1956 MERCURY MONTCLAIR CUSTOM "BLUE JEWEL"

***1956 MERCURY MONTCLAIR ICONIC CUSTOM "BLUE JEWEL"***
***ROD & CUSTOM FEATURE CAR --- RUNS DRIVES LOOKS GREAT***
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This is a 1956 Mercury Montclair that was built into the iconic "Blue Jewel" custom. The owners bought this car several years ago from Steve Lucas (his name appears as owner in the Rod & Custom magazine article). I was in the same car club years ago with this couple. Unfortunately he passed away leaving his wife the car. She only drove it to one event last year; has decided to sell her house and move so she asked me to list the car. Price is a fraction of what it would cost to duplicate today. I have in bold italics info on the car from an online forum. You can search the internet for custom Mercury Blue Jewel and see many photos of this beautiful vehicle. If you'd like to view the car or ask questions about it call Fred at 804-five nine zero-0718. The owner needs to sell so please do not bid unless you have the funds ready.

Ever wonder what happened to all those monochromatic customs from the '80s? You know the ones-all one color with pastel graphics, side pipes, body-color bumpers, and steel modular wheels. There was nothing wrong with them per se, it's just they were of their time. However, some of 'em resurface as traditional customs thanks to the vision and talent of new owners. Steve Lucas' '56 Mercury Montclair is one such resurrection.
"The Merc was originally built in 1988 by Mike Thompson and John Childers at C&W Auto Body in Brookville, Ohio. It started as a rust-free example owned by a lady who moved back to Ohio from Los Angeles; the car was eventually sold by her estate in Erie, Pennsylvania. Every single nut, bolt, screw, and all the metal on the car was like brand new." Steve discovered all these details after tracking down the guys who first built the Merc. Apparently the car drove as though it was brand new too, and while most people wouldn't do anything to modify such a well-preserved car, as Steve says, "Most people are not custom car lovers!"

"Once rebuilt, with no chrome or stainless, the Merc debuted at the James Dean Rebel Run in 1989 and went on to be shown on the ISCA circuit, where it took First Place in the Full/Radical Custom class, along with other awards," Steve says. "It was then sold in September 1990 to Scott Moorehouse, a friend who continued to show it at the ISCA competition in 1991, again taking First Place in many classes. It won Coolest Custom at the old Medina, Ohio, Goodguys event in 1992 and KKOA awards in 1993. In 1997, Moorehouse sold it to a guy in a neighboring city and it dropped out of sight. Five years later the owner contacted him saying he wanted to sell it. Moorehouse called me as he knew I was looking for a custom, though the engine, suspension, and body were showing signs of wear. With the help of friends I renewed the motor and suspension and drove the car to the Goodguys Columbus event in 2002. I wanted to resell it as I also had a '40 Merc and '65 Galaxie convertible, but my wife and two sons loved the long, low look and begged that we give the car a makeover. The family voted and I lost 3-1! I sold the '40 and set the money aside for the '56. I could only think of one shop that could bring the car back to life; Jerry's House of Kolor in Elyria, Ohio. Jerry Koenigsmark has been turning out award-winning rods and customs since 1957. His son, Joe, now handles the shop duties under his dad's watchful eye, and is one of the few local guys who take time to go out west and study paint and bodywork trends. His annual vacation is to the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin' Nationals. This was a guy I wanted doing my car!"

"I handed Joe the keys along with the artistic license to do what he saw fit. He took off all the metal trim and immediately sent it to Jason's Metal Polishing for removal of all the black paint, followed by fresh chrome, once repairs were made, as needed. The body was stripped and the few damaged spots repaired. We agreed on the paint color after much persuasion by Joe and the transformation began. I was hesitant on the scallops but after seeing them in tape on the car I trusted Joe's artistic eye-which I'm glad I did!
Though I drive the car proudly I give much credit to Joe and my two boys. Their persuasion has given me a car that is unlike any other, and that is what I love about customs. They're like fine art for car guys. I am sure the little old lady who once owned this car is smiling down. I was honored at the compliments the car received from George Barris at a recent show, who took many pictures of my sons and the Merc."

Wheels & Tires
It has 14-inch Coker chrome wheels with Shannon cone centers wrapped in wide whitewall radials all round, though the rears are almost totally hidden behind skirts.

