My dad's first car as an adult was a 51 Mercury. He drove it from Texas to NY when he was in the Chair Force in '51. It had a column shift and apparently the lever could be removed from the steering column with no ill affects while the car was in motion. Removing the shift lever and handing it to my future mother while they were going down the road was a favorite prank of my future father at the time. My future mother was never amused by it, however.
51 Mercs remain the classic, go-to model for Lead Sled fans. Just look at those lines. It was meant to ride low.

Never seen that bumper used on a early 50s mercury before. I know I've seen that bumper before but not sure on what car. Looks like something from the late 50s.

Not really digging that bumper and the sidings, but I do dig the color.