1949 was a watershed year for Detroit as the 1942 models (which had their production stopped due to World War II and were offered as warmed-over placeholders from 1946 to 1948) were retired and new, modern styling was offered to car-hungry consumers. Mercury was boasting about its “All-New” car for 1949, bragging about its new styling, its long, low, sweeping lines, and its new low-to-the-road construction. Ford’s head stylist Bob Gregorie succeeded in creating a longer, lower, more luxurious Mercury. He probably never imagined that his new “pontoon” styling would be embraced by the growing custom car crowd in California who looked at the ’49 Merc and said, “Thanks, Bob, you’ve already given us a nice head start.” Here’s a cool example of what all the fuss was about over 70 years ago. It’s an older build so its not perfect, but many of the iconic customized car boxes can be checked off. Currently located in Los Angeles, California, this 1950 Mercury Coupe “lead-sled” is for sale here on eBay for $30,000. It is being sold through Lordz of Kustomz in L.A. One visit to lordzofkustomz.com and you’ll see that this outfit knows a thing or two about customized ’49-’51 Mercurys.
Not a lot of history or background is given about this ’50 Merc except that it is “an older build and has some flaws in the paint” that is shown in a photograph. It’s primarily white with a metallic blue design (not flames) taking up most of the front end and fenders with “Last Dance” painted just ahead of the doors. Color-contrasting pinstriping can be seen on the front hood and rear deck that is period-correct and tastefully done. What a cool profile and statement this old Merc makes!
And check out that long, swooping rear and those outrageous fender skirts. The seller includes a long list of the surgery performed on this Merc and describes it in the ad as “chopped, all glass cut down, frenched headlights, ’55 DeSoto grille, rounded hood corners, shaved doors, nosed, decked, cruising skirts, frenched rear lights, custom body trim, and lake pipes.” It’s also sporting period-correct white walls (and curb feelers so you don’t scuff ’em up) and the popular Oldsmobile spinner wheel covers.
Inside you’ll find that the white and blue exterior custom paint scheme has been carried over beautifully. That’s quite a statement in what a classic 50’s custom Tuck ‘n’ Roll interior should look like. The seats and door panels look very good and that blue piping is the perfect compliment.
Although Mercury promoted its redesigned new “Safe-T-View” instrument panel for 1950, this one has been fitted with a 1949 Mercury dash with aftermarket gauges. The seller also shares that the Merc has “vintage air conditioning, stereo, and that all lights work including turn signals.” Check out the cool blue additions to the gear shifter and instrument panel. It appears the carpet is dark blue and also compliments the cabin’s color scheme.
This ’50 Mercury originally left the factory with an L-Head V8 that developed 110 horsepower at 3600 rpm, but it is now being powered by a Ford 302-cubic inch engine. The seller describes the drivetrain as “302 motor, auto trans, Ford 9″ rear end,” and lists the odometer at 167,211. No other details are shared. One look at this classic customized cruiser and you can see why so many ’49-’51 Mercury Coupes visited custom shops once they became used cars and their prices dropped. It also explains why today it is getting harder to find a stock, untouched Mercury Coupe from that era.
Customization without exaggeration.
Interesting.
Fancy car except the slippy seatbench at front. I bet by all this
customized Mercury not many stock looking cars survived.
Back in the 80’s upgrades offered like this wheel covers and
lake pipes where popular in magazines like Hot Rod. Also
short K5 Chevy’s had been modded and chopped.
Cool ka. Nice memories.
Beautiful custom. The hubcaps are knockoffs with the cross hatched design behind the spinner. I too liked the ’49 dashboard and used the instruments in my ’32 Ford street rod. Those were the days.
It’s a nice tribute to the Hirohata Merc.
Very nice period custom
AwESOME!! This here will surely divide the viewers, who thinks this is cool, and those who don’t. This is the epitome of “old school” customs, and screams James Dean, his a 1949. All lead sled Mercs of this era were linked to James Dean from “Rebel without a cause”, even though, his Merc looked nothing like this. After his death, he and the car became more famous than in real life, I think. While this may seem over done to some, it didn’t get any cooler than this, and not sure lead is used here, but I remember in the 70s, some body shops still used lead instead of bondo. Trouble was, lead is toxic, and those guys are all pushing daisies now. Very cool, I made plastic models of these cars, as close as I got to a lead sled.
I was in a trade school in 1971 and we used lead. There was no plastic filler allowed there.
A Ford engine in a Ford Motor Car.
What a concept !
Yea its a custom, and the work done would cost you 50k if you hired someone to do it. Long and low. Praise the Lowered!
Cheers
GPC
Now this is a serious custom!!! Gorgeous looking car, one I’d
love to own and drive. Only thing I’d change on this one is to remove the flames. Other than that this one’s a beauty.
I think we called those scallops rather than flames
Check out the builders website (After you have looked at everything here, of course)
Nice custom lead sled. At one time I didn’t like this period of cars, but then realized they had a rightful place with custom cars from the era.
My uncle had a body shop and used lead. I remember him brazing patches and I helped grind and clean and acid etch the area to clean it for lead.
I remember he did a lot of work on a Merc. convertible and took it to final paint.
Nosed, decked door handles removed… Dark metallic blue with a white top.
I liked it, I had a lot of time in that car with him.
What a great car that brought up a lot of great comments. And I learned something new too. I’ve always heard the mercury cars called lead sleds, but never knew they actually used lead for body repair. Thank you Ron Denny for your excellent write up and for sharing this car with us. This car has the wow factor!!