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1956 Mercury Monterey Custom

The Mercury marque was founded on November 4th, 1938, and filled the price gap that existed between the price-friendly Ford and the top-of-the-line Lincoln. Created by Edsel Ford, Mercury bodies were sourced from its Ford sibling, receiving unique features to add distinction. The styling penned by E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie and bestowed upon the 1949 models signaled the first occurrence that the Mercury did not mimic the Ford. The sleek, low, enveloping design would become popular with hot rodders and customizers who added their own touches, creating 'lead sleds' of their own. Custom Mercury's played a starring role in Rebel Without A Cause, starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, and in the 1986 movie Cobra, starring Sylvester Stallone. Among the custom builders of the 1950s Mercury were Gene Winfield, Eddie Paul, and George and Sam Barris.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

The Mercury was Edsel Ford's idea to market a car slotted between the low-priced Ford and the upscale Lincoln. Introduced in 1939, Mercury shared bodies with its Ford sibling albeit with unique grille and trim work to differentiate it from its less-expensive counterpart. The 1949 Mercury, styled by E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie, was the first time that the Mercury was not a copy of Ford styling. Made even more famous in the movie Rebel Without A Cause starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, the car went on to become a 50's cult classic.

This particular custom was commissioned by LeRoy Kemmerer in 1958 and it was designed and built in 1958-59 by the legendary Gene Winfield at the Winfield Rod & Custom Shop in Modesto, California. It was rescued, preserved and restored in 1979 and more recently, re-restored, repainted and returned to its original 1959 configuration by Winfield.