Certain cars have broad appeal across the collector community, while others just capture the hearts of hot rodders. Within the custom car hobby, however, the 1949–1951 Mercurys hold broad sway, perhaps because of a single icon, the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause, which starred James Dean. A very mildly customized 1949 Mercury Coupe was Dean’s ride in the movie, and it became symbolic for a generation of teens who came of age during the 1950s. The custom car movement was near its zenith, and thousands of California youth were eager to take their Mercurys to such gurus as Gil Ayala, Darryl Starbird, and George Barris in search of individuality.

Dean’s car was merely nosed, decked, and lowered a bit, but the archetypal “James Dean Mercury” received more radical alterations, including a chopped top, frenched headlights, and a remote door and decklid operation. This 1950 Mercury Convertible Coupe has all of these, plus more modern adaptations.

Mechanically, it is in the modern street rod idiom, with a small block Chevy engine that is fed by an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and Turbo 350 Hydra-Matic. The custom body touches start with a chopped windshield and new lower-profile top. Popular custom trim items have been added, including DeSoto grille teeth and side spears from a 1953 Buick. The car is equipped with dual spotlights and painted in dark metallic green with a subtle underlying flame motif.

The interior is done in brown leather with dark green piping, and it has a matching top boot cover. The convertible top itself is tan canvas. The dashboard has been upgraded with new Classic Instruments gauges, and power windows have been fitted with hidden controls. The car was built with hidden door and deck lid controls, but it has had conventional door handles retrofitted more recently. Air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes complete the convenience package.