Hirohata Merc
Encyclopedia
The Hirohata Merc is a 1950s custom car
, "the most famous chopped Merc, and arguably most famous custom car ever." Setting a style and an attitude, it had a "momentous effect" on custom car builders, appeared in several magazines at the time and has reappeared numerous times since, earning an honorable mention on Rod & Customs "Twenty Best of All Time" list in 1991. The impact may be measured by the fact that, after more than fifty years and numerous owners, it is still known as "the Hirohata Merc".
and Sam Barris, assisted by Frank Sonzogni. It started out as a 1951 Club Coupe
. Nosed, decked, and shaved, the top was chopped three inches in front and five inches in back, and the vertical B-pillar was reshaped so that it curved forward. The rear window had its posts removed, and was raked steeply forward, requiring a new roof piece to be fabricated. Side trim was replaced with that from a 1952 Buick (the spears), augmented by grille teeth from a 1952 Chevrolet (three per side) and functional scoops. The front wheels are fitted with traditional sombrero ('47-'51 Cadillac) hubcaps.
Skirts were added, fitting flush. Three '51 Ford grill
s were used to custom-fabricate one, and the bumper was fitted with dagmars
.
Barris used a vee-butted windshield, a very common customizers' trick in that era, rather than a one-piece windshield, which was available on the '53 Merc. He added Appleton spotlights, frenched the headlights (which were fitted with '52 Ford rings), and added '52 Lincoln Capri
taillights. The exhaust pipes were routed out through the rear bumper, beneath the taillights, and a pair of radio antennae were frenched into the rear quarter panels.
The Hirohata Merc was painted in two shades of green, a total of thirty coats, which were applied by Junior Conway. The interior was upholstered with tuck-and-rolled naugahyde. The dash, seats, and headliner were white with dark green inserts, matching the exterior lower body color (below the Buick spears).
of the period, who in the same way created Fordillacs and Studillac
s.
In 1955, the Merc made an appearance in the film Running Wild
, for which it was painted gold over the original ice green.
Hirohata sold the Merc, and the car changed hands several times. It was eventually owned Jim McNiel, who used it as a daily driver for years, then placed it into storage. Ultimately, McNiel restored the Merc to her original configuration.
Custom car
A custom car is a passenger vehicle that has been modified in either of the following two ways. First, a custom car may be altered to improve its performance, often by altering or replacing the engine and transmission. Second, a custom car may be a personal "styling" statement, making the car look...
, "the most famous chopped Merc, and arguably most famous custom car ever." Setting a style and an attitude, it had a "momentous effect" on custom car builders, appeared in several magazines at the time and has reappeared numerous times since, earning an honorable mention on Rod & Customs "Twenty Best of All Time" list in 1991. The impact may be measured by the fact that, after more than fifty years and numerous owners, it is still known as "the Hirohata Merc".
Construction
Constructed in 1953 for Bob Hirohata, it was designed and built by GeorgeGeorge Barris (auto customizer)
George Barris is a designer of custom cars.-Early history:George and his brother Sam were born in Chicago in the 1920s. After the deaths of their parents, they moved to Roseville, California as children to live with relatives. Both were good students, interested in drama, music, and design...
and Sam Barris, assisted by Frank Sonzogni. It started out as a 1951 Club Coupe
Mercury Eight
The Mercury Eight was the first Post War Mercury design, and the first named Mercury model . It has an 8 tube radio as an option. The engine was a Flathead V8 that produced slightly more power than the then also newly-designed 1949 Ford. A new overdrive system was optional, and was activated by a...
. Nosed, decked, and shaved, the top was chopped three inches in front and five inches in back, and the vertical B-pillar was reshaped so that it curved forward. The rear window had its posts removed, and was raked steeply forward, requiring a new roof piece to be fabricated. Side trim was replaced with that from a 1952 Buick (the spears), augmented by grille teeth from a 1952 Chevrolet (three per side) and functional scoops. The front wheels are fitted with traditional sombrero ('47-'51 Cadillac) hubcaps.
