From Relic to Custom Finalist, Jerry’s 1956 Mercury has been through thick and thin
The story of Jerry Rodriguez’s custom 1956 Mercury serves as a reminder that patience, perseverance, and persistence can eventually pay off, even on projects that stretch out for decades.
“I’ve had this car longer than any other vehicle I’ve owned,” Jerry says. “It’s been through a few hard times in my life. I’ve managed to hold onto it despite a couple recessions. I had a vision and knew it would one day become reality. I was blessed finding the right team to help make this dream come true.”
Jerry was just a teenager when he got involved with the old-school custom culture scene in SoCal back in the late-’90s. “I found the 1956 Mercury through the Auto Trader in 1997,” Jerry says. “It was all original and in major need of TLC. A large part of the floorboards had rusted through and had been patched with ¼-inch plywood.”
Jerry made necessary repairs and created a low-buck mild custom that he drove to shows in the late-’90s and early-2000s. Like so many projects, though, the Merc was eventually put on the backburner as life got busy. Still, Jerry held onto it and was able to slowly make upgrades along the way.
The car’s chassis received a Fatman Mustang II-style front suspension with disc brakes, a Watt’s link rear suspension, Explorer rearend, and Air Lift air springs. It was eventually outfitted with Wheelsmith 15-inch chrome wheels and Diamondback 5.60-15 wide whitewalls.
Another piece of the puzzle came in the form of a new 350c.i. Chevy Vortec V8 with an Edelbrock intake and carb, HEI ignition, ram’s horn exhaust manifolds, and Olds-style valve covers paired with a Cadillac air cleaner. The engine was paired with a 700R4 transmission.
Through his journey, Jerry connected with Jack Fields at Kraftsman Autoworks, who made subtle metal mods like integrating the headlight hoods into the front fenders, shaving the door handles and trim, and fitting the ’55 Pontiac rear bumper. The car then went to Dreamex Restorations for bodywork before returning to Kraftsman for an incredible PPG Ocean Blue finish augmented with Navarra Blue scallops and white pinstripes.
Inside, the shaved dash was painted to match and fitted with a tilt column and ’58 Impala wheel. Chuy’s Auto Interiors nailed the classic custom look using pearl white vinyl and ’60 Pontiac cloth to upholster the seats, headliner, door panels, and trunk.
Jerry’s long-term dream, now christened “Royal Gambit,” came true early this year when his 1956 Mercury debuted at the Grand National Roadster Show. It got even better when the car became the Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs Custom of the Year finalist in Del Mar. Some long-term projects, it seems, come out even better than you ever could have dreamed.
Photos by Michael Christensen, Damon Lee
