When we read about folks who discover a rare car in a barn or garage, it's only natural to wonder if people really can get that lucky. Are those stories true? A desirable car, hidden from prying eyes, slumbering for decades, like the enchanted Sleeping Beauty?
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Well, it doesn't happen very often, just once in a blue moon. To witness, this perfectly preserved 1950 Mercury Coupe we have the pleasure to feature here is a true garage find. Elaborately restored over the course of several years, it was the previous owner's labor of love, and once finished, it was driven just a few miles and then put in dry storage. The car remained hidden in the garage for 22 years, until the spring of 2012, when we had the pleasure to recommission it.
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To be able to wipe off decades-old dust and unearth a treasure: truly a special occasion! The term automobile archaeology comes to mind.
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The sticker gracing the blue-and-gold California vanity plate "A 50 MERC" tells us when the car was last on the road: back in 1990, twenty-two years ago. The desirable personalized plates remain with the car and are part of this auction.
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Also part of the auction is a library of manuals and catalogues. The owner spent years in his pursuit to create one of the finest '50 Mercs on the planet, and he left nothing to chance.
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Finally, there's a pickup load of genuine Merc spares, including a rear window, a dash, two tube radios, and a nice arsenal with hundreds of NOS and used goodies in various cans, boxes, and cartons.
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Let's dive in head first and inspect this toothbrush clean Merc from head to toe now, shall we?
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Not unlike the '32 Ford 3-window Coupe, the Deuce, a '49/'50 Mercury Sport Coupe is an American automobile icon of the highest order. The 1949 Mercury was an acclaimed, almost magical car. As a result, the '49, as well as its brother, the almost identical 1950 model, has been a prime collector car for generations. The love child of customizers from Los Angeles to Winnipeg, most have been chopped and turned into Lead Sleds, beginning when they were new. Remember the Hirohata Merc? That world famous Custom car was radically re-styled by the Barris Bros. when it was just a few months old!
Finding an unmolested, stock Merc Coupe, let alone a finely restored one, is something you rarely, if ever, hear about.
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Well, let's embrace the occasion and dig deeper. Click on the image to the right for an XXL-sized view |
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The car was completely taken apart and rebuilt from the frame up. Engine compartment looks as clean as that of a one year-old car.
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Power plant is the correct 24-stud, 255.4 cu. in., long-stroke, flathead V-8, producing 110 pretty wild horses, believed to be original to the car. This 8CM engine starts everytime at the first push of the button and literally purrs. There's no smoke, nor any oil leaks. We rebuilt the Ford-Holley split float, dual downdraft carburetor, cleaned the fuel lines, and installed a mechanical fuel pump from the NOS parts stash that came with the car. Carb seems to have a little flat spot upon initial acceleration which a little tuning should take care of. Note factory assembly line ink stamp and original battery housing, which contains a brand new, hidden OPTIMA high-performance 6-Volt unit.
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Merc sports its correct Everglade Green (factory code 11) color, a very attractive hue. Paint is smooth, glossy, and appears flawless, save for a few minor blems acquired during years of storage. Body panels fit excellently and we were not able to pinpoint any signs of prior rust or accident damage. Metal rear fender skirts are a very desirable option.
All chrome and stainless brightwork has been refinished professionally and is free of peeling or pitting.
Factory steel rims feature correct chrome hub caps and wide whitewall tires of the dimension H78-15.
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Turning our attention to the Coupe's spacious interior, we are struck by its cleanliness. Merc survived decades in a garage without any rodent or water damage.
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Pristine headliner and padded sun visors.
Note working dome light and chrome window garnish moldings.
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Dashboard is an Art Deco masterpiece; fully re-designed for 1950, it features the correct metallic fawn finish.
Check out the fantastically preserved, original steering wheel with full horn ring!
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Instrumentation and switch gear look factory fresh. Every last knob and gauge works perfectly, even the AM tube radio!
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American post-war cars offered room to spare -- the '50 easily sits three adults on its comfy front bench seat. Upholstery has been re-done in the very attractive, two-tone all leatherette material, an extra-cost option.
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Rear compartment, let's head to the next Drive-in theater! The cozy Coupe is a full 6-seater.
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Bone stock rear end, almost as bulbous as Jay-Lo's. Let's open the trunk lid and see what's inside.
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Luggage compartment looks very clean. Check out black rubber trunk mat, cardboard liner, large tire jack in tan burlap bag, matching whitewall tire and extra hub cap on spare.
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More trunk details.
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Car underwent a frame-off restoration. Floorboards show red oxide primer, factory correct. There's nothing but healthy factory sheet metal to be found here! Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Above: XXL-sized closeups for your enjoyment. We removed the faux left-hand tailpipe after taking the picture.
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Tuesday, May 29, was another sunny sunny day in San Buenaventura, one of those days that reminds us why we moved here in the first place.
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Heading out bright and early for a test drive and photo session, we are amazed at the Merc's prowess. Here's a 62 year-old Coupe that can be driven, worry free, in today's traffic. The Merc gets a phenomenal reception by other motorists and pedestrians alike.
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Natually, we are very careful, chauffeuring such a valuable car through the hilly Hobson Heights neighborhood. The '50 never misses a beat.
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Returning home, we are contemplating stock vs. customized Mercs. It's really refreshing to look at a stock example of America's favorite custom! Kinda like a pre-op transsexual. Would we slice and dice this one? Heck no, perhaps just mildly de-chrome it and lower it to make it look more like Dean's car from the movie.
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During the early 1950s, James Dean in "Rebel without a Cause" did for the '49-'51 Mercury Coupe what Marlon Brando in "The Wild One" did for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and black leather jackets: he bestowed immortality on a mere object, which became the essence of cool.
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This immaculately restored, mellow Merc will eternally be a link to the halcyon days of America's post-war coming-of-age; as such, it is a true cultural icon. Driving, enjoying, and even displaying this fine automobile at prestigious shows will imbue the new owner with the air of true connoisseurship.
Addendum:
We sold this exceptional '50 Mercury in summer of 2012 to an enthusiast in the Midwest.
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