1949 Mercury with Two Tesla Motors

[Shel_B]

A recent episode of Jay Leno's Garage introduces us to a twin Tesla-engined 1949 Mercury coupe. As much as the car itself, the conversation between the car's creator and Leno brings up some interesting ideas about the future of electric cars and engines in the collector and custom market. The 1949-51 Mercurys are one of my favorite cars from that era. Hope you enjoy the video ...

 

[GON]

Thanks for sharing Shel.

Jay seemed to have a hard time keeping the Mercury between the lines.

 

[Shel_B]

Thanks for sharing Shel.

Jay seemed to have a hard time keeping the Mercury between the lines.

I was somewhat saddened to see how Jay has aged. I suspect that his reflexes and abilities have diminished with the passage of time. I also wonder about how well set up the Merc's suspension was. I got the sense that the car still needed some tweaking before it was completely complete.

 

[GON]

I was somewhat saddened to see how Jay has aged. I suspect that his reflexes and abilities have diminished with the passage of time. I also wonder about how well set up the Merc's suspension was. I got the sense that the car still needed some tweaking before it was completely complete.

Shel,

It happens to a lot of us as we age. In my late 50's, my reaction time, etc is not what it was 30 years ago. I though the same on the Merc's suspension, but can't image the engineer did all that work with the custom battery packs, special cooling systems, twin electric motors without modifying the body- but overlooked the steering and suspension.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Very neat car. I like the lizard on the hood and I wonder how it can stay on so long without falling off hahaha.

 

[dishdude]

That's an abomination! These classics should be left as original as possible.

 

[Astro14]

Engineering the thermal management of batteries, motors, and controllers shows that this is a well-designed car. Not just slapped together, but well crafted. Quality work.

 

[Trav]

That's an abomination! These classics should be left as original as possible.

That is my feeling too. These 49-50 Mercs are scarce in unmolested original condition, it is a shame to ruin it like this no matter how well the work is done. In the end it is just an old shell.

 

[Astro14]

I would truly hate to see a complete, correct, original car cut up and transformed. They’re rare, and historically significant. Even “resto-mod” done on an original car is a travesty.

But my understanding from the video/discussion, was that this car didn’t have a motor and was just sitting.

Which makes this electrification more of a resto-mod on a car that had lost its value. It had lost its originality. Putting it back on the road is great, when compared with languishing away, not driven, and not used.

 

[WobblyElvis]

Usually the people that bring a car to Leno are excited to be there and have a lot of information to share. This guy is no exception. If he were to talk half as much, it would be a better video.

 

[JeffKeryk]

CA is famous for our cars, car shows and car culture. The Merc's are always the stars of the show. Love 'em.

 

[4WD]

The flip side is that some of the old rust heaps the Martin Bros recover would only become iron rich dirt.
Given the stiff/modern undercarriage, LS engine, rack & pinion, stronger brakes etc - some lucky person has something fun & safe to drive any day they desire …

 

[DuckRyder]

I don't hate it.

I think Ford has an Electric "crate motor" in the either available or in the works.

 

[Cujet]

Why not. So many old vehicles are difficult to keep running reliably. With the vintage cracked blocks and heads, and so on. Many of those cars were scrapped because the drivetrain was toast. I like it.

 

[andrew_j]

The

That's an abomination! These classics should be left as original as possible.

Classics can be whatever the owner wants. In the end cars are nothing more than a consumable good with set amount of economical drive cycles.

 

[twouvakind]

Love the three point belly belt, Jay