1950 Mercury Custom

This 50 Mercury was built in Dearborn, Michigan in 1949. It was shipped to Simi Valley, California, registered and titled in late 1949. It was actively registered for 22 years then left under a tarp for 40 years. When we found it, this 50 Mercury had zero rust and the original factory grease pencil on the door frames was still intact. After the purchase of this rust free 50 Mercury, we bought a fully loaded Mercury Mountaineer (stereo, Nav., dual air, Six airbags, 4.6 L V8 and AWD. etc.) that was owned by a Real Estate saleswoman and driven into a wall. It had 33,000 miles when totaled. Everything behind radiator was in pristine condition. Here are the build stages:
First, the 50 Mercury body was polished to show dents or accidents. Only minor wear was found. Then the body, fenders, front grillwork and entire coach unit was separated from its chassis. Next the Mountaineer leather upholstery was sorted, the interior stripped to locate all mounting spaces, the dual a/c and rear sub-woofer and wiring removed, dash disassembly documented digitally, then the dash was removed as a unit. A step-by-step video was made of the process. Then the Mountaineer firewall-floor geometry was planned with careful documentation of seat / firewall measurements. Next, the location of Mountaineer/Mercury dash junction and Mountaineer floor width and attachment points were carefully measured. Photo documentation of firewall/floor/dash placement was accomplished with Mountaineer/Mercury junctions plotted
with the plot of the Mountaineer/Mercury dash and windshield points. Dash overlap was carefully measured. Next the separation of floor and firewall in both vehicles was accomplished with temporary support bars installed for proper floor/firewall geometry. The Mountaineer floor was carefully sectioned and all measurements transferred to the 50 Mercury. All factory holes in Mountaineer floor were plugged and welded shut for a waterproof undercarriage. Next the 50 Mercury body was lifted and positioned over the Mountaineer floor, keeping supports in place for correct geometry. The entire floor and the 50 Mercury body were attached to a full body length welding rotisserie and the geometry was laser checked for correspondence. Specialty full length rocker panels were fabricated and attached. Then the 50 Mercury coach and Mountaineer firewall were fit together and floor/firewall and floor/rocker panels were gas welded. Next the trunk was reconfigured with space for the second a/c and sub-woofer fit into trunk sides. Laser measurements were double checked while the build was still on the welding rotisserie. All parts were prepped for polyurethane and the first coat of POR-15 interlocking primer was applied to all parts. Next the full ladder frame was stretched, cross braced and welded with reconfigured mounting points and mounting posts for internal roll bar welded, then coated with POR-15 interlocking primer. Next the 50 Mercury front clip (front radiator, grill and fender mounts, and both front fenders) were sized for addition of twin turbo chargers and specialty internal rocker panels built. The entire chassis was etched, sanded, and coated with of POR-15 interlocking primer and painted. Next the 4.6 L V8, transaxle and transmission were re-mated to the chassis with a specialty high performance rear driveshaft and front clip mounted. All measurements laser re-checked. Next dual stainless steel gas tanks were fabricated and attached. Then specialty AFCO racing shocks, coils and completely re-designed suspension was attached to all wheel positions. Next, the firewall dimensions were re-checked, specialty brackets constructed and Mountaineer dash fitted to the 50 Mercury. The rear seats were re-sized to fit in the 50 Mercury coach and the entire Mountaineer interior was fitted inside the 50 Mercury body. Then the Mountaineer internal window mechanisms and electrics were fitted inside 50 Mercury doors and new glass was added to windshield, doors and rear. Finally, the external coachwork was begun with shaved door handles, frenched headlights, specially configured front fender sheet etc. Shes now ready for her twin turbos and finishing. Injury forces sale after more than $ 110,000. invested. There is a 50 page .pdf with 300 photos documenting the entire build. AND tons of information on this amazing project at https://www.leadsledhotrod.com The site may load slowly as there are lots and lots of pictures.