Skirts were added, fitting flush. Three '51 Ford grill
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
s were used to custom-fabricate one, and the bumper was fitted with dagmars
Dagmar bumpers
Dagmar bumpers, also known simply as Dagmars , is a slang term for the artillery shell shaped styling elements found on the front bumper/grille assemblies on several makes of cars produced in the 1950s, an era recognized for its flamboyant designs and prominent use of chrome details.The term was...
.
Barris used a vee-butted windshield, a very common customizers' trick in that era, rather than a one-piece windshield, which was available on the '53 Merc. He added Appleton spotlights, frenched the headlights (which were fitted with '52 Ford rings), and added '52 Lincoln Capri
Lincoln Capri
The Lincoln Capri was a full-size automobile sold by Ford's Lincoln luxury division. It was introduced for the 1952 model year and discontinued soon after the 1959 model year....
taillights. The exhaust pipes were routed out through the rear bumper, beneath the taillights, and a pair of radio antennae were frenched into the rear quarter panels.
The Hirohata Merc was painted in two shades of green, a total of thirty coats, which were applied by Junior Conway. The interior was upholstered with tuck-and-rolled naugahyde. The dash, seats, and headliner were white with dark green inserts, matching the exterior lower body color (below the Buick spears).
Later changes
Hirohata later replaced the original Mercury flathead engine with a transplanted Cadillac engine, creating the nickname "Mercillac" ("merk-ill-ack"), in the fashion of roddersHot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
of the period, who in the same way created Fordillacs and Studillac
Studillac
Studillac is a name given to a customised aftermarket car assembled between 1953 and 1955, comprising a hard-top Studebaker coupé fitted with a Cadillac V8 engine. The assemblers charged about $1500 more than the Studebaker standard model. An option was a dual-range Hydra-Matic transmission, at an...
s.
In 1955, the Merc made an appearance in the film Running Wild
Running Wild (1955 film)
Running Wild is a 1955 crime/drama film starring William Campbell and Mamie Van Doren. It was distributed through Universal Pictures.-Plot:...
, for which it was painted gold over the original ice green.
Hirohata sold the Merc, and the car changed hands several times. It was eventually owned Jim McNiel, who used it as a daily driver for years, then placed it into storage. Ultimately, McNiel restored the Merc to her original configuration.
Magazine appearances
- Hot RodHot Rod MagazineHot Rod is an American monthly magazine devoted to hot rodding, —modifying automobiles for performance and appearance.-History:Hot Rod is the oldest magazine devoted to hot rodding having been published since 1948. Robert E. Petersen founded the magazine and his Petersen Publishing Company...
March 1953 - Motor TrendMotor TrendMotor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
March 1953 - Rod & Custom October 1953
- Trend Book 109 Custom Cars 1954 Annual
- Rodding and Re-styling January 1956
- Trend Book 143 Restyle Your Car
- Rod & Custom August 1989
- Road & TrackRoad & TrackRoad & Track is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, and is published monthly. The editorial offices are located in Newport Beach, California.-History:...
August 2004 - Trend Book 133 Custom Cars 1957 Annua
- The Big Book of Barris
See also
- Automotive restorationAutomotive RestorationAutomobile restoration is the process of repairing the degraded aspect of a car to return it to an overall "authentic" condition. To renovate a car without updating or upgrading it by keeping in line with how it would have appeared when first offered for sale...
- Kustom (cars)Kustom (cars)Kustoms are modified cars from the 1930s to the early 1960s, done in the customizing styles of that time period. The usage of a "K" for "Kustom" rather than a "C", is believed to have originated with George Barris.-Styling:...
- Lead sledLead sled-Automotive Usage:Originally, the lead sled referred to extensively repaired/modified cars due to the use of lead as body filler and was, for the most part, an insult....
- Von DutchKenny HowardKenneth Robert Howard , also known as Dutch, Von Dutch, or J. L. Bachs , was a motorcycle mechanic, artist, pinstriper, metal fabricator, knifemaker and gunsmith...