This 1940 Mercury Eight is a two-door convertible that was acquired by the seller in 2010 and subsequently modified by Squeeg’s Kustoms of Chandler, Arizona. Power comes from a Chrysler 392ci FirePower V8 linked to a Richmond five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end with 3.50:1 gears. The car is finished in black with a flame motif over red upholstery, and it rides on a modified chassis featuring tubular crossmembers, Heidt’s independent front suspension components, a Ridetech air suspension system, power rack-and-pinion steering, and Wilwood front disc brakes. Additional equipment includes a black soft top, six Stromberg carburetors, Offenhauser intake manifolds, tubular exhaust headers, staggered-diameter chrome steel wheels with hubcaps, Vintage Air climate control, and a Pioneer head unit. This Mercury Eight is now offered with a black top boot, a copy of the March 2015 issue of Street Rodder magazine featuring the car, a Goodguys shirt featuring the car, refurbishment photos, and a clean Arizona title in the seller’s name.
The body was removed from the frame, the sheetmetal was repaired, shaved, and decked, and the car was painted in black with flames. At that time, the frame rails were boxed, and additional tubular crossmembers were welded in place. Exterior elements include a black convertible top with a matching top boot, chrome bumpers, a split windshield, vent windows, and shaved door handles. Additional close-up images detailing the soft top, lighting, and trim are provided in the gallery below.
Chrome-finished 16″ front and 17″ rear Wheel Vintiques steel wheels wear matching hubcaps and are mounted with wide-whitewall Champiro tires. Braking is handled by Wilwood front discs and rear drums, and the car has been modified with a Heidt’s independent front suspension system, rack-and-pinion power steering, and Ridetech air suspension.
The interior is said to have been reupholstered by Gabe’s Street Rod Interiors of San Bernardino, California, and it is equipped with Glide Engineering front and rear bench seats trimmed in red upholstery with coordinated door panels. Additional appointments include black carpets, Vintage Air climate control, lap belts, an analog clock, and a Pioneer head unit that hides behind a central dash cover along with HVAC controls and gauges for the air suspension.
A two-spoke steering wheel fronts a body-color steel dashboard housing Waltham instrumentation that includes a side-sweep 110-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer indicates nine miles and not working according to the seller. True mileage is unknown.
A Chrysler 392ci FirePower Hemi V8 was reportedly rebuilt by Speed Sports of Gilbert, Arizona. The engine is finished in red and equipped with six Stromberg carburetors, Offenhauser intake manifolds, and tubular headers connected to a dual exhaust system with MagnaFlow mufflers. An oil change was carried out in 2022.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Richmond five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end with 3.50:1 gears. The frame and driveline have been finished in red, and the rear axle features black and white pinstriping.
Photos documenting various stages of the refurbishment work can be viewed in the gallery.
The car was featured in a March 2015 issue of Street Rodder magazine, a copy of which will accompany the car.