Projects 1950 Mercury Rusturrection

Always wanted to do a build thread on the merc but never got around to it. I'm guessing its better late than never.
The car was first seen right here on the HAMB for sale I contacted the owner but i didn't seal the deal.
These are the photos when it was advertised around 2011







Would like to dedicated this build to the Reverand George Robertson.

 

Dang, those floorboards look pretty solid! Car looks pretty solid overall. The '49 is my all-time favorite car, and was my first car. Just liked the dash and grille/parking lights better. Wish I still had it.

So did you eventually buy it?

 

The car was sold to another guy that spent more time making it complete.
While a friend was over in America buying cars, he purchased the merc.
I remember looking at the photo he had and saying to myself "Man that car looks familiar".
Yes, I purchased the car CJShaker.
For a car that looks as rough as this one on the outside is surprisingly rust free
I like 49 mercs also.
Wish my first car was a 1949 mercury.

 

Cool, glad you got it. Rust is 90% of the battle, so that's a good start.

 

Cheers man.
Your 100% correct on the rust I defiantly got lucky on that part

 

I love Mercs and we need more active build threads so I'm 100% on board for this one.

 

Total with you on that Squablow .
I love mercs also.

 

Yep, what Squablow said. I’ll be following along.

 

Cheers man

 

How it looked when it arrived in Brisbane Australia in 2012
There was no interior which created a few headaches

 

Wow, nice floors though!

 

Cheers mate
Was a great starting point.
The hunt for parts started almost straight away.

 

Cool! I'll come along for the ride.

 

Welcome aboard mate
Picking up the car from the Gold Coast.

 

I started at the rear of the car by upgrading the stock merc diff with a 1978 f100 9-inch dif out of a mates 4x4 . It was too wide, so a friend shortened it to 59 inches.
Also, the rear Leafs where repaired and reset a few inches lower .
New shocks where purchased aswell.
So many of the bolts were rusted on I ended up using the angle grinder on most of them.

 

One of the important parts was found in Melbourne.
This mercury rear seat was out of a friend's car who was doing a full kustom interior.
Also scored a DeSoto grill from a local guy.

 

Also replaced the old fuel tank with a new one


New keys ,door locks and barrels.
New rubber bushes for rear Leafs suspension

 

I see hemi heads. Are going upgrade to a hemi?

 

Honestly one of the hardest discussions was what engine to put in the car .
As the original engine was no good as the trans and diff.
Do I fit a 351 cleveland/windsor or throw a chevy in it or fit one of my favourite engines (392:hemi)in the car .
Eventually I made a discussion and the hemi will go into a future project.

 

While looking for mercury parts I found a full Jamco front suspension kit for sale in Victoria.
The price was great but had no idea how to get it to Brisbane.
I reached out to a fellow mercury man Fred James for advice/help.


Fred's was amazing as he went over and checked out the parts and got them ready to send to Brisbane.
Fred a stand up guy and I'm grateful for this help and advice over the years.


Fred's awesome mercury

 

. The hemi would be an extra element of cool that most others won't have. Many others will just get the bland generic sbc or sbf like every budget build. Don't build a generic car. A y-block is another cool option. A nailhead is a good fit option. It always takes a bit more effort to build a stand out car. Following the generic norms because it's the cheapest and easiest only makes a regular generic car.

 

You seem to constantly display very little empathy for the financial status of others. You may sit back and pontificate as much as you want and make snide remarks about people's engine choices, but you, sir, are not the one paying their bills.

 

Well said.

 

I have a 331 Hemi in mine!

 

Looks like a nice build to follow. I had a chopped '51 years ago, often wonder if someone ever finished it.

Bob

 

Thankyou Bob.
I would also enjoy seeing what happened to you 51 Merc.

 

I remember seeing the car for sale years ago and the Hemi looked right at home. The y block and nailhead motors are great choices but I'm leaning towards a cleveland or Windsors as long road trips interstate and everyday driving is required

 

Great car 51 Mercules.

 

Money is definitely a factor when building cars today

 

It occurs to me that you, @aussiepete , have been thunderstruck. Lol