Projects Finding an old Kustom

The history and all the pictures really makes it special!

 

Brakes and fuel, check.
I'd look at the cooling system too. 20 years with dissimilar metals does funny things.
The Ford distributors tend to lock up over time, too. Give the base a little spray.
I remember that mag! It's probably on the shelf, but I know better than to start diggin'.

 

Here is the Low Rider in the KKOA book. Gene was member #59 so he must’ve been an original guy to join.

 

Man, what a great find.
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Pretty certain I have a photo or two of this Merc somewhere. Most likely from the Hangin Dice Nationals in the late 90s. If I run across them I will post them up for ya.

 

Congrats !

 

Nice car done right. Honestly I would not have said it's an 80 build, it could have come straight out of the early 50s.

 

I got the Merc up in the air to start tearing into it. I got the old gas tank and fuel lines out. I’m going to turn the brake drums today and replace all the brake parts.
I took out all the rear suspension too. I’ve got new 4” dropped leaf springs coming. So it will get new springs, blocks, u-bolts, shocks and bushings. The car had these really old lowering blocks double stacked on each side.
Her is how the back of the master cylinder looked. Nice and toasty.

 

Holy master cylinder, Batman!

 

I remember Gene. He and my dad became good friends. They met at the first merc/deuce reunion in 79 and stayed in touch after. The merc was purple back then. I'm glad to see the old girl coming back. Well done!

 

That is awesome, your Dad had some great Mercs!

Here is the Merc at the 79’ Merc Deuce Reunion.

 

I got the new 4” dropped springs from St. Louis Spring today. Here is a side by side comparison. I also turned all 4 drums over the weekend and cleaned and painted underneath the car to prepare for the new gas tank to go in. I pulled the radiator out to have it cleaned and started to clear parts out of the way to remove the engine for a good clean and re gasket and paint.

 

Saweeet! Congrats,it's really !!

 

Here are some more build pics of the Merc. Here it is getting the top chopped at Custom Jim’s Shop in I believe 1981.

 

It also got a new hood to replace the louvered one that was on it when it was purple. The hood corners were also rounded.

 

So cool that you got all that history with the car! That is priceless!

 

This is great!!

 

COOL STORY

 

I pulled the engine and transmission this weekend to install all new gaskets and clean and paint everything. Things are moving right along.

 

You are a busy little beaver!!!

 

Pushed the Merc out of the garage this weekend to power wash everything under the hood and frame so it can all be repainted. So I washed the car too. Can’t wait to get it back on the road.

 

man what a cool find. and way to keep making progress so fast!

 

Making good progress!

 

Damn that BABY is Gorgeous!!!!!!!

 

I took out the original torched front coil springs. It’s hard to believe that this thing has had heated springs in it for so long. Yeah the shocks are toast too.
Here are the new Aerostar springs next to the old ones. All the front end parts were removed, blasted and painted. It’s all ready to go back in now.

 

Once you are done running through this thing, can you whip down here and get the front suspension thrown under the Lavender Lady since you are so fast and I am not? Haha!! Nice job!!!

 

After you are done at Dave’s, my 56 needs a front end rebuild as well.

 

I tell you what it’s a dirty job getting the front end out and cleaning and restoring it. It’s always my least favorite part of the job. I’ll come do the Lavender Lady but that means I will have to do some long test drives.

 

When you get those two jobs done . I’ve got a 47 Mercury that needs front end work. I’ll even feed you some home grown beef steak

 

You ain't kidding about a dirty job. I'm half way through disassembly on the Chevy and I think I've gone through 3 sets of clothes and 65 rags to get that far. LOL