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History Sam Barris's 49 Mercury and Bob Hirohata's 51 Mercury

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Rikster, Nov 13, 2007.

  1. loggy
    Joined: Aug 3, 2006
    Posts: 282

    loggy
    Member

    Wow....certainly looks a place that should be on everyones' 'must visi' list..........certainly on mine.Just classy cars man.
     
  2. OLLIN
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 3,147

    OLLIN
    Member

    when I die, just sprinkle my ashes in that room!
     
  3. SoCal Merc
    Joined: Jul 26, 2007
    Posts: 572

    SoCal Merc
    Member
    from SoCal

    My 2 favorites, along with the Matranga.
     
  4. I've always liked the Sam Barris '49. Never liked the headliner or the green piping,but I like the pattern and the pleated doorpanels. That's how I want to do my interior,but all white. Cool seeing them both together. I'm gonna have to swing by there and take some close-ups.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  5. I also see,what looks like, the Matranga Merc behind them. Is that the original car,or a copy?
     
  6. Got to be a copy the original was destroyed in a crash I believe.
     
  7. bonesy
    Joined: Aug 14, 2005
    Posts: 2,999

    bonesy
    Member

    Thanks for the posting - I love it.
     
  8. That's what I thought...
     
  9. Pics of the whole thing on my site, I posted them last week...

    SoCalCarCulture

    [​IMG]
     
  10. According to the latest TRJ declaration, He's also part owner of that magazine.
     
  11. I can't believe they're using those stands and chain around those cars!!! :eek:

    Some kids hangs off that chain, or bumps that stand, it's going over.

    The chain does come up nice in some of the photos though... :rolleyes:
     
  12. kkoacolonel
    Joined: Oct 27, 2005
    Posts: 966

    kkoacolonel
    Member
    from Union,NJ

    Rikster,that was an amazing thread.Just to see all of the cars from the little mags in person and in one place.All we need are the 2 versions of the Rev.Earnst Chevies and Kurt McCormicks collection.it would be like a Sat afternoon at the Barris shop.Joe
     
  13. Vlopez22
    Joined: Nov 26, 2011
    Posts: 171

    Vlopez22
    Member

    living classic
     
  14. These are KUSTOM! no funny wheels and tires, no blowers, no true flows, no flames, just pure class!, I love these cars.
     
  15. Vlopez22
    Joined: Nov 26, 2011
    Posts: 171

    Vlopez22
    Member

    First of its time
     
  16. KomoG2
    Joined: Mar 10, 2009
    Posts: 180

    KomoG2
    Member
    from Utah

    I used to live less then 5 miles away from that hot rodding mecca. School was .5 miles away. Would hear the winter nationals while in class. Mite b y i cant speel good. Did my fifth grade report on it and the fairplex. Ill never be the same away from it.... Saw the exhibit a while ago, actually ran into George on my way out and his way in. Its awe inspiring in person.
     
  17. sub006
    Joined: Jun 7, 2012
    Posts: 56

    sub006
    Member

    I think a car magazine writer (Pat Ganahl?) found the deteriorated Hirohata Merc in So Cal maybe 20 or 30 years ago, bought it for a few hundred bucks and stored it away. Many years later he publicized what he had and got several auto suppliers and craftsmen to contribute to a restoration.

    Has he still got it? Might be time to cash in at Barrett-Jackson. If the Batmobile is worth four million, the HM ought to bring at least a tenth of that!
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2014
  18. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Jim McNiel bought it off a used car lot as a kid in the late 50's and placed it in long storage until the 80's when it was rightfully restored by him and some top names in the business.
     
  19. FOURTYDLX
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 718

    FOURTYDLX
    Member

    Rick: Just the BEST,bittchin
     
  20. Holy Fuck, where did you come up with that fairy tale?-MIKE:eek::p
     
  21. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    Brootal, I think it's plastic "chain" but still you're right,
    it's still gonna scratch if it falls.
     
  22. BobMcD
    Joined: Jan 25, 2013
    Posts: 322

    BobMcD
    Member

    That's right! Jim's owned the car over 50 years. Rod and Custom magazine was starting back up and Pat Ganahl approached Jim on doing a series of articles on the restoration on the Merc. Pat helped line up the parts and Jim did most of the restoration himself with the exception of the paint and interior. Junior Conway did the paint and Jim made a trade to have the interior redone.
     
    Model T1 likes this.
  23. krackerjack1951
    Joined: Apr 21, 2005
    Posts: 618

    krackerjack1951
    Member

    gathering of the kings! still a legend!
     

    Attached Files:

  24. Thanks for sharing Rik! Fuck owning them just to see them would be life changing. Two of the most influential customs ever.
     
  25. 2drmerc
    Joined: Jul 17, 2010
    Posts: 15

    2drmerc
    Member

    These 2 cars are the reason I own a 50 Merc.
    Thanks for posting Rick.
     

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