BUILT 2 THE 9'S, NO EXPENSE SPARED, CUSTOM EVERYWHERE, DEEP PAINT, 454 V8, 700R4

Description for Mercury Convertible 1949

We've all seen the famous '49 Mercury lead sleds, but we're pretty sure you've never seen one this amazing. With a list of custom tricks five or six pages long, it's got the right look. And with a big block V8, a street-worthy chassis, and all the creature comforts, it's the rare custom that you can actually drive in the real world. Check it out!
Finished a few years ago, this Merc will still bring home trophies at some pretty big shows. The look is traditional, of course, although you don't really see many custom ragtops simply because they're so rare. This one is finished in an incredible candy burgundy that looks good enough to eat and the exemplary bodywork backs it up with smooth flanks and clear reflections in the finish. It's been nosed, decked, shaved, chopped, channeled, frenched, and just plain smoothed to give it this look and while it's easy to recognize, it's tough to spot all the custom work. The grille is made up of 1956 Chevrolet bumper guards, the headlights are from a '55 Olds, and much of the sheetmetal is NOS so it fits beautifully. Unlike many customs, the doors swing easily and latch closed without a massive slam and the side trim appears to be hand made just for this car in a pattern that offers an inverse of the fender line. As I said, it's impossible to see all the tricks, but the whole is truly spectacular.
The white interior eschews tradition and goes right for state-of-the-art trick, starting with a set of swivel bucket seats from a '60s Chrysler. The dash is beautifully finished with a lot of custom stainless steel and you'll note that there are motorized doors for all the controls, so everything disappears when you turn off the key. Turn it on and you're greeted by a set of Dakota Digital gauges, an AM/FM/CD stereo up high, and the controls for the Vintage Air A/C system in the center. A custom center console based on an early '60s Thunderbird unit houses a horseshoe shifter and the power window controls and that steering wheel is 100% unique to this car. Of course you also get a tilt column, remote door openers, and a set of Air Ride controls in the former ashtray in the console. Too cool! The back seat is still usable as a seat, with a pair of buckets mirroring those up front, and to make this car truly remarkable, it has a functioning folding convertible top, which fits as neatly as an original. A fully finished trunk is truly massive and has a hidden fuel filler that's actually easy to reach.
For power, it relies on a 454 cubic inch Chevrolet V8. It's not radical, but it's plenty powerful to make this custom feel downright fast. It's also beautiful with a lot of chrome and custom plumbing, along with a lightly modified air cleaner from a mid-50s Cadillac. Finned valve covers, some custom brushed aluminum tank work, and hand fabricated inner panels make it look especially clean. The big block is augmented by an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, a set of powdercoated exhaust manifolds, and a custom dual exhaust system with glasspack style mufflers for a traditional sound. The chassis offers power steering and front disc brakes complements of a Nova subframe transplant, while the rear end is a Mustang 8.8 hanging on trailing arms and leaf springs. In between you'll find a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission so it's an effortless cruiser at any speed. It's clean, well-detailed, and has no stories or excuses. The Air Ride suspension adjusts the height to your tastes and it sits on 215/70/15 whitewall radials that are probably the right choice on a custom like this.
We've never seen a nicer Mercury lead sled, and the fact that this one has so many features that all work so well remains rather amazing to us. Turn the key, win a trophy, it's just that easy with this Merc. Call today!