Daisy now a gorgeous, golden drop top
Selecting a project car to restore is not an easy task. Between questionable maintenance, shoddy body repairs and dubious fit and finish, finding that diamond in the rough — while avoiding the plethora of lemons — can daunt even the most skilled hot rod tradesman.
When Bob and Kris McArdle came across their 1947 Mercury convertible, few doubts remained in their mind about the quality the work performed on the soon to be acquired ride: it was being prepared for a prestigious and detail-oriented concourse showing.
While Bob has been involved in the classic scene for a while (commanding a couple of muscled GTO bruisers), he knew from the start when he came across this stately classic that it was to be his wife's set of wheels. Bob noticed Kris always gravitates toward this automotive genre at local Hampshire shows.
“Day after day, I kept seeing the online ad and each time, I thought, ‘Boy, this is nice. Kris would love to have this gorgeous car!” Bob said.
He was right. “It was the classic lines of the Merc that drew me in. Its certainly not something to go fast off the line but simply a cruiser and big — something with a lot of steel!” Kris said.
A deal was struck and after a several-state trek from Dayton, Ohio, the golden glazed project was unloaded from a flatbed truck in the couple's front yard, along with eight boxes crammed full of assorted factory-correct parts, pieces, wires, bolts, nuts and washers — the benefit of intercepting a restoration destined for meticulous scrutiny.
Everything was promptly hauled into the garage and work commenced on the nameless project. That is until an intrigued friend dropped by to check up on the progress. Kris recounts the interaction:
“Their first reaction to the half-finished car was, ‘When its completed, that'll be just right for ‘Driving Miss Daisy'!” While the movie's Lady Werthan would much prefer her staid Cadillacs, the inspiration was spot on and the sunburst Merc was christened “Daisy.” This new name is both proudly displayed on a custom license plate and hand-painted on the trunk lid.
With their purchase having been given a new name and accompanying identity, the invigorated Hampshire couple rolled up their sleeves and set to work, tackling the accessories, brightwork, interior trim and reworking the archaic 6-volt wiring setup to accommodate 12 volts. Despite a hands-on propensity, Bob and Kris let the Hampshire-based crew at Getz Hot Rod Innovations handle the bulkier work, relying on their expertise to ensure the endeavor was headed in the right direction.
While this post-war wheeler still packs its original flathead V-8, the McArldles felt those 100 wheezing horses trotting out of the 239-cubic-inch powerplant would breath easier if they were unbridled to exhale through dual, stainless tipped pipes.
“During the first few months, we found the original setup to be so quiet, often we weren't sure it was even running,” Bob said. The reticent decibel level was rectified last winter when Santa dropped off some ‘throatier' gifts.
“Last Christmas Bob surprised me with a full exhaust system for Daisy,” Kris said, adding that she was thrilled — how many girls open a package containing glasspack mufflers and headers?
While concourse judges would surely cringe and knock off points for the non-factory exhaust note, the rumble from the rear is just the ticket for sweetening the weekly drives. “Sure, it's still the weak engine underhood, but now it's got more ‘oomph' to it and is certainly more fun to drive,” Bob said.
Dual Stromberg 97 carbs also help to ensure that smile factor. The couple keeps the three-speed transmission in gear, carving up back roads with the Huntley-based Downshifters Car Club, or headed to the local 50s-styled Chick'N Dip drive-in on a warm summer nights.
While Kris is usually the one planted behind the wheel, when she parks the sunny convertible, she also can be found readily answering onlookers' inquiries.
“While I've certainly learned a lot from the experience, while we're out, Kris is the one eager and ready to answer the spectators' questions,” Bob said.
While any Pebble Beach retirement dreams may be in the rearview mirror for this golden gem, Daisy's meticulous restoration allows Bob and Kris to cruise care-free in this scintillating drop top.