BTW: The Ford Barn is really about keeping the cars here in as original state as possible. Hopefully your Merc still has a flathead in it . . . I highly encourage you to stick with the flathead as they are wonderful engines, have a unique character to them and it is what belongs in your Merc. We can help you with everything needed to get the car in top mechanical shape . . . using as many original parts as possible.
Many of us have built high-performance flatheads . . . with all the go-fast goodies available. You can take a 40 Merc engine and increase its horsepower quite easily, though there is always a cost involved when you start buying all the cool parts like heads, manifolds, etc.. The point is that you can surely make your Merc perform at a level that makes it comfortable and safe at today's highway speeds (even with a mostly stock engine) - you just need to plan and execute your build with those goals in mind.
Know what you want to achieve and budget for it. Ask a lot of questions before you chose your final build path. Truth be told, most of us have found that it takes twice as much money and at least twice as much time as we originally envision (that is how we talk ourselves into doing what we do!) . . . but it is worth it in the end!
If you really desire to go the street rod route, the best place to collaborate on that type of build in the HAMB (Jalopy Journal). The truth is, many of us have cars that are a good "fit" for both places . . . but we'd surely like you to keep your Merc as unmolested as possible! Your car looks very original - I'd try to keep it that way
