Last updated on March 30, 2023
Today’s car is a 1950 Mercury Lead Sled and it is owned by Mike Holmes. I saw this car at the Inaugural Classic Cars and Cigars car show, held by the Santa Monica Police Officers Association in Santa Monica. Mike was awarded Best Kustom with Chip Foose as a judge and presenting him with his award.
Mike bought this car in 1998 in San Antonio, TX. It was a rolling chassis and body. It had no engine, no transmission, no interior and no stainless steel trim. This was a 10 year project that got started earlier and resurrected in 2016. The amazing thing is that the complete build was done in Mike’s backyard. To appreciate how talented Mike is and how beautiful this car is you need to see this car in person.
It is finished in a custom Black with just the right amount of Gold Metallic mixed in to satisfy Mike’s color pallet. The Lipstick Red leather interior is a perfect contrast to the custom Black finish. It is powered by a 2007 Cadillac Escaladed LS2, V8 engine with 403 hp, 6.2 liters, with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). Transferring that power through a 6L90 GM 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive. It delivers that power to the rear wheels through a 3:73:1 rear end. Helping slow this beauty down are GM disk brakes in all four corners, The front and rear suspension are 1972 Camaro. The front and rear are air bagged that were installed by Mike. The rear springs were de-arched 2 inches by Warren Springs in Long Beach, CA and Mike made 2 1/2 inch spacers to keep the frame from dragging.
The original MSRP for a 1950 Mercury was $2,150.00. The total number of Mercurys produced in 1950 was 293,689 of which 151,489 were 2 door coupes. In 1950, and for the first time in Mercury history, the Mercury 2-door coupes outsold the 4-door sedan 151,489 to 132,082.
I love Lead Sleds, This one has been chopped 4 inches. The grill is a modified 1953 Desoto grill, The 1957 Cadillac Eldorado hubcaps look perfectly at home. The frenched LED headlights, LED taillights. Dakota Digital Instrument Gages bring the electronics up to date.
This is just a great looking “Lead Sled”. Great car for Custom Car Shows and a favorite at Cars and Coffee events. Thanks for traveling along. Frank
