Pretty privileged to have been given the opportunity to be custodian of this special 50 Merc. Prior it's been in the same solid care of my mate Bruce Ward since 1975 out of Arroyo Grande CA who has carved out what you see today over the past 42 years. This ride has a story to tell....... Anyone already familiar with her?
Still in the mid 70's Bruce started the custom chop. No Internet No Forums No "How To's". You had to spend time with the amazing few like Barris & Ayala & Winfield & ask 1000 question & study pictures in magazines for hours on end & then go stuff it up before you finally worked it out for yourself the hard way.......
Flamed by the late 70's - I can to this very day still see the ghost outline of these flames under the current Black Cherry paintwork.
Wait a minute...... Is that a HEMI is see shoehorned in that there 50 Merc?....... Bruce Ward you bloody Legend!! That there is a 354 ci HEMI backed up by a T10 4-Speed done & dusted by the late 1978. Ready to hit a few shows. & it did....
Here she is in February 2017 at the home of Bruce Ward who's loved her for over 42 years right before she heads out on the longest road trip of her life to Notnek Garage in Brisbane Oz. She's been sporting these same set of hubcaps for over 40 years......
Love The Car and History. My humble opinion is it needs to come down a little in the rear end to really Nail it. Not saying this to offend the builder or you, just my opinion. Larry
Beautiful merc. If it was mine I would also lower the rear and maybe put on different mirrors. Other than that it's perfect, IMHO.
I think that CAR is Great just the way its Set up! thats the way it was in the 50's jacked up in the Rear, I ran Mine like that for years & I intend to do it again! Just My 3.5 cents Live Learn & Die a Fool
Great receiving thoughts from you guys. I'm staying reasonably loyal to Bruce's build. But Bruce is encouraging me to take the reins and do my bit. Recons it's my turn now. I've only changed a couple things so far. Mirrors and added skirts. Before mirrors After mirrors Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
On her journey with Bruce she went 354 HEMI / T10 in the 70's then in the early 80's a hypo 289 / C4 pushed her down the road. Then by the late 80's the angry 289 was yanked & from then till now she runs a beautifully warmed up 255 Merc Flatty with the C4 still there. Gotta say it's just right the way she is now IMO.
I know you may like to see multiple 94's up top. But this little 390 4 barrel set-up is solid as a rock on this flatty. But you cant beat a bunch of little workers up top for ol skool kool I guess.... For now the Holley stays for sure...
Here we are just last month at Beachfest Downunder with four from the garage - fun times Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
What did the stainless trim that is on the rain gutter come on. I have never seen that SS trim on another 49-51 Merc. look like it fits great in the pic's.