Kevin of Classic Car ChitChat focuses on a gorgeous hot rod convertible that boasts not only an iconic style but also a cool LS1 swap.
In 1950, more than 151,000 Mercury Eights rolled off the assembly line. Since then, the car has been in demand for its build potential. Although there have been countless creative mods of this particular model over the years, a bright aqua 1950 Mercury Eight from Canada is the one that is sure to turn a few heads.
Recently, Kevin from the YouTube channel Classic Car ChitChat talks with the car’s owners to learn more. Check out this classic car‘s unique features in the video.
This 1950 Mercury Eight Exemplifies Why Hot Rodders Love The Model
With this Mercury Eight, the owners Joel and Elisha have had the car for about five years. They inherited it from Elisha’s dad, who loved hot rods and built several of them. He bought this car fully modded, however, and it was his last.
Many hot rod enthusiasts love this car’s body style, as Elisha’s dad did. The third-generation Mercury had Ford’s classic post-war pontoon styling. But with a total length of almost 207 inches, the Mercury was 10 inches longer than the full-size Ford. The long, low-slung style made the Mercury look like a submarine cruising down the street, and lowering it would only exaggerate this effect.
The original Mercury Eight also ran on a bigger engine than its Ford counterpart: a 255 ci Flathead V8 making 110 hp, compared to the Ford’s 239. But the Mercury’s spacious engine bay naturally lends itself to swapping in an even more powerful motor. For Joel and Elisha’s car, this swap is an LS1 small-block 350 that produces 333 hp.
Mods That Make This Mercury Hot Rod Stand Out
The vibrant Florida Blue paint on Joel and Elisha’s car sets it apart since a metallic candy-colored finish is more typical on this model. Another distinguishing feature is that this Mercury Eight is now a convertible body style, although it was originally a coupe. This mod sets the car apart from the chopped roofs typical of lead sleds of this vintage.
Details such as the split windshield, chrome accents, and mid-century dashboard are original to the car. But new mods include a starter button, a modern console, and seats from a 1990s Cadillac Deville.
With its good looks and customization potential, we’re not surprised that the average sales price for a 1950 Mercury Eight is currently over $41,000. Although they are becoming less affordable, it’s easy to understand why these cars, like this stunning hot rod, continue to be a popular choice for enthusiasts.
