Hi all, I'm new to the hamb. I have recently purchased a 49 mercury here in Australia. I believe it was known well on the hamb as Blown49! If anyone has any history, build info or photos please feel free to share. Thanks.
That Merc belonged to Jim Leis from southwest Ohio. It’s probably been 10 years or so since Jim passed. I met Jim in the early years of my flathead experience….maybe around 2002 or 03. I took a fun road trip with Jim in that Mercury from Cincinnati up to Columbus, Ohio. We planned a meeting with Rumbleseat (Paul Garrigan, D: 2013) at a car themed restaurant on the north side of Columbus. Rumbleseat was on the return loop of one of his epic trips across the country in his cool 34 roadster. Both Jim and Paul were great,self made guys, who shared a love for vintage flathead hot rods. Jim’s Mercury had the stock Borg Warner overdrive, which he’d setup to operate by a switch, instead of using the governor. The overdrive made for a nice cruise during the two hour drive that day. If I remember correctly, the Merc had a Weiand blower, which was polished. The motor ran sweetly that day for sure.
Thanks so much for the cool story and info! Yes I have discovered the switch next to the overdrive leaver. It really does drop the rpm nicely. It is still running the 8BA with the weiand blower.
Type in Blown49 and you will find Jims old profile . Beautiful car hope you find what you are looking for .
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