Issue

February 2019

Owner

Tom and Bonnie Hulting

Photographer

Chris Gosda

Ride Details

Original Cost

Build Cost

What was the inspiration?

1. Wanted a convertible. 2. Wanted a car you don't see everyday.....Mercurys are pretty rare.

How long did it take you to build?

Purchased the car in 2005. Started on it in 2007. Finished in 2018. Probably took 3 to 4 years full time.

How long have you been building?

First car I've built.

Club Affiliations

Central Illinois Cruisers, National Street Rod Association, GoodGuys Rod & Custom Association

Your future plans?

Finish a 1954 Chevrolet Station Wagon.

Vehicle history

I purchased the Mercury from a gentleman in Quincy, IL. He purchased the car in 1951. Sometime during his ownership he moved to Arizona, and left the car with his brother. In was stored inside but sometime during the years it was moved outside covered with a tarp. When I purchased the car it was a rusted "hulk". A friend of mine (Dennis Quin) who helped with the build said "I shouldn't have been built". Once we got involved in the build "It didn't want to be built". Needless to say it was a challenge!

Thanks to

Dennis and Cindi Quin - Rust Restoration, Paint and Assembly. Everett Gray - Powertrain, and Suspension Installation. Merlin Burg - Rust Restoration. Mark Koch - Precision Welding. Reggie Weller - Miscellaneous Painting. Precision Plating - Chrome Plating. Upholstery - Kevin Jackson. Convertible Top - Ernies Fulton Top and Upholstery.

Previous Rides

1932 Ford Roadster Street Rod, 1947 Ford Club Coupe Street Rod, 1993 240 Volvo Station Wagon.

Engine Details

Make

Ford 4.6L 4v DOHC Cobra 2001

Cylinders

Displacement

4.6 liters

Engine Mods

Custom Air Intake System

Engine Add Ons

Chromed Coil Covers SVT Valve Cover Emblem by J&B Microfinish 2 1/2" Exhaust with FlowMaster Hushpower Mufflers

Chrome or polish

Precision Plating, and J&B Microfinish

Driveline Details

Clutch flywheel

Stock Ford

Torque Converter

Transmission: Tremec TR-3650

Axle

Ford 8.8" Equa Lock

Gears

4.89:1

Chassis Details

Chassis

Stock Ford

Mods to Frame

Boxed Frame Fat Man Fabrications Front Cross Member, and Mustang II Front Suspension Posies Super Slide Parallel-Leaf Fast Shafts Aluminum Drive Shaft Wilwood 12" Disc Front and Rear with Polished Calipers Wilwood Dual Master Cylinder

Frame Builder

Everett Gray, Mark Koch, and Owner

Front Shocks

Monroe

Rear Shocks

Monroe

Spindles

2" Drop

Springs

Coil

Other Mods

Fuel and Brake Lines routed inside of frame