Bob & Janet Barkoff

1951 Mercury 2-Door Coupe

    Bob & Janet Barkoff purchased thre ’51 Mercury in 1988. It was a “Rat-Rod Custom” that had been the previous owners daily driver and was in serious need of a restoration. The first major change was re-chopping the roof using a ’49 donor. Next was extending the rear fenders and installing ’56 Packard tail lights. All of the excess chrome including the door handles was removed and filled. The hood corners were rounded and S-scoops were molded into it.

    Other additions and mods were electric door and trunk openers, full skirts frenched to the rear quarters, electric antenna frenched into the right front fender, a ’54 Chevy grille with extra ’53 Chevy teeth, Power windows & seats, ’49 Mercury dashboard, ’90 Buick T-type interior panels that were modified and then reupholstered, and lastly, digital gauges. The engine is a 350 Chevy Tri-power and is backed by a turbo 350 transmission and a Camaro rear end. The paint is House of Kolor Candy Magenta over a silver base.

    The Barkoff’s told me that their friends were very supportive during the build. In fact, one night when many of their friends had stopped by to lend a hand, the Barkoff’s decided to take a picture. There were so many people that the picture had to be taken in two frames!

    Albany Rods and Kustoms would like to thank the Barkoff' for sharing this beautiful 51 Mercury with us and congratulate them on being the 2008 Adirondack Nationals Senior 2nd Place Winner.