Customs Anybody recognize this 1949 Mercury?

This is going to be sold in the near future in Michigan . Just wondering if anybody knew about the history of this car. These are the only photos that I have seen. Thanks

 

Garage stimulation indeedy...hope you get first dibs on it...thanks for the heads up and sharing the treat...hopefully some news surfaces...

 

Looks bitchin!

 

It may be too sexy for it’s paint job .​

 

Never saw it before, but it looks neat, lots of custom work done. The chopped up accessory steering wheel is a punch in the gut, but you could cut the top off of a plain wheel, grind the plastic back on the ends, weld it back together and fill in the gaps to repair it, it's still fixable.

I dig the chop with the Impala roof vent, and I even kinda like the old green paint job. I'd be tempted to trim the rear bumper pan down some, but I could definitely imagine saving this car survivor-style with a few tweaks.

 

I was contacted by someone and told that they had rode in it in 1964. It was put away soon after and had never been finished.

 

Looks like a really nice chop job too.

I agree a little rear end work would help.

Take the rear bumpers, cut about an inch out length ways to narrow their height then I'd cut back the lip above them almost flush with the bumpers or at least get rid of the bump over the license plate.

The impala rear scope definitely has to stay and add a pair of sunken antennas on the rear quarter.

Maybe a candy root beer or one I'd really like to see, 2006 ram khaki with bright white interior.

 

Rat whats the scoop?

 

Damn, phat, I'm sitting here with the title of a Vanilla Fudge song playing in my head.

 

I recognize the car that's all

 

Sold today at auction for 9K. A local guy who also knew the builder/owner bought it to keep. Needle nose bubble skirts and lake pipes were inside the car. The Pontiac frt bumpers plus a spare pair had been found and were included

 

$9K seems like a good deal! And nice it went to someone who knew the builder and wants to keep it.

 

For those moaning about the steering wheel, it wasn't that big of a deal back in the very early 60's when this car was done. It was just another steering wheel

 

It would be cool if the new owner finishes and you see it done . I can't talk to loud , my own Merc has taken way to many years to finish. It sucks that life gets in the way all the time! Larry

 

I'll see it. We know each other and live maybe 20 mi. apart

 

Great way of clearing the View Thru The Shield with a little George Jetson thrown in...

That was an Aviation thing wasn't it...Perhaps the owner/builder had a Love for that...doesn't make it right or wrong but perhaps a motive...seen it on numerous post war dry lakes racers...



Credit to Photographer, Owner
​

 

I see it different. The car is a custom. The steering wheel looks good, the cut looks appropriate for the time. It was not the last accessory steering wheel. I like it.

Some would say the same thing about the chopping of a car; a '32 coupe, Model T, '50 merc, you name it.

The beauty about customs. It is in the eye of the beholder and more so, the eye of the owner.

 

Can't be beat. Looks great even when cut.

 

"Bought it to keep". Does he have plans to finish the build or keep it salted away? Any engine in it? Can you get/share a pics of the front end treatment, and engine?

When work was stopped and it was parked 1964ish, that's when Customs were quickly falling out of favor and getting parked, parted out or unceremoniously junked/left to rot.
Any idea who did the chop/metalwork? (Alexander Brothers, Bill Hines, Dick Dean were all early Detroit area metalmen).
I'd be tempted to get it running, install some glass and drive it for awhile paint as is. It's a great find and the car really deserves to see the road again.

 

Thanks for posting this. A true survivor from the early 60`s. A guy buys it and and hopefully will appreciate it it for what it is. That`s what The HAMB is about You either get it or you don`t.

 

Oh the new owner appreciates it. He's known the car for a long time. He came to the auction planning on spending more in order to get it. He told me he will get it running and probably drive it basically as is for a while.
As far as the running gear, it's a 265" with stock Merc trans
No big name builders attached to the car, the owner built it himself. Looking at his obit he was 24 when I met him in early 64 and rode in the car. Before he built the Merc he had built a chopped 51 Victoria that was totaled when someone ran a light.
I'm having trouble trying to post front end pics so try this link
https://www.artsmithauctioneers.com/project/photos/52692

 

Good job Jack. I did not get the Kellison coupe. Someone else wanted it more.

 

I was wondering if you got it or not. I left about 2, there wasn't really anything else I had any interest in

 

It really isn't a find. Many older car guys in the area were aware the car was in his basement. Yes I said basement, when he built the house he built it with egress to the basement. So the pictures showing cement block walls are of it in its stall in the basement where it was dry and rodent free. It was in there for about 50 yrs

 

Here ya go @phat rat

 

Thanks

 

Kellison? What other treasures were in the estate?
Never mind, got the link to work.....


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Even wilder looking outside. Glad it's in good hands. I'd be tempted to tone down a few things like that big hood notch and the length of the rear pan, but overall I still like it.

 

That kustom is kool, but the Kellison!!!

 

I will include some more photos that I took at the auction and there was a photo on the window of what it looked like back in the day.