Photography by Michael Christensenn the world of custom Mercs, it isn’t unusual to find a 1949-51 coupe as a mild or full custom. However, finding a custom 1953 Mercury Monterey, while not unusual, surely doesn’t receive the notoriety of its earlier “cousin.” To make this dream come true, Kris Kroll of Full Circle Fabrication and Kraftsman Autoworks pooled their talents to create this beautiful custom. But as you’ll see, here is one Mercury Monterey that is as stunning a custom as you’ll ever find, regardless of the year.
Back in his garage, Kris’ first objective was to get the car running. He utilized the first 350 engine he could find, cutting the springs to achieve a sleeker profile. The Mercury quickly became his daily driver, demanding consistent attention and repairs. To tackle the challenges, Kris sought out a small local shop to rent for more focused work. Being a welder, he took on the task himself, fabricating everything from custom headers and engine mounts to a unique intake designed to host two 1949 Mercury carburetors.
With the Mercury back on the road, a newfound passion surged within Kris to further refine it into a mild custom, reminiscent of its golden era. He admired the work of Jack Fields from Kraftsman Autoworks and quickly initiated discussions for updates to the paint, chrome, and body modifications. The project soon escalated as Kris entrusted the Mercury to Jack, who began with ambitious modifications.
Among the highlights were a full air-ride suspension setup from Air Lift Performance Products and Jamco Suspension tubular A-arms with the ball joint conversion, as well as Fatman drop spindles, all of which allowed the car to achieve its appealing low profile. The low profile also benefited from the result of a C-notch rear section of the frame and installation of a four-link by Kraftsman Auto Works. They even replaced the stock rearend with a horsepower-proven Ford 9-inch from Currie Enterprises, complete with 3.73 gears and 31-spline axles. The brake package includes Ford Granada disc brakes and factory drum brakes in the rear, all operated by the original pedal assembly, along with a Jamco conversion to a GM power dual reservoir master cylinder. Located at the corners is a full complement of powdercoated, factory 15-inch-diameter wheels, now covered with 1955 Mercury hubcaps and then wrapped in Diamond Back Auburn Deluxe Radial wide whitewall rubber, measuring 7.10×15.
The interior received a complete overhaul courtesy of Chuy’s Auto Interiors, featuring vinyl colors that beautifully matched the exterior, with a touch of pearlescent white highlights. The carpeting is dark blue. Further personalization came in the form of a custom Mercury accessory steering wheel by Steering Wheel Kris of Hollywood, complemented by meticulously restored Appleton 552 spotlights, crafted to perfection by Chris Sharman of Poly King Custom Polymers. The dash, instrumentation, and steering column are stock but now feature a Painless Performance Products wiring harness that Full Circle Fabrication installed.
Since the project’s completion, Kris and his family have embraced the Mercury, regularly cruising the roads and sharing their enthusiasm for classic cars with the younger generation. The stunning custom Mercury Monterey even garnered impressive accolades, taking home Second Place in the 1949-1954 Hardtop Sedan Mild Custom Class at this year’s Grand National Roadster Show along with a coveted West Coast Kustoms Top 5 Mild Custom award.
The journey of Kris and his 1953 Mercury is not just about restoring a car: It’s about passion, perseverance, and family, igniting admiration for hot rods across generations.
