Charlie Marr's 1940 Mercury

The Mercury as it appeared after Carl Morton bought it in 1962.

The Mercury as is sat in 2008

Freshly installed removable padded top by Paul Reichlin at Cedardale Upholstery

Interior by Guy's Interior Restorations

The Mercury at the 2009 Sacramento Autorama

The Merc as it sat when it was offered for sale in September 2010.

1940 Mercury originally owned by Charlie Marr of Burbank, California. Charlie bought the car brand new in November, 1939, and within two weeks he and Gerry Huth had chopped the windshield 3 inches. After chopping the windshield, the car was fit with a padded top by Carson Top Shop.

Around 1962 Carl Morton acquired the tired old custom car. Carl had just taken over the former Valley Customs shop from Clayton Jensen when he bought the car. Photos from when Carl owned the car, shows the Merc without running boards and fender skirts. The exhaust has been routed through the trunk, and the door handles are still on the car. Air intakes had also been drilled in the hood. Carl kept the car in storage for more than four decades, and as several other '40 Mercury projects came and went, he set aside original parts from Charlie's old custom, while also accumulating new old stock for a planned redo. Thanks to Morton's diligence, all of the original customized body parts, including the fenders, doors, hood and trunk lid—plus smaller pieces, such as the window frames, vent windows, dash and windshield trim remained with the car.

After storing the car for four decades, Carl sold the Mercury to Tom Black of Portland, Oregon in 2005.. A thorough restoration was performed in 2008 - 2009. During the restoration Tom did his best to bring the car back to its 1940 appearance, and every possible effort was made to use only authentic pre-World War II era parts. After the car was totally disassembled and dipped, all bodywork was done in lead before epoxy primer went on. After the restoration the car featured 1937 DeSoto ripple bumpers, 1941 Studebaker taillights, and running boards. The fenders were molded to the body, all the handles and emblems were removed and the hood molding were shortened The springs were de-arched, and the frame was C'd. Custom Sikkens Autocryl green metallic paint replicated a hand-rubbed multi-coat lacquer finish. Dual Appleton spotlights, wide whites with Flipper Hubcaps and fenders skirts were also added. Paul Reichlin at Cedardale Upholstery made a new removable top for it. Guy's Interior Restorations did the interior work. An ivory-colored 1940 Buick steering wheel and matching knobs were also installed. Tom runs the car with a hopped up Flathead with a Columbia rear end, Weiand 2x2 Manifold, a Lincoln dual ignition and with a pair dual chrome carburators with chromed heads this enigne looks real shiny and neat.

August 12, 2010, Tom sold the Mercury at the Bonhams Exceptional Motorcats and Automobilia auction at the Quail Lodge. The car sold for $166,500 inclusive of Buyer's Premium.

In September 2010 the car was advertised for sale on Hemmings. By then the car was located in Houston, Texas, and the asking price was $225.000 USD.