Mercury 1955 - 1956 Custom & mild custom

Wahou ! C'te gueule !

Ever wonder what happened to all those monochromatic customs from the '80s? You know the ones-all one color with pastel graphics, side pipes, body-color bumpers, and steel modular wheels. There was nothing wrong with them per se, it's just they were of their time. However, some of 'em resurface as traditional customs thanks to the vision and talent of new owners. Steve Lucas' '56 Mercury Montclair is one such resurrection.

"The Merc was originally built in 1988 by Mike Thompson and John Childers at C&W Auto Body in Brookville, Ohio. It started as a rust-free example owned by a lady who moved back to Ohio from Los Angeles; the car was eventually sold by her estate in Erie, Pennsylvania. Every single nut, bolt, screw, and all the metal on the car was like brand new." Steve discovered all these details after tracking down the guys who first built the Merc. Apparently the car drove as though it was brand new too, and while most people wouldn't do anything to modify such a well-preserved car, as Steve says, "Most people are not custom car lovers!

"Once rebuilt, with no chrome or stainless, the Merc debuted at the James Dean Rebel Run in 1989 and went on to be shown on the ISCA circuit, where it took First Place in the Full/Radical Custom class, along with other awards," Steve says. "It was then sold in September 1990 to Scott Moorehouse, a friend who continued to show it at the ISCA competition in 1991, again taking First Place in many classes. It won Coolest Custom at the old Medina, Ohio, Goodguys event in 1992 and KKOA awards in 1993. In 1997, Moorehouse sold it to a guy in a neighboring city and it dropped out of sight. Five years later the owner contacted him saying he wanted to sell it. Moorehouse called me as he knew I was looking for a custom, though the engine, suspension, and body were showing signs of wear. With the help of friends I renewed the motor and suspension and drove the car to the Goodguys Columbus event in 2002. I wanted to resell it as I also had a '40 Merc and '65 Galaxie convertible, but my wife and two sons loved the long, low look and begged that we give the car a makeover. The family voted and I lost 3-1! I sold the '40 and set the money aside for the '56. I could only think of one shop that could bring the car back to life; Jerry's House of Kolor in Elyria, Ohio. Jerry Koenigsmark has been turning out award-winning rods and customs since 1957. His son, Joe, now handles the shop duties under his dad's watchful eye, and is one of the few local guys who takes time to go out west and study paint and bodywork trends. His annual vacation is to the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin' Nationals. This was a guy I wanted doing my car!

"I handed Joe the keys along with the artistic license to do what he saw fit. He took off all the metal trim and immediately sent it to Jason's Metal Polishing for removal of all the black paint, followed by fresh chrome, once repairs were made, as needed. The body was stripped and the few damaged spots repaired. We agreed on the paint color after much persuasion by Joe and the transformation began. I was hesitant on the scallops but after seeing them in tape on the car I trusted Joe's artistic eye-which I'm glad I did!

"Though I drive the car proudly I give much credit to Joe and my two boys. Their persuasion has given me a car that is unlike any other, and that is what I love about customs. They're like fine art for car guys. I am sure the little old lady who once owned this car is smiling down. I was honored at the compliments the car received from George Barris at a recent show, who took many pictures of my sons and the Merc."

Rod & Custom Feature Car
Steve Lucas
Amherst, Ohio
1956 Mercury Montclair

Chassis
Though the sheetmetal's all Mercury, its underpinnings are GM! The majority of the stock chassis remains, though Mike Thompson installed a '77 Nova front clip back in 1988 when the Merc was first built as a custom. This means the front suspension and steering, including the column, is stock Nova. The same Nova donated its rearend to the cause. Air shocks with an on-board compressor enable the rear of the car to be lowered, the work performed by Street Machinery in Euclid, OH.

Drivetrain
Seems Mike Thompson had a good '77 Nova kicking around when he built the Merc, as the 350 small-block and matching TH350 trans also came from the Chevy. Both remain stock, with absolutely no modifications listed on Steve's tech sheet, though the motor has some dress-up parts! Hey, it's a custom, there's no need to open the hood!

Body
The bodywork is where this Merc shines, as any self-respecting custom should. Most of the mods were tackled back in 1988 by John Childers, such as the pancaked hood, with frenched headlights that use '54 Merc rings under the peaks, 10-inch extended rear fenders housing quad '56 Packard taillights, and the removal of all trim and handles. The grille had its ends removed, and coupled with the removal of the bumper guards and a rolled pan, clean up the front end perfectly. Both bumpers were filled and smoothed before being re-chromed, while Jerry's House of Kolor in Elyria, OH, laid on the Hok True Blue pearl after bringing the body back to perfect condition. Joe Koenigsmark added the scallops.

Wheels & Tires
It has 14-inch Coker chrome wheels with Shannon cone centers wrapped in wide whitewall radials all round, though the rears are almost totally hidden behind skirts.

Interior
That '77 Nova crops up again as it gave up its front seat, while the rear is the stock Merc item. Pearl white rolled and pleated vinyl covers the whole interior, stitched by North Coast Upholstery in Lorrain, OH. A '60 Chevy steering wheel now crowns the Nova column. Airtique supplied the A/C, while a Ron Francis harness keeps everything running as it should, including the Pioneer stereo. Speedway Motors supplied the seatbelts, important with two young sons to consider.



