1951 Mercury Hardtop 

Within its era and beyond, the Mercury Eight was popular with customizers.  Sam Barris built the first customized creation from a 1949 Mercury Eight; That Eight became the definitive "lead sled", much as the Ford V8, (as the "deuce"), was becoming the definitive hot rod.  The Eights were among the first models to receive an aftermarket OHV engine swap, since Oldsmobile and Cadillac developed the first high-compression OHV V8 engines in 1949, whereas Ford was still using a side valve engine.  Sam and George Barris also used the 1949 body style to build "the most famous custom car ever" the Hirohata Merc, for customer Bob Hirohata in 1953.  Setting a style and an attitude, it had a "momentous effect" on custom car builders, appeared in several magazines at the time, and reappeared numerous times since, earning an honorable mention on Rod & Custom's "Twenty Best of All Time" list in 1991.  The Eight remains a very popular subject for car modelers. 

A thanks go to Sam Barris and his inspiration for the lead sled he made for Sam Hirohata which started a craze the likes of which would be an association much like the “deuce” was to hot-rodders.  Our consignment is the quintessential “lead sled” with its awesome “Buck Rogers Rocket” lines, purple nurple paint that dances with your eyes on various curved and shaved surfaces, big chrome teeth for the grille, and a killer side profile.  We give you this rolling work of art where every detail makes other cars envious not just in its size, but beautiful lines and some exaggerated features that play up the theme to the nines.  This 51 Merc is eye candy times 10.

Exterior
Arriving in our first zip code is the massive mostly blacked out 53 Desoto grille that has vertical teeth polished to the nines to grind up the competition.  Purple neon tubes are inserted in the grille and wheel well areas and can be turned on by a switch on the dash.  Flanking this big chrome is more…well 5+inch frenched circular headlights on the front quarters  and a shaved bumper, (non existent).  Just above these “teeth” a bulbous hood that is leading the way for the wonderfully large hood bathed in grape ultra shiny Deep Grape Purple paint.  A few dents, areas of paint lifting, (mainly along the bodyline on the passenger's rear quarter panel), and dings are noted all bodywork throughout rounded integrated fenders with more curves than Brigitte Bardot are bathed in grape metallic which makes its way back to the large door which has also been shaved of its handles now actuated by a popper.  In the next zip code is the passenger compartment roof that has been chopped 5-1/2 inches and is the definition of low and slow.  This coupled with a body that has been channeled gives it a more “grounded” look for the  eye-catching slow cruise and quality.  A split pillar-less front windshield angles to either side and adds to the look.  In back past the B pillar is a small “necker checker” window matching the rear roof line.  Looking much like an extrusion, this jelly bean shaped car has an exaggerated shaved rear quarter sporting the fender skirts revealing just a scooch of the rear tire.  The back end of the car with the chopped roofline now takes on a very rounded over gracefully angled quality and sports a rounded over trunk.  On either side batman like wings in grape extend past the trunk and house not one, not two not 3… but 4 antennas which are frenched and electrified to disappear.  For the rear roll pan we see pointed vertical oval devil faced tail lights with a blue dot inserts that have chromed exhaust exits next to them with flame throwers worked into these pipes.  Also a frenched license plate is in the center.  Ivory handled old school halogen spotlights are hanging off of either side to check out the side scenery at night.  Dodge Lancer hubcaps are in chrome are spinning round and round on 15-inch steel wheels.  A very mean grape jellybean!

Interior
As with many no expenses spared and no concept too wild, the interior reflects the work put into the exterior.  We are greeted with door panels that have grape metallic sills and white smooth uppers in leather and vertical tuck and roll lowers.  Some purple piping lineages the surfaces and also shiny chromed cranks and actuators are in this field.  I slipped inside and sat upon a Cadillac power actuated overstuffed parchment, (white), leather bench with purple between the smooth bolsters and tuck and roll centers.  It's just a visual playdate with the doors and sucks you in.  The rear bench has gone missing and now replaced by a boxed leather covered panel.  Our consignor states he has a rear bench if you want to add more passengers to the interior.  Above, the headliner is paneled white but has a purple neon tube to illuminate the interior..trippy!  Upfront the mercury dash retains its original shape but has been modded to include some airbrushed ice chip purple pattern for the top and front.  Large vertical ribbed chrome is in for the dash lowers and it has a peppering of purple/white striped resin knobs and toggles.  The instruments have been replaced by a single Auto Meter white faced digital odometer and speedometer/tach combination gauge within a black field.  Vertical ribs extend to the center of the dash and more purple /white striped slider knobs and pulls are seen.  Below the dash are a lineup of no less than 5 aftermarket gauges to keep your eyes on the pulse of the mill.  More chipped ice airbrushing for the glovebox which now houses a CB radio with a drive-in movie speaker in the corner as well as a Sony aftermarket digital AM/FM/CD/USB radio.  The white steering wheel is from a 67 Impala, (think chevron design), and goes well with the retro dash and teardrop knobs and pulls.  Black carpeting floods the floors and is near perfection.  Sensory overload but in a good way!!

Drivetrain
They say cleanliness is next to godliness and this engine bay could start another religion.  It is that clean. In the center is the heart of the cruiser in the form of a 302ci V8 circa 1980.  It is fed by a Holley 650cfm 4-barrel carburetor and has a C5 3-speed automatic transmission on back.  A Ford 9 inch with 2.60 rear axle is now spinning the rear wheels and assisting with the low and slow cruise.  Dusk glasspack muffler equipped exhaust are on and these have had mounted spark plugs that can produce flames out the back when needed to threaten your competition!

Undercarriage
A lot of patina and some rust here and there, but nothing remarkable.  This is an X frame car with front independent coil springs and rear leaf springs all with heavy duty shocks.  Power drum brakes are on all 4 corners and we note power steering is on as well.

Drive-Ability
Sitting inside such an amazing vehicle one cannot help but put a smile on their face.  She fired right up, idled with a low rumble, and took off like a rocket.  All functions worked great, with good brakes, nice easy steering, and a beautiful cruiser that turned more heads on our test drive than if I would have walked naked down main street...but I digress...  I did not take time to throw a few flames but I certainly listened to the back up recording shout to me “Attention!! this vehicle is backing up…  WOW

Every now and again amidst all the classics that show themselves at our front door, one becomes a standout for its design, construction, awesome power, or just plain old uniqueness.  This one covers all those bases and then some, and is a most beautiful 1951 Mercury lead sled example.  All in grape and with plenty of extras as to lighting, interior and custom it is truly one of a kind.  Low hanging fruit of you will!

51DA34206M

51-1951
DA-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
34206-Sequential Unit Number
M-Mercury

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.