Our friends over at RK Motors Charlotte continue to showcase the best around, bringing nostalgia and respect to the classics. Behold, a frame-off built 1953 Mercury Monterey that is clean, mean, and ready for the scene.

This kustom Mercury has plenty of features to keep your eyes darting about its beauty, flair, and sheer power. Slicker than your average, the car was purchased back in 2008, fully restored. The profile of this Mercury is clean and pristine, which was meticulously block-sanded and sprayed with a Ford Red Candy Metallic and Jet Black 2-stage paint scheme.

Borrowing several aesthetics from different classics, this Mercury is essentially a Frankenstein build whose appearance turned out for the better. The front end features frenched headlights, and a hood from 1950 Ford that was nosed and louvered, adding a sleek and aggressive touch to the overall package.

Digging deeper, the profile trim stemmed from a 1955 Pontiac, which also helps to complement the factory fender skirts and rocker guards. The original Monterey badging is still intact, complemented with Buick-style portholes which add onto the traditional door handles and mirrors that came stock. Out back are a set of taillights from a 1995 Cadillac, an Impala-badged fuel filler, and a bumper from 1955 Pontiac. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a kustom borrow from other vehicles, but we can’t argue with the results.

Popping the stylish hood open, we’re treated to a GM 350 cubic-inch ZZ4 crate engine, boasting 355 horsepower and 405 lb-ft torque and a 10 to 1 compression ratio. The hefty mill is mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic tranny, coupled with an adjustable lock-up converter.

Other goodies in the engine bay include a Holley carburetor, an Edelbrock Performer intake, a transverse air cleaner, aluminum L98 cylinder heads, a billet cam, an HEI distributor, and Autolite Professional Series plug wires. Decked out and modernized under the hood, this kustom is beautiful and reliable.

Rack-and-pinion steering makes handling a cinch, and power front disc and rear drum brake configuration brings the car to a halt with haste. A dual exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers and polished stainless tips provide a nice rumble to the classy custom. The car sits on a set of old school steelies wrapped in 215/75R15 Dean Alpha 365 whitewall rubber.

Heading inside, we are treated to a two tone interior that matches the exterior, adding great visual continuity and depth to the car. The dash is from a 1959 Chevy, which houses Dolphin gauges, air conditioning, and a Guide traffic light viewer.

Seats from a 1966 Ford Thunderbird have been supplemented, coupled with power adjustment on the driver seat. A custom oil pan console sits between the seats and a tilt steering wheel column holds together the steering wheel off a 1959 Chevy Impala and a digital gear selector.

With so many pieces from multiple cars, this custom Merc is a beauty in the eye of the beholder. It may not sit well with everyone, but we like what’s been done to this kustom. What’s your opinion on it? Is it too over the top? Feel free to share your thoughts below.