Featured is a customized 1949 Mercury Eight Convertible also known as the “Lead Sled”. The 1949 to 1951 Mercurys became the favorite cars of 1950s customizers.
Lead Sled refers to the car having a heavy body and modified suspension giving the vehicle a lower stance. The word “lead” came from the fact that in modification lead was used as a body filler. This was prior to the introduction of “bondo.” The added lead obviously made the body heavier.
Some automobile models are turned into hot rods and others into “Lead Sleds.” In a large way, the lead sled is also a hot rod of a somewhat different sort. Lead sleds are considered to be modified full size American cars usually from 1949 and the early 1950’s.
The first Lead Sled was built in 1949 by designer George Barris. Among other vehicles, Barris designed and built several automobiles for Hollywood movies including North By Northwest and The Time Machine.
First Postwar Design
When did postwar civilian production begin. Priority assistance was given the automotive industry, Apr. 5, 1945, for purchase of tools and equipment and for construction work. After the surrender of Germany the industry was authorized to make approximately 200,000 units during the remainder of 1945All quota limitations on the production of automobiles and trucks were revoked by the War Production Board within 10 days of the Japanese surrender.
Civilian car production was halted for three and one-half years. All automobiles and trucks that came off the assembly lines immediately after the war were essentially warmed over prewar designs. With that being said, there was tremendous demand for new cars and trucks after the war.
Automakers brought out their new postwar designed vehicles near the end of the 1940’s. As an example Chevy’s new Advance Design trucks for 1948 were the first completely restyled General Motors vehicles introduced after World War II. Chrylser unveiled their new designs in 1949. Studebaker brought out their new designs in 1947.