The Mangled Mercury Project: This Barn Find 1939 Mercury Has Gone From Forgotten To Incredible Hot Rod! Watch The Whole Build In 30 Minutes!

January 3, 2026

The Mangled Mercury project from Iron Trap Garage has been a really fun project to watch come together. Starting out as what seemed like a simple chop top Mercury build, it has gone into full custom territory and has some great looking metal work. In the final video in the build, the Mangled Mercury build is completed in just 30 minutes. If you want to see how this all came together, check it out below.

We introduced the Mangled Mercury Project several months ago and shared the first cuts, plans, etc. for this soon to be cooler ride. We continued with more videos in the series, and if you missed those then the link is below. Those episodes include massaging roof panels, changing the windshield height, reshaping, shaping, and more. Just cutting the top down doesn’t make the car look right, as it can be boxy and not smooth like the front of the car wants the rear to be. When chopping a Merc like this, it’s all about that sexy flow of the roof. And after all that and more, some good old black lacquer to finish it off.

The Iron Trap Garage crew are never without projects, but this one is special because it feels like it has been forever since they chopped or channeled anything. But that is all about to change with the Mangled Mercury project. It’s time for this rough machine to get some love and that means cutting the top into multiple pieces in preparation for some pretty substantial styling changes. Changes that we totally approve by the way. I mean who doesn’t love a chop top on a hot rod?