The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 01-10-2012, 10:30 AM

I've always dug this car and not so much because of the great lines or subtle modifications or tasteful color, but because of the story. In 1955, Dave Burgarin was just a young man that, like a lot of us today, was totally enamored by the Hirohata Me...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

**chaddilac** · 01-10-2012, 10:41 AM

That ain't a bad looking merc!!!

**Mr Nilsson** · 01-10-2012, 10:42 AM

Nice story and a beautiful Merc!

flamingokid · 01-10-2012, 10:44 AM

You can't get anywhere without determination and vision...looks like he succeeded.

Skidmark · 01-10-2012, 10:47 AM

Very cool story. Wonder where it is today.

ebfabman · 01-10-2012, 10:48 AM

Cool……

mrpontiac · 01-10-2012, 11:02 AM

That is a stinkin' beautiful car and I think it looks better than the Hirohata. Great story to go with it too.

**JeffreyJames** · 01-10-2012, 11:06 AM

Beautiful. One of my favorite rear taillight treatments ever. I think that's pretty much how the most of us build our cars today. Hurry & Hustle.

indybail · 01-10-2012, 11:12 AM

I take it there wasn't a Mrs. Burgarin.

Midwest Rodder · 01-10-2012, 11:51 AM

Very nice Merc!

**Stutz** · 01-10-2012, 12:26 PM

Buick headlight doors, in my opinion either look great... or like shit. These are perfect. Great car.

sammamishsam · 01-10-2012, 12:37 PM

Another custom (and a nice one too), Ryan. You're developing a pattern here. Is there a new avatar in the offing?

1 KooL "MoFo" · 01-10-2012, 12:44 PM

Real nice car with grate lines WONDER WHERE ITS AT NOW ???

1950ChevySuburban · 01-10-2012, 01:43 PM

Mighty fine ride!

**Mr48chev** · 01-10-2012, 01:54 PM

That has always been one of my favorite Mercs ever since I saw photos of it over 50 years ago.
I'd have to believe that there was a lot more pay as you go custom work done in those days than complete cars done at one shot.

John B · 01-10-2012, 02:19 PM

Wasn't there a story a few years back that an unnamed builder wanted to build a clone and one automotive journalist did an article picking the car apart with drawings and diagrams showing what he thought was wrong with the car. All in an attempt to keep the builder from cloning a car he didn't like.

Dammit, now I have to go pull out my Custom Rodders and find the article to back up my hazy memory.

1951Streamliner · 01-10-2012, 02:31 PM

That car has a great stance.

Thanks for sharing, Ryan

42hotrod · 01-10-2012, 02:40 PM

I, also wonder what happened to the car. After reading the story there was some very unique window frame treatments done to the car, along with the grill and tail lights I would imagine that car would be fairly recognizeable even in modern trim and paint.

beautiful car, hopefully its still kicking around!

Scot

**K13** · 01-10-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John B

Wasn't there a story a few years back that an unnamed builder wanted to build a clone and one automotive journalist did an article picking the car apart with drawings and diagrams showing what he thought was wrong with the car. All in an attempt to keep the builder from cloning a car he didn't like.

Dammit, now I have to go pull out my Custom Rodders and find the article to back up my hazy memory.

Harry Bradley was the one who did the article. I was unaware that it was tied to someone's build. I thought he was commenting/pointing out flaws on a couple of Barris builds.

rubberrodder · 01-10-2012, 03:35 PM

Good thing Dave Burgarin never met Harry Bradley! I like it!

01-10-2012, 10:30 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,624	The Pay As You Go Merc I've always dug this car and not so much because of the great lines or subtle modifications or tasteful color, but because of the story. In 1955, Dave Burgarin was just a young man that, like a lot of us today, was totally enamored by the Hirohata Me... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

01-10-2012, 10:41 AM	#2
chaddilac Alliance Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Muskogee,OK Posts: 13,685	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc That ain't a bad looking merc!!! __________________ Pinstriped iPhone 4 covers!! Whitewalls & Pinstriped iPhone Covers ON SALE!!

01-10-2012, 10:42 AM	#3
Mr Nilsson Alliance Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uppsala - Sweden Posts: 89	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Nice story and a beautiful Merc! __________________ Manne - ´54 Bel Air Ht Cremators CC

01-10-2012, 10:44 AM	#4
flamingokid Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Olathe,Kansas Posts: 1,056	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc You can't get anywhere without determination and vision...looks like he succeeded.

