The Award-Winning 1951 Mercury Monterey

At Pot O Gold Kustoms, we take pride in turning dreams into reality, and our latest project—a stunning 1951 Mercury Monterey built for Zach Hughes—is proof of that. This car came to us in rough shape, with a chop job that left it leaning to one side, mismatched quarter panel glass, and an overall lack of symmetry. But despite the challenges, our team rolled up their sleeves and turned this classic into an award-winning masterpiece.

The Challenge: Fixing a Flawed Chop

When Zach first brought the Mercury to our shop in Colorado Springs, it was clear that the chop job had gone awry. The right-side pillar was a full half-inch shorter than the left, and the back window was sitting crooked—how glass even fit in there at one point remains a mystery. Our first major task was correcting these issues. We fabricated new gutters, repositioned the window, and brought everything back into alignment to achieve that signature Mercury flow. After a lot of meticulous work, we finally got the lines and angles looking just right.

Building a Driver’s Dream

Zach wanted more than just a showpiece; he wanted a Merc that could be driven and enjoyed. That’s why we opted for a Roadster Shop chassis, complete with air ride, a spline sway bar up front, and FOX adjustable shocks at all four corners. A four-link rear with a panhard bar and a Ford 9-inch rear end running 3.73 gears completed the package. The chassis was powder-coated to match the red interior, while key components like the four-link, axle, and fuel tank received a gloss black finish for contrast.

To tie it all together, we topped off the chassis with a set of True Spoke wire wheels wrapped in Coker wide white tires, giving the car that unmistakable classic look with modern reliability.

Power and Reliability

Under the hood, we wanted something dependable and easy to maintain, so we went with a Blueprint 383 stroker dressed in traditional Cadillac-style custom air cleaner. A Holly Sniper EFI system and Hyperspark ignition keep things running smoothly, and the fuel is supplied by a custom 25-gallon tank with an integrated pump.

To handle the power, we paired the stroker with a TCI 700R4 automatic transmission, shifted via a Lokar shifter. Keeping things cool is a Champion radiator with dual Derale fans pulling 4,300 CFM—more than enough to handle the heat.

Keeping Tradition Alive with a Modern Twist

While many custom Mercurys are shaved and smoothed, we took a different route. Instead of deleting the trim and badges, we embraced them to make this car stand out. The original trunk latch and emblems were retained, while the rear bumper was subtly reshaped and tucked in for a cleaner look. The massive factory taillight trim was removed in favor of a custom bucket to house the original lenses, keeping things sleek without losing the car’s identity.

Up front, we installed classic bolt-on bezels and opted for a ’52 DeSoto grille, which fit the flow and color of the car perfectly. The bumper was tucked in about three inches to match the revised proportions, giving the front end an elegant, refined look.

The Perfect Paint

Choosing the right color was crucial. Instead of the typical black or red, we wanted something unique—something that would make this Mercury stand apart. After an exhaustive search, we landed on a stunning European gray from Axalta Refinishes. This shade offers an understated elegance that complements the car’s lines without overpowering them.

A Custom Interior That Matches the Vision

For the interior, we wanted to mirror the car’s sophisticated exterior. We chose a Moore and Giles blood-red leather, wrapping a pair of 1967 Impala bucket seats and a custom center console sourced from a 1964 Mercury Comet. The original rear seat was reworked to fit the new design, while the headliner and door panels were custom-built by Big O Fabrication, ensuring a seamless, high-end finish.

The steering wheel is a modified Lincoln unit, featuring a floating Mercury emblem embedded in resin, bringing in a touch of black that’s echoed throughout the build. Dakota Digital RTX series gauges blend modern functionality with a classic look, sitting perfectly in the stock 1951 Mercury dash. We kept the original parking brake handle and hood release, adapting them with Lokar cables to work with the upgraded system.

Award-Winning Success

While our goal was always to build a beautiful, functional car for Zach, the response to the finished product has been overwhelming. The Mercury has been a hit on the show circuit, picking up awards left and right:

GoodGuys Top 12 Customs of the Year Finalist Columbus, Ohio

GoodGuys GM Iron Builder of the Year

GoodGuys Builders Choice

Best Custom Award at the Hot Rod Rock and Rumble

Top 15 Recognition at Early Iron

Top 12 GM Retro Iron Builder of the Year Finalist

The journey of this car—from a rough chop job to an award-winning custom build—has been incredible, and we couldn’t have done it without our hardworking team and the trust Zach placed in us.

If you want to see more of our builds and follow the journey of other incredible projects, be sure to check out our YouTube channel and visit potogoldkustoms.com for updates, build features, and more.

At Pot O Gold Kustoms, we don’t just build cars—we build stories.