Every car has a story, even those that are left factory-original for years and years. But the best stories tend to come from the cars that are as custom as this ’51 Mercury lead sled recently featured on MotoeXotica’s YouTube channel. After all, anything that’s a marriage of old-school cool, SoCal culture and custom styling is enough to get everyone talking. Check it out in the video above!

Gleaming in GM Dark Garnet Red Poly paint laid by Jim’s Rod Shop, this ’51 Merc was treated to just about every kind of custom modification out there without taking away from the car’s original glory. It’s roof was chopped 4 ½ inches, headlights frenched, B posts laid forward and all the corners, from the 148-louver hood to the trunk, were rounded.

Adding to the Merc’s unique look are 1959 Corvette taillights, a 1955 Chrysler grille with a 1949 Merc grille surround, a 1950 Mercury rear window and 1959 Pontiac side trim.

This is all topped off with shaved door handles and classic ’51 Mercury fender skirts and bumpers with 1952 Kaiser overriders, while custom pinstriping details add frosting to an already amazing lead sled cake.

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Powering the Merc is a 355 ci Chevy engine tied to a Turbo 400 transmission. Additions to the car’s engine include an aluminum radiator and a FlowMaster exhaust, equipped with Hush Power S/S mufflers. Out back, the lead sled features a Posi-traction rearend borrowed from a ’67 Chevy Nova, which has been fitted with 3.08 gears.

For suspension, the Mercury runs drop spindles and dropped steering arms from Fat Man Fabrications up front, while the rear of the car is fitted with Posies springs and L-blocks. The Merc also features power steering.

Inside, the lead sled is just as custom featuring black 1974 Mark IV seats in the front and the rear seat from a ’75 T-bird. A color-matched dash holds classic-looking gauges and acts as an anchor point for the 1964 Riviera steering column. A Lokar shifter controls the automatic transmission while a Vintage Air system cranks out modern cooling power for driver and passenger pleasure.

This Merc is very custom and truly one-of-a-kind, and can actually be yours. For sale information, be sure to check out MotoeXotica.com.