sondre will put on Kustomrama and I'll do a full photo shoot when it comes home to New Albany.

 

Might be Frank Loyd Wright pointing things out. Lot a pointers in this photo.

 

Very cool car @lucas doolin! A channeled 1939-40 Mercury...and Ford is never wrong! I'm working on the story here now and will do my best to help you spread the word and see what we can come up with. Hopefully some of our Chicago/Illinois contacts are sitting on some info