History MILESTONE CUSTOM CARS: Nick Matranga '40 Mercury

Awesome work Rikster. I cant tell you how much I appreciate viewing you posts.

 

Thanks, Rik, glad this thread bounced back to life.

I seem to remember reading that Sam did not only redo the windshield but also "decrowned" the top...notice in the under-construction picture how domed the Merc top is above the windshield opening, but in the finished picture it is much flatter...compare that chop with the Johnny Zarro Merc and the difference is apparent...if my memory is correct, it is another testament to Sam's patience, sharp eye, and skill.

 

Thanks Rik, great thread. The Matranga Merc is Elegance personified.

 

This is a great thread. I cannot get enough of the Matranga Merc.

During my searches I found this short article on the Matranga Merc on the "How Stuff Works" web page. A nice little write up and then they feature some pictures of the Duncan Emmons clone. It is worth the read. Here is the link:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/matranga-mercury-custom-car.htm

Thanks again for sharing Rik.

 

Thanks for sharing a wonderful history lesson, Rik!

 

Can never get enough Matranga info and photos.

 

BTT anyone have more pics?

 

Long shackles were a common method of lowering Fords and Mercuries with transverse leaf springs. It was easy and cheap but had the disadvantage of allowing a lot of side sway.

This would not necessarily cause problems at low speeds but in high speed cornering could be deadly.

The solution was to add a Panhard rod, a transverse rod linking the rear axle solidly to the frame. This cut the sway but could cause problems of its own on a rough corner.

 

Bringing this back up for some history lessons. Maybe someone new might see the big difference in what was done back in the day. They did things the right way. not over chopping and having everything laying on the ground looking like its broken.

 

HISTORY LESSON TIME!!

Just bring this back up incase someone might have missed it.

 

HISTORY LESSON TIME !!!!

Look these guys build cars that were CLASSY not TRASHY. Maybe for people will start building CLASSY CUSTOMS again.

 

I never enjoyed going to history classes years ago but they should of been teaching stuff like this.

 

History lesson time !!!!

 

Great customs!!!! These are not over chopped,looking broke on the ground, and flow from the front to the back. I love these threads!!

 

We were rather getting that impression.

 

I did an interview with Nick Matranga in '04 when I was producing the dvd, "Barris Kustoms of the 50's", here is the unedited version on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_PUkxVsZU4

 

Thanks for posting that video clip! Love hearing things like this.

 

Nick was the nicest and most generous car guy I'd ever met, and did you notice how well he remembered everything about the car!!

 

the gold standard

 

Scan of an Ansen Automotive Engineering ad in the 1952 Oakland Roadster Show Program that Ron Brooks scanned.




And another view of the Photo session that Marcia Campbell did with Nick's Merc in front of the school. I hope somebody still has these old Photos... and hopefully somebody will scan them and share a better version than this. Marcia's Collection is long gone, but some of these prints are still out there.

 

Hi Guys!

Nick was my Great Uncle. Saw this forum and just think it is awesome what you have going on. Here is a message from my dad:

"When I was about four, Nick took me for a ride in the Merc.
He told me if I put my feet on the seats, He'd make hamburger
out of me They don't make 'em like him anymore. "

Keep up the awesome work!

 

Now that's cool. Welcome aboard! BIG fan of the car.

 

Welcome to the board. You have some cool family history !

 

Thanks Guys!

If i can get our family pics back (ugly story) I'll be back to post them. Nick had a lot of cool things going on.

Take care

 

THat would be cool!Thanks.

 

Btt

 

Btt someone?

 

btt

 

This 51 Oakland show had to be one of the best ever..........Matranga's 40 ,Sam's 49 and Gil's 40.Wow.....what a show.Plus all the other beautys that were there.

 

Found this painting on web