1950 Mercury Eight Convertible

Within its era and beyond, the Mercury Eight was popular with customizers. In 1949, Sam Barris built the first lead sled from a 1949 Mercury Eight; the 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 sidevalve 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 modellers.

A thanks goes 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 hotrodders. The “Hirohata” Mercury just sold in January 2022 for over $2,000,000. Our consignment is the quintessential “lead sled” with a twist. Starting as a 4-door sedan, our consignor went big by removing the roof and sealing shut one of the rear doors, we now have a one of a kind 3 door Merc convertible. With big chrome teeth for the grille, and a killer side spear, a Continental kit, and chrome trimmings aplenty, we give you a rolling work of art. 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 50 Merc is eye candy times 10.

Exterior
Arriving in our first zip code is the massive oval opening Merc grille that is polished to the nines and has teeth aplenty to grind up the competition. Flanking this big chrome is more…well chrome with rounded headlights complete with wide bezels in chrome and even more chrome with the MERCURY lettering embossed within to lead off the hood. This fronts a bulbous hood that is framed by rounded integrated fenders with more curves than Brigitte Bardot are bathed in red which makes its way back to the large single door on the driver's side and dual doors on the passengers. A lower belt line trim spear works its way from front to rear and includes more block Mercury script. Sans roof we have full time open air motoring with a clean split windshield framing the interior trimmings, clean white tonneau cover and beautiful door handles with some extra embellishments in the form of dual spotlights on the A-pillars. More smooth red runs to the rear of the car, on a rounded rear quarter with their removable skirts, shades of Marilyn Monroe. Even the gas filler door is trimmed for extra effect. On the back is more chrome in the form of cat eye taillight bezels, some big chrome in the form of a bumper that wraps around the rear quarters and the obligatory Continental kit. New Coker wide whites with polished Lancer spinner caps finish out the exterior of this ride.

Interior
As with many no expenses spared, no concept too wild for the interior reflects the work put into the exterior. Here we see custom white vinyl with chrome trim, handles and cranks and surrounding trimmings and this is just the doors! Slipping inside our posterior is met with fresh covered benches, it's a 3 door so no need for a split front bench. The seats are all white vinyl tuck and roll lowers and a split tuck and roll smooth upper section and look brand spankin new. Much like the original design the metal dash is showing in exterior matching red is all shiny mirror-like art deco inspired chrome ribbing. This is fronted by a whiter than white steering wheel atop a factory column with a tachometer attached. Within the chrome waterfall of the dash are a bevy of gauges, knobs and pulls for various functions and just below in the center are a pair of aftermarket gauges. The original AM radio is still in place and looks just fab. Clean red carpet floods the floors and any sharp edges left from the conversion have been covered by white vinyl padding.

Drivetrain
Smooth, clean, and to the point, and this engine bay is spot on for all those terms. A blinged out 350ci V8 topped by an Edlebrock 4bbl carburetor, and a TH350 tranny on back in 3-speed automatic configuration. Way back is a 3.90 geared rear axle, and it is all systems go! A shout out to the bay, which is covered in black paint, and provides a nice backdrop to show off the orangish red mill.

Undercarriage
Very original nice patina, no rust, and plenty of new add ons. A stock independent coil sprung front suspension is on, and in back the car utilizes leaf springs and factory drums brakes are on both fore and aft. A solid X frame supports all this menagerie and a dual exhaust system with glasspack mufflers works its way to the rear of the car where exhaust gases exit from horizontal flared tips.

Drive-Ability
Sitting inside such an amazing vehicle one cannot help but put a smile on his face. She fired right up, idled with a low rumble, and took off like a rocket. 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...we noticed that the only gauges working were the 2 aftermarket units below the dash and the tachometer and this car does not come with a roof.

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 Kustom 1950 Mercury lead sled example.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.