I love a chopped Merc, but this is the one picture that makes me question whether it really needs it. I love the look of this car with the early oval window but the '51 quarters. I haven't decided completely what direction I want to take my '51 in (it's probably a ways down the list of projects) but a car very strongly inspired by this picture might be the way.
Agree 100%, Mercurys doesn’t have to be chopped to be kool. I posted this Merc because it reminds me something Gary Howard would have built. Lot of classy kustom work without the chop. It works.
I'm pretty sure this is a 51 with a 50 back window added. I do like the choice of side trim but am unsure what it came off of. Maybe a Lincoln? It also appears to have some kind of trim under the back window just above the trunk.
It's a '50 Monterey with "51 rear quarters added. It is Lincoln trim. It's one incarnation of Gene Winfield's Merc
@Bullet Nose , it was Gene Winfield's personal car. According to Rik Hoving's page, " This is Genes personal ride in the early fifties. It started out as a -50 Mercury Monteray with sidetrim (-51 Lincoln Lido (baby Lincoln (Merc body) but turned the other way. Gene bought brand new -51 Merc rear fenders from the dealership and grafted them on to his -50 Merc and he added '54 Mercury taillights to it. The grill is made of -51 Merc option bumperguards cut and welded togeter. Bullits on the -50 Merc front fender are '53 Merc bumperguards. Headlights are -52-53 Merc rims ! Bullit in the 54 Mercury hubcap seem to be -51 Ford grill bullits. Front fender flair is -52-54 Ford or Merc and works nicely togheter with the peaked -51 Merc skirts. Stock -51 Merc rear bumper. A great 3"x5" chop and ofcause removed driprail together with a lovely set of 112 Appletons to top it off is an unbeatable recipe for a truly traditional built custom. " I think it did eventually get chopped. I really do like this version though.
Found these pictures from about 15 years ago, blue car is one I built for a customer. It was a rotted out piece of crap. Believe it or not the front fenders, grill surround and lower rear quarters where fiberglass units that Sterling Ashbey/ Mr Merc sold back in the day. Could not find any steel replacements around here. Taking in the countless hours it took to make them right I should have jumped in the truck and took a road trip out west! lol The black 51 is mine, she has been waiting patiently for years to finish her. When done she will be a black version of Jerry Titus Green 49 from the 70's. Radius wheel wells and big and little Torque Thrust T's with 428 fe and 4speed power. Total Wichita styling with just a touch of 67 Mustang Gt and 64 T Bird added. There is enough Barris style mercs out there! lol Larry
That would explain the trim under the window. I think the Monterey was the model with the vinyl roof.
Don't you just love neighbors that have old clapped out cars on their property? No, seriously. I love 'em. Your neighbor got a new project??
Lol! I was working on a privacy fence but he bought a Merc so I can live with the view. Travis is entering the dark side, starting out a as a mild Kustom. Going to be kool to have another Merc running around.
Here's a few pictures from when I picked it up in Kansas, and picture of my dad's year book from 1958 thanks for all the kind words
That'll buff right out. Best of luck on your new project. Gonna make it just like Dad's? Or put your own touches on it?
The Jalopy Journal