Read more: http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/featuredvehicles/1012rc_1956_mercury_montclair/

1956 Mercury restyled by Riley's Custom Shop for Ray Cress of Chico, California. Ray's Merc was nosed and decked and the door handles were removed. The hood-corners were rounded rounded, and the front received another appearance by composing a new grille made from rod tubing and checkered mesh screen. The stock bumper was swapped in favor of a 1956 Oldsmobile unit. The upper part of the grille shell was reworked to match the profile of the Olds bumper, small bullets were mounted on the lower part of the grille as well. The rear fenders were extended 8" to allow 1956 Packard taillights to be installed. The rear bumper originated from a 1954 Cadillac. 1957 Ford sidetrim was installed, giving the car a new profile at first view. Air scoops were made onto the leading edges on the bulge located on the rear fenders and filled with mesh screen. A set of airscoops were incorporated at the ends of the 1957 Ford trims as well. Luchinbill's Upholstery in Chico, stitched up a complete new interior in pleated and rolled lime-gold and white leather. The car was fit with long fenderskirts from a 1957 Mercury, making the car look longer and sleeker. Once the bodywork was done, it was painted in lime-gold lacquer with scallops. Side stacks were added and the wheels were reversed, chromed, and fit with small hubcaps with bullets attached.[2]







In 1958 Ray's Mercury was nominated as one of 28 "Top Customs of the Year" in Motor Life July 1958, and a photo of the car was featured on the cover of the magazine.



Magazine Features

Motor Life July 1958
Car Craft May 1959
Classic & Custom January 1984

blaine kaufmans '56. chopped when it was 7 months old. still owned and driven by original owner.

This is a 1956 Mercury two door hardtop that has been built into this beautiful custom car. It is really a stunning vehicle in House of  Kolor Sunset Orange Pearl paint that glows in the sunshine. The body has many modifications including a 3 and half inch chopped top,  Frenched headlights, Packard taillights, rounded hood and trunk corners and so much more. The car has a Chevy Nova clip and Air  Ride Technology Suspension. The two photos above show the car lowered and with the suspension raised for driving. It has power  steering and power brakes with discs in front. Engine is a 305 V-8 with 700R4 transmission. Interior is a work of art done by the  Interior Guys in Richmond, Virginia. It is leather and suede - upholstery in the interior matches the trunk upholstery. Interior has a  custom console. Headliner alone is made up of 78 pieces of material.



This is a really sharp vehicle. It has been in the NSRA and Goodguys magazines and will be on Dennis Gage's My Classic Car on  the Velocity channel April 26th at 6:30am and April 27th at 9:30am.


It doesn't appear that the top is chopped but 3 and a half inches were removed.


This is a very tasteful design that appeals to everyone who sees it. Car not only looks great but runs, drives and rides excellent and  even gets good mileage.

Here it is lowered and below it has been raised for driving.



Hub caps are from a Cadillac - centers removed and bullets installed.

Car was pro built and it shows.

Merc has a custom made tube grill.

Note exhaust exits through the custom built pan.

Interior looks super - it even has matching floor mats

Lots of leather and suede were used to create this interior

Seats are comfy - this is a stunning interior

Custom console and pinstriping on white dash

Bullit steering wheel is covered in leather and suede like the rest of the interior. It sits on a tilt column. Note the reflection of the  headliner in the horn button. Speedometer is not working.


The box on the left side of the dash is for the air ride. There is also a remote so you can exit the car, stand back, hit the button and  lower or raise the vehicle.



Note underside of the dash has been covered.



Custom made console has gauges and a Jensen AM/FM/CD stereo. Cup holders are extra deep marine ones. Remote is for the air  ride.


Note pinstripes on the dash.



Glove box



Custom mats front and rear

Upholstery shop re-created the back seat making the bottom cushion longer and at a different angle. It is comfy.



78 pieces of material were put together for the headliner.



Headliner always wows people



Pinstriping is on the door trim



Passenger door panel - door lock can be pushed in to open doors. There are two hidden buttons to open the door from outside the  car.



Driver door panel



The engine is a Chevrolet 305 V-8. Note pinstriping, it took 65 hours to complete.

Chrome on engine reflects the under hood paint.

The air cleaner has louvers as do the custom chrome valve covers. The louvers are on top of the sealed valve cover. Intake is an  EndraShine Edelbrock with Edelbrock four barrel carburetor.

N

ote pinstriping on under hood components



Power brakes - disc on front and drums on rear. Note pinstriping on inner fender



Car has power steering - drives excellent



Power steering cap is chrome and reflects paint. Here you can see the louvered valve cover.



Alternator and bracket are chrome



Custom battery box



Firewall pinstriping - ignition is dependable HEI

Underside of hood - 190 louvers

Trunk is clean and has same upholstery as interior



Underside of trunk lid



Very sharp trunk upholstery - the air ride components are hidden between the back seat and the trunk



Driver side of trunk


Passenger side of trunk - the cover can be removed to access storage area



You unzip the orange cylinder to access the gas cap.





Custom tube grill and rounded hood corners - excellent quality work

190 hood louvers



Pinstriping on the hood - notice the tight gap



Subtle pinstriping is on top of the headlights and taillights



Headlights are Frenched into the fenders

Mild Custom 1956 Mercury Monterey 2 Dr. Sedan 2 tone pearl white/red with classic pin stripping. All the original trim is in perfect shape, paint is flawless (one small road chips). The Mercury has power windows, seats, steering and brakes all in great working ordered. The interior is custom tuck/roll in white and red and is like new condition. The car comes from Sacramento Ca.


The Mercury is running a full air ride suspension professional installed, there hasn’t been any modification done to the suspension or the frame other then the removal of the front coil springs and one leaf spring in the back and added air bags front and back with duel compressors and tank neatly installed in the upper back of the trunk.


The Y- Block Mercury motor and transmission has recently been professional rebuild very clean and neat, starts and run like it did back in 56’. New everything Battery, Holly 4 barrel, later model electronic distributor 57’, power steering has been completely over hauled.
This car is the real deal and a true survivor in and out.