Body
The bodywork is where this Merc shines, as any self-respecting custom should. Most of the mods were tackled back in 1988 by John Childers, such as the pancaked hood, with frenched headlights that use '54 Merc rings under the peaks, 10-inch extended rear fenders housing quad '56 Packard taillights, and the removal of all trim and handles. The grille had its ends removed, and coupled with the removal of the bumper guards and a rolled pan, clean up the front end perfectly. Both bumpers were filled and smoothed before being re-chromed, while Jerry's House of Kolor in Elyria, OH, laid on the House of Kolor True Blue pearl after bringing the body back to perfect condition. Joe Koenigsmark added the scallops.

Chassis
Though the sheetmetal's all Mercury, its underpinnings are GM! The majority of the stock chassis remains, though Mike Thompson installed a '77 Nova front clip back in 1988 when the Merc was first built as a custom. This means the front suspension and steering, including the column, is stock Nova. The same Nova donated its rearend to the cause. Air shocks with an on-board compressor enable the rear of the car to be lowered, the work performed by Street Machinery in Euclid, OH.

Interior
That '77 Nova crops up again as it gave up its front seat, while the rear is the stock Merc item. Pearl white rolled and pleated vinyl covers the whole interior, stitched by North Coast Upholstery in Lorrain, OH. A '60 Chevy steering wheel now crowns the Nova column. Airtique supplied the A/C, while a Ron Francis harness keeps everything running as it should, including the Pioneer stereo. Speedway Motors supplied the seatbelts, important with two young sons to consider.

The car is just as bought and is just like it was when featured in magazines.

It has four sets of seat belts. Note Impala steering wheel on tilt column.

Rolled and pleated interior

Air ride control and gas gauge

Voltmeter and teardrop handle

Gauges, car has heat, defrost and AC

Pioneer stereo has speakers in the package tray.

Glove box

Interior trim has been chromed

Back seat

Mercury man in the back seat lights up when either door is opened

Headliner

Driver door panel - note chrome trim

Passenger door panel

Door popper

Drivetrain
Seems Mike Thompson had a good '77 Nova kicking around when he built the Merc, as the 350 small-block and matching TH350 trans also came from the Chevy. Both remain stock, with absolutely no modifications listed on Steve's tech sheet, though the motor has some dress-up parts! Hey, it's a custom, there's no need to open the hood!

Engine fires right up and runs excellent

It has aluminum valve covers and coated headers - exhaust sounds sweet

Power brakes, discs front, drums rear

Car is easy to drive with power steering

Aluminum radiator and overflow tank

Under the air cleaner painted to match car is an AFB carburetor

Blue spark plug wires are routed by an aluminum loom, dependable HEI ignition, electric choke

Underside of pancaked hood

Trunk lid opens and closes easily - note rounded corners

Underside of trunk lid

Trunk is upholstered with easy access to compartment

Spare tire matches the four on the car

Clear title

VIN on car matches VIN on title

Another magazine that featured the Blue Jewel - note blue outline on white accent

Photos in the article

True Blue is the House of Kolor paint on the car

Grill looks great; white accents the bright blue body

Note turn signals

Blue paint really sparkles in the sunshine

Driver front fender

Door handles were removed - doors have poppers

Excellent bodywork and paint

Body shop really knew what they were doing, note skirts

Only real flaw on car - crack in driver side quarter window - owner says it was there when she got the car

Rear glass and package tray

Quad Packard taillights and fins

Deck lid

She's a real beauty

Pinstriping on deck lid - "Blue Jewel" script has Ann's above it - can be removed. Owner's name is Ann.

White accents make the Packard taillights stand out

Smooth body

Note side glass alignment and chrome trimmed side glass

Reflections on the blue body

If you are seriously interested in this car my advice is to come and see it. The car is located in Chesterfield, Virginia. Car is a short drive from I-95, and Route 288 which connects I-64 and I-95. Serious bidders can email me any questions or call me at 804-five nine zero-0718.

Terms of sale: winning bidder should contact me within 24 hours of the auction's end. If you cannot pick up the car right away send a 10% deposit within 3 days and make arrangements to pick up the car or have it shipped. We would like the car picked up within 14 days. If you need help with having the car shipped email me.