1951 Mercury Eight Sport Coupe once owned by Kung Fu creator Ed Spielman, with a built 276 flathead

Why we picked it

Why we picked it: this is a 1951 Mercury Eight Sport Coupe that was finished around 2014 by Terry Becker in Arizona. The flathead was bored to 276 ci with a Scat crank, H-beam rods and Ross pistons, and it has Offenhauser heads and intake, an Isky cam and a Holley 4-barrel. It also has front disc brakes, a 12-volt conversion, Borla duals and a SpeedHut GPS speedometer. The listing says the title is a clean California title in the current owner's name.

The history is the hook. The seller's binder says the car belonged to Ed Spielman, who created the Kung Fu TV series, and that it appeared in The Lords of Flatbush and Next Stop, Greenwich Village. Hagerty presents these as reported claims, so ask to see the paperwork. The bid is $1,951 with about 8 days left. Comparable cars have sold for around $18,500 to $29,700, so it can climb a long way and still be fairly priced.

The value check

When we found it, the bid was $10,000. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $18,500–$29,700, so the middle of the market is about $24,100. That put this car 59% under.

Running 1949-51 Mercury Eights in original or mild custom form sold for about $18,500 to $29,700 at Bring a Trailer, Mecum and Hagerty over the past year. The current bid is a small fraction of that.

Where the numbers come from:

• 1951 Mercury Eight, original, sold $25,277 (Bring a Trailer, Jun 2026)
• 1950 Mercury Eight, original, sold $22,000 (Bring a Trailer, Aug 2026)
• 1949 Mercury Eight custom, sold $18,500 (Bring a Trailer, Jun 2026)
• 1950 Mercury Eight sedan, modified, sold $29,746 (Hagerty, Oct 2025)

What to check

• The listing has no written condition summary and points to 174 gallery photos. Study them closely or arrange an inspection.
• On 1949-51 Mercurys, check the rocker panels, the lower doors and quarters, the trunk floor, and the floors under the mats for rust and old repairs.
• The flathead has a stroker-style bottom end and a performance cam. Ask for build records, and confirm that the cooling system keeps it cool in summer heat.
• The film and celebrity history comes from the seller's binder. Ask for the documents before you pay extra for the story.
• Reserve status is not shown on the page. The mileage is TMU (true mileage unknown).

Making it drive like new

We would keep the flathead and its period speed parts. To make it easier to live with, add a 5-speed or overdrive conversion for highway cruising, radial-friendly alignment settings, three-point belts mounted to reinforced points, and an electric fan with a shroud for the flathead. It already has front discs and 12 volts.

2 builders make a complete chassis for the 1949–51 Mercury. Compare them side by side, along with what it takes to stiffen the factory frame.

How it ended

Bidding reached $17,500 but the car didn't sell (ended Oct 21, 2026). Unsold cars often get relisted, so it may turn up again.