Since its appearance in the 1955 film “Rebel Without a Cause,” where James Dean’s character Jim Stark drove one, the 1949-1951 Mercurys have become closely associated with the iconic movie star.
These Mercurys have garnered significant attention in hot rod and car magazines since their introduction. Their already stylish design attracted a large following of car customizers and hot rodders, resulting in a plethora of customized versions.
Consequently, spotting a stock example of these vehicles can be quite rare, especially when considering the convertible models. Only around one out of every ten 1951 Mercurys were ordered as drop-tops, adding to their exclusivity.
During the three-year production span, a total of approximately 31,865 convertibles were manufactured, with a mere 6,759 produced in 1951. While minimal changes were made from year to year, the 1951 models featured a streamlined grille and vertical taillights to set them apart from their counterparts.
Powering these cars was Ford’s iconic 255-cubic-inch flathead V-8 engine, generating 112 horsepower. This output proved more than sufficient to reach speeds approaching 90 mph, while the car’s four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes ensured confident and controlled deceleration.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
