20 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
1950 Merc was customized 60 years ago THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE Bill Sherk Ron Ploder of Newmarket, Ontario, writes: “At age 19 in October 1958, I bought my first car, a metallic green 1950 Mercury 4-door sedan with original sun visor. It came with a rebuilt motor from Elgin Motors. A hot rod mag had an article on customizing a 1950 Merc and that got me started. “I shaved off the trunk and hood emblems, then cut off the hood corners with my handy hack saw to make them rounded. Next I screwed the cut-off hood corners into the fender corners. “The next step was to remove the door handles on all four doors and install electric switches with starter buttons outside. Same done to the trunk lid. “Next I filled the gas filler lid on the left rear fender and moved the gas filler pipe into the trunk with my handy-dandy hack saw (no sparks, please!). “I moved the taillights down to the rear fender crease. I searched for a 1955 Olds grille bar and found one at a local wrecker. It took two weeks wages to pay for it! “How do I fill in all the holes? Someone mentioned a new filler product called fibreglass. I used too much hardener and didn’t work it in fast enough! “The green/rust colour primer from Canadian Tire made it look like Army vehicle camouflage. My father’s garage owner agreed to paint it for me. I picked for colour: 1958 Ford ‘Azure Blue.’ It looked really hot! “A magazine featured a 1949 Plymouth with ribbed bumpers! Off to the wrecker once again and had to earn more money. “I replaced the Merc taillights with a pair of 1949 Pontiac taillights. But they didn’t cover the holes left by the old Merc taillights! Good job I had extra paint. “With whitewalls too expensive, I installed portawalls. I put two-inch lowering blocks in the rear end, installed dual exhausts, and a set of ’55 Olds spinner wheel discs. I enjoyed driving it because nobody else owned anything like it. “Soon problems started with vapour lock. I sold the Merc and bought a 1956 Chevy Bel Air, but that’s another story. I’m always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca.
Ron’s cool looking 1950 Mercury.
DELIVERY or CURBSIDE SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH YOUR FAMILY RESTAURANTS IN LEAMINGTON, KINGSVILLE AND WHEATLEY
Coats for Kids LEAMINGTON — Each fall, South Essex Community Council (SECC) puts out the call for new or gently used coats from the community for their annual Coats for Kids event. Due to increased safety precautions related to COVID-19, the agency had to get creative with collection this year, hosting drive-thru donation drop offs in October. Although scheduled collections dates have now passed, donations of winter coats and accessories (hats, gloves, mittens, scarves etc.) are welcome in any size, infant to adult, through drop off or pick up by contacting the agency directly. In 2019, SECC was able to distribute over 500 coats and accessories to those in need and they expect a similar outcome this year. SECC’s Coats for Kids program serves the Leamington, Kingsville & Wheatley area. This year, anyone in need of a winter coat should contact SECC to book an appointment. Individuals or families will be screened and required to wear masks while being outfitted with coats and accessories during their scheduled appointment. Coat distribution will take place at SECC’s Leamington office, 215 Talbot Street East. You can call 519-3268629 to book an appointment for Saturday, November 14 from 10am to 3 pm, Monday, November 16 from 1 pm to 4 pm, or Tuesday, November 17 from 3 pm to 8 pm.
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