I have a 1951 Merc I acquired in San Diego.It is a 2 door with a 55 Desoto Grill,331 Hemi,frenched headlights,shaved door handles with poppers,appletons,tuck & roll interior and a Barris Kustoms sticker in the window.It has been in storage since 1968 and I found receipts from 1958-1968 with a name of Benjamin C, Abrenilla.Curious who built it or if anyone knows any history on this car.Thank you.Greg
Damn I am glad this has been found by a Hamber, Great find , a real eye opener to the real traditional custom.... something to be cherished, just minimum repairs and drive. Some of the people listed here might be able to tell you something. <table width="462" border="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="10"> </td><td valign="top"> <!-- Copyright 2004, Clickability, Inc. All rights reserved.--> <script language="javascript1.2" src="http://a449.g.akamai.net/7/449/1776/000/button.clickability.com/616/button_1/button.js"></script><script language="JavaScript"> window.onerror=function(){clickURL=document.location.href;return true;} if(!self.clickURL) clickURL=parent.location.href; </script> <nobr> </nobr> <!--startclickprintinclude--> <!---------- SAFE:SafeMode ----------> <!--START:STORY--> <!-- COLUMN --> <hedline><hl1>County Obituaries A-E</hl1></hedline> <hedline><hl2><!-- SUBHEAD --></hl2></hedline> <!-- CUTLINE: --> <!-- BYLINE --> <!-- CREDIT --> <story.date>August 5, 2005</story.date> <body.content> </body.content> BENJAMIN C. ABRENILLA Jan. 27, 1935-July 31, 2005 Benjamin C. Abrenilla, 70, of San Diego died Sunday. He was born in San Diego and was an aircraft mechanic. He was retired from the Air Force. Survivors include his nieces, Gigi Stewart, Robin Suafa, Bonne Mongold and Veronica Fenn; and nephews, Tom Deguinion and Anthony Fortun. Viewing: noon to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Berge-Roberts Mortuary Chapel, 607 National City Blvd., National City. Services: none announced. Inurnment: Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego. </td></tr></tbody></table>
He posted this one rear view in the Merc Gathering thread. Very interesting... I dont recall this one. Perhaps it has been in any of the late 50's magazines... but its to "mild" to remember right now. I will check my files later this week.
Somebody might have added the Rivi tailights later, they just don't look right, still a great survivor, best of luck.
Thank you for all the comments.I don't like the taillights either .I 've been having a hard time figuring out what taillights I want.
Really COOOL car but BAAAD choise of taillights....:-} Regarding the taillights. Maybe some 46-48 Chevy molded in the rear bumper? Saw that on a 51 Chevy convertible ones and it looked really nice and smooth!
you have been passed the torch(car,custom,whatever!),you need to take it the rest of the way.A little off the top,while preserving that headliner,and some packard clipper tailights!
Congrats on the purchase. From the rear view pic, it looks like you could rub out that paint and bring it back to life. Do they still sell "Blue Coral"??
Hey, What a great score! Now make the late Mr. Abrenilla proud! Not every 2dr.'49-'51 Merc on the planet needs a hair cut. Sadly, they'll sell a Sawzall and a squirtgun welder to anyone with dead presidents in their hand. I've seen a rash of chops of late, that look as if they'd been "finessed" by an ape wareing boxing gloves and a blindfold. Save history, don't be a party to rewriting it! Swankey Devils C.C. "Meanwhile, back aboard The Tainted Pork"
Just for reference, I just flipped through that issue, its not in there. (however there are two great features of '54 fords). Thats a nice merc, and at one time was a prized piece. Good luck with it!
sorry...July 57.I can only elaborate by saying the car is in there and its a nice one page feature.I can also say that Car Craft revisited the feature when they put out their anniversary isure in the early 80s.The magazine also featured the David Lee Roth video merc. I also know that there were a few other magazine shots of the car in the 50s.
Great find!! Cool that you traced the car back to Car Craft July 1957 00 Mack. What kind of taillights did it have in that story?
I gotta get to Kinkos.....again..LOL.I do remember that the car had 56 Olds hubcaps and the taillights were in stock 51 bumperguards and thev exhaust went through the bumper ends.I have to dig out the issue tonight.
Man, thats awesome ! I'd remove those Rivi tailights,put some cool early lenses back on the bumper guards,have an upholstery shop fix the headliner,put new 6.70x15 Firestones on it with the right kind of hupcaps,get the car running, and call it the day ! 00 Mack, You're a wealth of Merc information ! Post some pictures of the magazine article when you get a chance.
Alright Im goin tonight but not before I find some other shots of the car after it changed owership.Oh by the way,if memory serves me correct,the car had a flathead when it was in Car Craft.