TOM'S '51 MERCURY

Tom Kowalski wasted little time carting the Mercury from his Colorado home to Hot Rods by Dean in Phoenix, AZ. It was a bold shop selection and Tom says he spent a lot of time "explaining to people that a relatively new shop run by a 35-year-old kid could make a {traditional} project like this come to life. “Seeing Dean’s previous work gave Tom all the assurance he needed.

Another factor in Tom’s favor was his own good taste and design sense. The modifications he requested included a host of classic treatments, starting with a tasteful top chop-2 inches in front, 3 in back, plus an additional inch in the crown-with leaned B-pillars and ’50 rear glass. The headlights were frenched using ’54 Merc rings, while the molded grille opening was filled with ’53 DeSoto teeth. Rounded front and rear hood corners and a reshaped ’53 DeSoto bumper completed the forward appearance.

Moving back, the signature Mercury “humps” were removed from the doors, leaving straight, graceful fadeaway fender lines. These were completed with ’53 Buick side trim capped with small rocker panel lights in handmade housings. Rounded door corners, molded quarter-panels, and flush-fit fender skirts smoothed things out further.

The aft appearance was refined using frenched ’54 Merc taillights and a bumper built from two ’53 DeSoto units. That bumper, and all other brightwork, was plated at Finishing Touch in Chicago. When Dean’s shop was done with the bodywork, Doug Jerger at Squeeg’s Kustoms loaded his gun with custom-mixed PPG bone white and candy red hues to lay down the fantastic finish.

While sparks and paint were flying in Arizona, Earl Floyd Engines in Portland, Oregon, was freshening up the 276ci Merc Flathead with new bearings and rings. The little mill was topped with Offy heads, finned aluminum accessories, Fenton headers, and three Stromberg 97s on an Offy intake before being delivered to Dean’s for paint and detailing. Earl also rebuilt the original three speed overdrive transmission.

Most of the car stayed true to ‘50s form, but a few chassis updates were made for safety and comfort. Dean’s crew installed a Jamco ball joint conversion kit, disc brakes, sway bar along with custom upper control arms. The frame was a C-notched before another Jamco sway bar and dearched leaf springs were installed in back. Tru Design built custom front wheels to accept Cadillac hubcaps, and Diamondback Classic whitewall radials were used all around.

Stitch master Lance Troupe was called upon to finish the Merc with period-style upholstery, and delivered by wrapping the stock front seat and custom rear in supple, cream colored leather. Even the inside of the firewall got the rolled and pleated treatment, contrasting nicely with the body-color dash. An American Autowire harness sparked things to life.

After waiting a half-century to scratch his chopped Merc itch, Tom relished watching his candy-and-cream custom reach completion in just 18 months. “As a kid, the only way I could afford a car was to work on it myself,” Tom says. “Now I’m lucky enough to have the car built the way it would have been, back in the day,” He’s well aware that the preservation efforts of the car’s previous owners helped make the project possible. “If they were here to see it,” Tom says, “I’d like to think they would be smiling.”