01-10-2012, 10:47 AM	#5
Skidmark Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 86	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Very cool story. Wonder where it is today. __________________ There's no I in barbeque team.

01-10-2012, 10:48 AM	#6
ebfabman Grenade Inspector Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: north carolina Posts: 145	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Cool……

01-10-2012, 11:02 AM	#7
mrpontiac Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Pittsburg, KS, 12 miles from Mo-Kan Posts: 709	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc That is a stinkin' beautiful car and I think it looks better than the Hirohata. Great story to go with it too. __________________ http://classicdragsters.com/ Look for H.A.M.B. Drags photos! http://www.retrohound.com

01-10-2012, 11:06 AM	#8
JeffreyJames Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 15,935	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Beautiful. One of my favorite rear taillight treatments ever. I think that's pretty much how the most of us build our cars today. Hurry & Hustle. __________________ I PLAY WITH TIGERS WWW.SUGARCITYSPEEDSHOP.COM CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM IMAGES

01-10-2012, 11:12 AM	#9
indybail FNG Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indianapolis Indiana Posts: 36	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc I take it there wasn't a Mrs. Burgarin. __________________ Jeff Downer Indianapolis Indiana

01-10-2012, 11:51 AM	#10
Midwest Rodder Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West Plains, MO Posts: 1,776	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Very nice Merc! __________________ FAKE TITTIES TASTE FUNNY

01-10-2012, 12:26 PM	#11
Stutz Alliance Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 307 Wyoming Posts: 1,723	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Buick headlight doors, in my opinion either look great... or like shit. These are perfect. Great car. __________________ The "Captain" 1930 Model A Build Need E&J Type 20's...

01-10-2012, 12:37 PM	#12
sammamishsam Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sammamish WA Posts: 472	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Another custom (and a nice one too), Ryan. You're developing a pattern here. Is there a new avatar in the offing? __________________ Steve Life was easier when it was just in primer!

01-10-2012, 12:44 PM	#13
1 KooL "MoFo" Grenade Inspector Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: "FRISCO", Califas Posts: 123	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Real nice car with grate lines WONDER WHERE ITS AT NOW ???

01-10-2012, 01:43 PM	#14
1950ChevySuburban Member Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 6,239	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Mighty fine ride! __________________ *My '29 Sedan build thread can be viewed here:* /showthread.php?t=635145

01-10-2012, 01:54 PM	#15
Mr48chev Alliance Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Yakima Valley, WA Posts: 15,440	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc That has always been one of my favorite Mercs ever since I saw photos of it over 50 years ago. I'd have to believe that there was a lot more pay as you go custom work done in those days than complete cars done at one shot. __________________ Definition of a "work car". One you have to work on all weekend so you can drive it to work the next week.

01-10-2012, 02:19 PM	#16
John B Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Olive Hill, Kentucky Posts: 1,052	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Wasn't there a story a few years back that an unnamed builder wanted to build a clone and one automotive journalist did an article picking the car apart with drawings and diagrams showing what he thought was wrong with the car. All in an attempt to keep the builder from cloning a car he didn't like. Dammit, now I have to go pull out my Custom Rodders and find the article to back up my hazy memory. __________________ www.cartercountycruisers.com - Est. 1982

01-10-2012, 02:31 PM	#17
1951Streamliner Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,665	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc That car has a great stance. Thanks for sharing, Ryan __________________ Custom '46 Chevy Thread -Aaron Acquafondata

01-10-2012, 02:40 PM	#18
42hotrod Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: S.E. Idaho Posts: 809	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc I, also wonder what happened to the car. After reading the story there was some very unique window frame treatments done to the car, along with the grill and tail lights I would imagine that car would be fairly recognizeable even in modern trim and paint. beautiful car, hopefully its still kicking around! Scot __________________ Video of my old 46 pickup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyPLHOjL6TY

01-10-2012, 03:35 PM	#20
rubberrodder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: pacific n.w. tacoma wa. Posts: 1,262	Re: The Pay As You Go Merc Good thing Dave Burgarin never met Harry Bradley! I like it! __________________ "An intelligent person should never be bored." - Leanard Valadez, Rest in peace.

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