By Brian Brennan – Photography By Luke Munnell
Gary Stell Jr. from Southern California has long been passionate about custom automobiles. As a youth, he developed a fondness for the iconic 1950 Mercury featured in the film Cobra, famously driven by Sylvester Stallone. (Interestingly, four versions of this Mercury were created for the movie.) Inspired by this, Gary collaborated with Ron Cambra from Cambra Speed Shop (CSS) to build his own version of a 1951 Mercury custom.
Eddie Kotto, who handled the glasswork, and Carlos Rodriguez from The Art of Sound, who was responsible for crafting the car’s audio system, worked closely with Gary and Cambra. Gaston Gardeazabal brought the initial design to life, ensuring that every detail met the high standards of custom car enthusiasts.
The result is a stunning 1951 Mercury, impressive in PPG Lucille Gold; three-stage with base color, then the gold color, and then clearcoat. The CSS team and Hitoshi expertly handled the body- and paintwork, and Hitoshi applied this custom mix. The vehicle features Frenched headlights, wide whitewall tires, and EVOD one-off billet wheels that perfectly complement its classic lines. CSS’s Rick Kersh designed the Merc bumpers featuring 1952 DeSoto “teeth,” creating a recessed “floating” grille by eliminating surrounding trim. He also crafted the rear wheeltubs.
Originally chopped at Dick Dean’s shop, the build was paused for years until it found its way to CSS; here, it was re-chopped, and then the build was completed. Other custom bodywork includes the reworking of the top chop with functioning rear quarter windows that pivot to open, a smooth hood, shaved door handles, a modified trunklid, tilted B-pillars, custom-made driprails, and a custom windshield frame that was 3-D printed by CSS and, in turn, was engineered by EVOD.
Powering this 1951 Mercury custom is a Gen 3 (2018-23) Ford Coyote 5.0L V-8, which features an all-aluminum block and cylinder heads. The most noteworthy changes to the Coyote V-8 occurred in 2018, starting with high-pressure direct injection while still maintaining low-pressure port injection and a 12:1 compression ratio. The Gen 3 Coyote is lighter than earlier versions and includes larger cam lobes and valves. The construction of the cylinder walls was modified by swapping the steel sleeves for a Plasma Transferred Wire Arc process, which enabled a larger cylinder bore, resulting in a displacement of just over 5.0 liters (307 inches)—the largest displacement ever for Ford’s 5.0L/302-inch V-8. The result yields 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
The engine boasts custom modifications from CSS, including a unique intake manifold and valve covers. While the fuel injection system remains factory-standard, a Holley ECU unit drives the ignition system, utilizing the stock distributor, coil, and plug wires. Two OPTIMA batteries, now conveniently mounted in the trunk, deliver ample power to the system. The exhaust system incorporates additional custom-built components from Cambra, featuring 1-7/8-inch stainless steel headers connected to 2-inch-diameter stainless steel exhaust pipes, elegantly coated in black and leading to a pair of Borla mufflers.
The engine accessories are equally impressive, showcasing a pair of SPAL electric fans that pull air through a Champion radiator. Meanwhile, other pulley-operated components are driven by a Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine belt system. Powering the electrical system is a Powermaster alternator paired with a high-torque starter, complemented by a Ford factory oil cooler and a Billet Specialties pulley system. Mated to the Coyote V-8 is a Ford AOD transmission equipped with a Hughes converter for enhanced performance. A shifter from Powertrain Control Systems and a custom transmission cooler built by the CSS crew completed the setup. The driveshaft is sourced from Drivelines Incorporated, linking the automatic to the 9-inch rearend.
The build features a Roadster Shop REVO chassis, and to this the skilled hands at CSS expertly crafted the 20-gallon stainless steel gas tank. The gas filler is now in the trunk of this custom Merc. The suspension utilizes components from Roadster Shop, including drop spindles and airbags. A sway bar from Roadster Shop and a power rack-and-pinion system connects to a LimeWorks steering column to ensure an engaging driving experience.
While the rear suspension is based around a Ford 9-inch rearend, it is equipped with shocks and an AccuAir suspension with auto leveling. This setup includes another Roadster Shop sway bar and a Panhard bar to enhance stability. Wilwood disc brakes are installed at all corners, providing ample stopping power, while the 14-inch drilled-and-slotted rotors and four-piston calipers ensure that this custom Mercury is as thrilling to drive as it is beautiful to behold. The master cylinder is also from Wilwood; CSS fabricated the pedal assembly. To elevate the car’s striking appearance, EVOD built a set of 18-inch-diameter two-piece billet wheels with the Mercury “godhead” logo machined into the center. The 245x50R18 wide white sidewall rubber comes by way of BFGoodrich by Coker.
The dashboard is another custom item created by the staff at Cambria Speed Shop. The dash insert features a complete set of Classic Instruments with the “Lucille” (the Merc name) logo printed on the speedometer face. Cambria’s Dave Preciado installed the wiring harness that supplies the necessary power for the Classic Instruments gauges and the Vintage Air A/C system. An EVOD wheel (with the popular Merc logo) sits atop the LimeWorks steering column. Mark Lopez of Elegance Auto Interiors stitched the Madrid Pearl White leather, managing the leather on the power seats out of a 1965 Ford Thunderbird. The front features T-bird buckets, while a ’Bird rear bench seat is utilized. The seating surrounds the modified T-bird center console, which CSS has adjusted for fit and functionality. The wool carpeting is a butterscotch color. Lopez also took care of the custom-made stainless interior trim.
The dedication to craftsmanship paid off when the Mercury debuted at the 2024 Grand National Roadster Show, clinching the award for Best Full Custom. It also received the prestigious Sam Barris Memorial Award at the 2024 Sacramento Autorama. With every detail meticulously crafted, Gary Stell Jr.’s 1951 Mercury stands as a testament to the artistry and passion that defines the world of custom cars.
-MR
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