I am extremely excited and honored to announce that I have become the next caretaker of Slo Pok! For those of you who may not know this car, here is the history.... In the spring of 1982, James "Jake" Mastny picked up a 1949 Mercury to build for his brother-in-law. In a time of pastel - small block Chevy street rods, he set out to build a period correct mid 1950's mild custom. The body of the Merc received minor modifications. The hood and trunk trim removed, along with the door handles. The headlights were frenched, 1957 Cadillac wheel covers and "dummy" spots added. The hood corners were rounded, and the fender trim was moved to the doors. The chassis and driveline remained relatively stock. The car was equipped with a Flathead V8, a 3spd manual transmission, and a Dana rearend. Stock brakes were retained. The front end was dropped with Aerostar springs, and the rear received 3" blocks. Functioning lake pipes were also installed. Jake painted the car himself, 6 coats of lacquer black. The amazing flame job was done by Art Offemaria of Chicago Ridge. The car was originally pinstriped by Dee Jay and later touched up by Tom Kelly. The custom interior, including custom headliner, was done by Ogden Top and Trim of Berwyn, IL. All the interior window garnish mouldings were sent out and chromed. Jake's brother-in-law drove the car for a couple years, but decided it wasn't his style, so Jake bought the car around 1984. Jake cruised it around like that for a few years, but working nights for the rail road made the car a mostly local cruiser, which was good because he soon realized that he could not keep up on the highway with his street rod pals, hence the nickname Slo Pok. It turned out the car was originally equipped with an overdrive transmission, and 4.27:1 gears. The overdrive had previously been removed but the gears stayed. A stock 3.92:1 rear end out of a 51 Mercury was installed. A little while later, a factory 3spd overdrive transmission was put back into the car, and some longer trips were in order. In 1995 it was decided that the car needed a little updating and more power. Stainless brake lines and fuel lines were installed, and the car was rewired front to back. Motor City Flathead out of Michigan built a full race flathead for it. 3 Stromberg 97s, Offenhauser intake and heads, and a MCF Full Race cam. Unfortunately, it turned out to be too much motor for the car, and did not make it very drivable. It again became a local driver, and the car was put on the back burner for a few years. In 2005 Jake then decided to put a smaller cam in it. He had Everett Plata Installed an Isky MAX -1 cam. This change made the car very drivable, and again it was on long weekend trips. The car has remained pretty much unchanged since that point. The only addition being the miles to the odometer.
Congratulations! I've been a fan of this car for years. Once painted a M/C gas tank and used the killer flame job on that car as my model.
Artie Offemaria, now theres a name I havent heard in a coons age, he was quite the painter. I remember that Merc from when I used to live in Oak Lawn. Beautiful car, youz a lucky guy. Mitch
Congratulations to @CHITOWN 29A on buying a neat old custom. I hope @Slopok is doing well. It must be a relief to know the car has gone to a good home.
I'm usually not a fan of un-chopped Mercs. I've always been a fan of flames, just not on customs. HOWEVER, I've always thought this particular car looked great! Congrats!
Congrats...Hamber to Hamber...Ya done good, that's extremely stunning in a BIG way...have fun with it...as said it's always nice to find a buyer that appreciates the Art that many rides up for grabs here are, turns the key and hits the road smiling...keep the pics coming @CHITOWN 29A...time to get that post count up...
Been running Slo Pok as much as the weather will allow. The car sat for a couple years so I've had a few fuel related issues. Replaced the old electric fuel pump last week and we took it out for ice cream. Ran ok, but seemed a bit off. I had training this week, and weather was nice Tuesday so I took it. Definitely had a fuel problem under mid/heavy throttle. I assumed accelerator pump. Took it to lunch and home with no other problems. About 100 miles round trip. Checked the accelerator pumps yesterday....my hunch was correct. Only the main one was torn, but I replaced all 3 anyway. (When I get a jet wrench I'll do full rebilds) My son and I took it to breakfast this morning and it ran way better. Seems like it may have an ignition miss, so plugs and points will get done this week. I have a 27 T hot rod as well as this car, but if I put the same miles on this one as I did on the F100 it replaced, I'll probably put 5000+ miles on it this season.
Awesome car and I love the engine compartment!! Looks like the little one is going love taking her out on long rides
This is what it is all about! Making memories with the kids is priceless. My two boys are now old enough that they have their own cool cars. And, it all started like this.
Congratulations, Welcome to the Merc family. It is a Blessing to own a Kustom with kool history. It is one fine '49
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