SUMMARY

5-year restoration completed in 2012
454 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission
Custom interior / Maxi Kooler air conditioning
Modified all-steel body / Custom pearl 2-stage paint
Modern suspension / Air ride equipped
Sale includes build receipts and component manuals
Power rack-and-pinion steering / Power front disc and rear drum brakes
Ford 9-inch rear axle
Sony Xplod audio

In a world where fiberglass street rods are a fact of life, inding a unique and authentic cruiser can be challenging. Some builds are dated and need to be modernized, hile others are so thoroughly modern they'll be dated by next year. One of the best bets you can place is on a timeless creation like this impressive, ll-steel Merc. It's a fully sorted masterpiece that was carefully planned and bolted together by someone who definitely knew their way around a garage. The parts list includes familiar items like a big block V8, smooth shifting 4-speed, rilliant paint and a custom-stitched interior; but the execution of those items is what sets the car apart. If you've been searching for a super cool street rod that can be driven and shown with pride, his impressive kustom is the perfect solution!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Carving a mid-lux niche with grand proportions and classic good looks, he '40 Mercury has always been a highly desirable car. And not surprisingly, earheads, ustomizers and 75 years' worth of fans have elevated it to one of hot rodding's greatest cultural icons. A chopped cruiser that benefitted from an extensive, -year restoration, his awesome coupe began its new life as a show stopping head turner back in 2012. That restoration, onducted by Sports Car Collision of McAdenville, orth Carolina, aw the car's voluptuous body stripped all the way to bare metal. Once that metal was super solid and virtually flawless, haved doors were complemented with a pancaked hood and power operated decklid. That thoroughly tweaked profile was sealed in a custom coat of pearl 2-stage. And today, his razor-sharp kustom is one sizzling classic that looks cooler than pretty much every car at any show its owner chooses to attend!

The styling of Mercury's first generation Eight was fairly successful in differentiating the brand from its comparable Ford cousin; a virtue that continues to fuel to the car's timeless desirability. At the front of this clean custom, polished grille rides between a nosed hood and frenched tri-bar headlights. Behind that hood, reased and stainless-trimmed glass rides between capped wipers and polished mirrors. Beneath that glass, illed fender seams ride between polished trim and color-keyed fender skirts. And at the back of those seams, decked trunk rides between small, hrome-trimmed taillights.

ENGINE

Like it or not, ometimes it's good to break tradition. And breaking tradition is one thing that makes this Merc so impressive. Lift the car's domed hood and you'll find 454 cubic inches of big block muscle that mixes miles of power with mountains of torque! At the top of the fully detailed mill, finned and polished air cleaner feeds a coated Holley 770 that's throttled by a quality Lokar linkage. The resulting energy mixture makes its way from a coated Weiand intake to cast iron Chevrolet heads. When those heads flood the cylinders, Delco-Remy HEI distributor sequences fire through loomed Taylor plug wires. Resultant gases are jettisoned through ceramic-coated block hugger headers. Cooling is provided by a beefy Walker radiator, hich rides behind a giant electric pusher fan. Charge comes courtesy of a polished alternator that, long with a coated AC compressor, pins behind aesthetically pleasing pulleys. And overall, he car's smooth engine compartment is exceptionally clean, eaturing details like a chrome brake booster, QQN Equipment breathers, roven Haywire wiring, nd polished and finned valve covers.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Every good street rod has a solid foundation. Flip this channeled classic upside down and you'll find a roster of mechanical improvements that mix vintage looks with modern mobility. A tough 700R4 4-speed drives a sturdy Ford 9-inch, hich pushes a fully boxed chassis. At the nose of that chassis, Fat Man front-half centers power rack-and-pinion steering between pliable air bags. At the back of that chassis, modern 4-bar setup utilizes two more air bags to increase grip and maintain ride height. Power front disc and rear drum brakes are a welcome addition and big performance upgrade. There's a free-flowing, rue-dual exhaust system that makes good use of Flowmaster dual-chamber mufflers. And everything rides on red steelies, hich spin 185/70R15 front, nd 225/70R15 rear, F Goodrich Silvertown Radial whitewalls around mind-bending covers.

INTERIOR

Installed by Car's Classic Interiors of Lincolnton, orth Carolina, his coupe's stylish cockpit is a sea of plush Vanilla. A '48 Ford dash hangs VDO telemetry, axi Kooler air conditioning and MP3-compatible Sony Xplod audio between billet foot pedals, tilt steering column and an old school "V8" branded wheel. In front of that dash, road bench seats feature aviation-quality leather surfaces. At the sides of those seats, uliano's power windows frame faux leather side panels, illet door pulls, olished door handles and Sony Xplod speakers. That dash, eat and panel trifecta is sandwiched between monochromatic carpet and a color-keyed headliner. And behind the cabin, fully finished trunk provides ample storage space.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

Build receipts
Component manuals
A pair of wiper arms

Truman-era Mercs have aged with more grace than most, earing a design that's still capable of turning heads even in its basic factory form. The restorer's decision to take those basics and make proven, ime-tested adjustments is a huge part of why this kustom works so well. With its massaged motor, mooth-shifting 4-speed, omfortable interior and vintage swagger, ou'll never tire of finding this sled in your garage. Stop watching opportunity pass you by. Add this classic to your collection today!