1949 Mercury Introduction

An iconic car from a unique period in American history.  The Mercury was a step up from a Ford and just a small step below the Lincoln.  It had a combination of style and performance that set it apart from other cars of the time.  This 4 door Sport Sedan has the iconic “suicide” rear doors.  When James Dean starred in Rebel Without a Cause, the 49 Mercury was the car chosen to mesh with his character.  It is just that kind of car.  People notice you when you drive a custom 49 Merc.

1949 Mercury Specifics

This car has been mildly updated and customized.  Front disc brakes and a 12 volt electrical system upgrade are a start.  The front grill, rear taillights and shaved door & trunk handles enhance the already classic Mercury styling.  The engine was recently completely rebuilt using a short block from H&H flatheads.  Mike Herman at H&H quite literally wrote the book on how to rebuild the Ford flathead V8.  This one has a Isky 3/4 race cam, fully balanced rotating assembly along with new or rebuilt starter, carburetor, water pumps, Melling oil pump, distributor and alternator.  It has a new clutch and the 3 speed transmission is equipped with the correct overdrive.  The dual exhausts let everyone know there is something special under the hood.

Mercury 1949 Sport Coupe Flathead Ford Flathead Mercury Stoker H&H Flatheads V-8 V8
Possible SEO terms.  Add to the list as you see fit. T-Bucket T Bucket TBucket Hot Rod Custom Car Classic Car Garage Art Model T ModelT Model-T Ford 1950 Crestline Crestliner Mercury 1949 Sport Coupe

Video’s

Shall we see how H&H’s custom built engine runs first?

Detailing……………………..With a capital “D”

First driving test with new Power source-May 11, 2023

28 second-Drivable Art clip -uly 2025

The engine bay of a vehicle with the engine removed, showing rusted and dirty inner fenders, wiring, and a steering linkage.
An elderly man working on fixing a vintage red car inside a garage. The car's front hood area is open, revealing the engine bay, and there are tools and supplies around him. The garage has large windows showing a scenic view outside.
A partially assembled car engine with a light green painted block, attached wires, and various metal fittings, mounted on a workbench.
A vintage red car with whitewall tires parked on a dirt road, with a smiling man giving a thumbs-up through the driver's side window.
A vintage red car with whitewall tires parked on a concrete driveway, with a storage garage in the background.
Close-up of a vintage maroon car's front windshield with a black and white plush cow toy inside, visible from outside, with a garage in the background.
The image shows the dashboard and steering wheel of a vintage car, with a large central speedometer, various smaller gauges, and control knobs.
Interior of a vintage car with beige upholstery, a beige steering wheel, and a dashboard with chrome accents. The dashboard has a radio, gauges, and hanging fuzzy dice. The floor has matching beige mats, and the background shows a natural outdoor setting with greenery and rocks.
Inside a vintage red car trunk with brown carpet lining, a spare tire on the right, a brown leather suitcase in the center, and a black electronic device in front of the suitcase.
Close-up of a vintage car's front with a red body, round headlight, smaller fog light below, chrome grille, and chrome bumper.

A Closer Look

A man working on a disassembled car fuel tank outside a garage, kneeling on the driveway with tools around him.
Interior view of a vintage car with beige fabric seats, chrome window handles, a dashboard with gauges, and a steering wheel, split into front and rear sections with a visible seat belt on the passenger side.
Rear view of a vintage red car with California license plate 5BCA883 parked on a driveway.
Page from America's Best Engine Shops 2022 article featuring H&H Flatheas. Includes photos of a man working on an engine in a shop and a group of four men standing with engine parts. Text highlights the shop's focus on vintage engines and includes a quote about their equipment.
Five men standing behind a partially assembled engine in an engine shop, with engine parts and tools visible in the foreground.
A vintage car engine mounted on a stand in a garage workshop, surrounded by tools and storage cabinets.
A vintage red car parked on the street near a beige fence with black metal railing, surrounded by palm trees and houses under a cloudy sky.
Interior of a vintage car with beige fabric seats, a window, and a gear shift on the side.
A vintage maroon 1950s Buick car with chrome details parked in a driveway.
An elderly man with white hair wearing a gray face mask looking through a microscope in a workshop or garage with tools and a vintage car in the background.
Close-up of a vintage red car's side, showing the driver and passenger windows, with the interior dashboard and steering wheel visible through the glass.
Interior view of a vintage car dashboard with an analog clock, radio, and climate controls, featuring a light-colored steering wheel and older style pedals.
Underside view of a vintage car showing rusted suspension and steering components.
A vintage red car with an open door, featuring white wall tires, chrome accents, and a distinctive grille.
Vintage car dashboard with an analog clock, radio, and a plush toy with black spots hanging from the rearview mirror.
Close-up of the side mirror and front part of a vintage red car parked in a driveway, with trees and a garage containing boats in the background.
Close-up of a vintage car's whitewall tire with a shiny hubcap, reflecting the surrounding environment.

Defects/imperfections……..Hey, I’m 76: here’s proof that I been around the block a couple times.

Close-up of a vintage red car's front fender, wheel, and door with chrome accents, reflecting trees and sky.
Interior of a vintage car door with beige upholstery, metal handles, and a small pocket, parked near a brick wall and landscaping.
Close-up of a red vintage car with a dent and chipped paint on the lower side panel near the wheel.
Close-up of a vintage red car with chrome trim and white pinstripes, showing a gap between two parts of the car's body.
Close-up of a vintage car's rear window with chrome trim, reflecting trees and sky, and a deep red body.
Close-up of a red car's side panel with a visible dent and scratch near the door edge.
Close-up of a vintage red car's hood, fender, and side mirror with chrome accents and white-wall tires.
Close-up of vintage car roof with a curved, tinted windshield framed by metal trim, and a red body reflecting the trees around it.

At first blush we tend to value style, dependability, performance, and visual impact,  but with time learn to balance first impressions and begin to appreciate flaws, deficiencies and imperfections that fill out the unforgettable full-color palette of character.

A vintage red car with a rounded body and chrome bumper parked on a gravel driveway, with scenic hills and cloudy sky in the background.

I’m ready to cruise -Are You?

A vintage red classic car with white wall tires parked on a suburban street with palm trees and houses in the background.
Red vintage car parked on street with mountains and greenery in the background.
A person giving a thumbs-up while sitting in a shiny, vintage red car with white wall tires, parked on a road near a beach or desert landscape.