Dick Lindsley's 1954 Mercury

Dick's Mercury was featured in the "Car Corner" section of the "Teen Scene" in The San Bernardino County Sun Saturday, December 6, 1958.

1954 Mercury owned by San Bernardino Krankers member Dick Lindsley of San Bernardino, California. Named Creme 'D' Mint, the car was a sea island green semi-custom with gold scallops built by Dick while he was a senior at San Bernardino High School. It was Dick's second semi-custom Mercury, and completing it qualified him for membership in the Krankers Car Club of San Bernardino.

The Build

The long, low stance was achieved by cutting two coils out of the front springs and using 4-inch lowering blocks in the rear.

Up front, the solid false grille was removed from the air scoop, and round rod was worked into the leading edges of the scoop. The grille was altered by taking the small grille teeth out of the upper bar and removing the bumper guards from the lower bar.

At the rear, the emblems and handles were removed from the trunk lid and the holes were leaded in. The bumper guards were removed to lend a straight-bar effect. The taillights were left stock, though Dick had plans for some fancy work at a later date.

Paint

The car was painted sea island green and offset by a gold scallop job. Each scallop was gold with a darker tint at the end of each spear of the pattern, and every scallop was outlined with white wide-line striping. To finish the outside, Dick added spinners, six-foot exhaust headers, and the name Creme 'D' Mint. In the caption to the original feature the name was given as Creme d' Mint.

Interior

The interior was upholstered in the green and gold theme. The headliner was light green with white piping, and the seats followed a similar pattern. The package tray and tonneau cover were done in gold, along with the rugs and a clean dash. Chrome accessories were used throughout the inside.

Engine

The engine was a stock rebuilt 1954 Mercury overhead V-8 dressed with chrome. The valve covers, air cleaner, and wire looms were among the many parts sent to the platers.

Magazine Features

Dick's Mercury was featured in the "Car Corner" section of the "Teen Scene" in The San Bernardino County Sun Saturday, December 6, 1958. Written by Bert Leaverton, with a photo by Curt Armstrong Jr. At the time of the feature, Dick was a senior at San Bernardino High School and planned to present the car in the third annual car show of the Krankers Car Club. Dick had spent $2,000 on the build.