The $50 53 Merc

[connorm]

I bought this car over the weekend from a gentleman that was selling it from his brother's estate. The brother had a decent age gap between his siblings so he did not know much about the car, but did remember his sister driving it at one point. Although we believe the car was parked in 1969 because we found parking ticket/impound bailment, and 2 court summons all from 1969.

Now to talk about the car, its a 1953 Mercury 2 door Sedan. The car has a flathead and 3 speed manual. It's Glenwood Grey with Green and White interior. Right now the engine is locked up, which is unfortunate because the 53 Mercury/Lincoln flatheads were the 8BA 4 inch stroke, probably the most desirable flatheads. I am letting it soak in ATF/Acetone so hopefully it loosens up. I do have a lead on a possibly cheap 8BA that will probably get swapped in for now.

Right now my plan is to get the car running and driving, in pretty much stock form. I will probably put that cheap 8BA in it, if I can get it; rebuild the brake system with a 2 pot master cylinder, new brake lines, wheel cylinders, etc.; convert it to 12 volt, flush the radiator; and new gas tank. Hopefully this is all done by mid summer, but I am 3.5 hours away from my parents house where the car is stored. My real goal/deadline is to get the car to Ducktail Run this September.