If you're a Ford (or Mercury) guy and get tired of all the Impalas at shows, you should take a closer look at this very cool 1961 Mercury Meteor. A traditional "old school" custom with pearl and metallic paint work and a gorgeous interior, it makes a statement without going overboard. Oh, and I suppose I should mention that it's got a strong-running 390 and remains a lot of fun to drive.If you were there in the '60s when custom paint work was all the rage, this car should bring back some fond memories. Or perhaps you just like the way the great artists used to do it, making this car a fitting tribute to a lost art. Either way, this Mercury has it going on. At a glance, the white paint doesn't jump out at you, but in the sun, the pearl and metallic mixed into the finish make it glow from within, and it's a very traditional look. Even better, there's custom artwork on the roof, purple designs that accurately reflect the state-of-the-art customs from the period. The bodywork underneath is in great shape, with nice straight quarters and a few tasteful mods, including shaved door handles and emblems. On the other hand, the Merc keeps its nicely detailed grille, stainless rub stripes, and that ornate rear bumper. It also has some tasteful pinstripe work on the deck lid, as well as taillights that probably resulted in an angry letter from the management at Chevrolet.The soft white vinyl interior has a mixture of original custom touches that really tie it all together. The biggest modification is the sparkling purple steering wheel, but when you look at the total package, it really works. The upholstery is in great condition and the original bench seats are quite comfortable for long trips or short cruises. You'll really dig the custom door panels and note that this car is equipped with power windows, which are always a nice find in vehicles of this vintage. The instruments and controls are stock Mercury, although someone has thoughtfully added a trio of auxiliary gauges under the dash, as well as a cool shifter knob to dress it up a bit. And while that's the original AM radio in the dash, it's been upgraded with an iPod adapter and amplifier, plus speakers throughout the interior, to offer much more up-to-date entertainment. The trunk was also dressed up a bit with purple carpets, and it includes a custom pinstriped air cleaner housing, just in case you like the look.The big 390 cubic inch V8 under the hood makes the Mercury feel light on its feet and powerful around town. A few chrome dress-up pieces give it a racy period look and there's a fresh 4-barrel carburetor up top, as well as ceramic-coated exhaust manifolds. Like most customs, it isn't about the engine, but at the same time, they did add some pinstripes on the inner fenders and selectively accented parts like the brake booster with more purple paint. The Merc-O-Matic 2-speed automatic transmission has a shift kit installed, so it really snaps to attention, and that exhaust system was recently custom built, including the cool rear-mounted side pipes for a cool look. New springs and shocks were installed to give it a new car ride and the shiny Cragar mags are brand new, as are the 215/75/14 whitewalls they're wearing.Uncommon and nicely done, this is a traditional mild custom that's very usable and totally cool. If you were there, you get it, and if you only wish you were there, this car will take you back. Call today!