This chopped Merc was built by Jerseys own Bob Barkoff in 61 who has since built a merc that has alot of the same characteristics.It was called "Bobs Chopper" and was shown extensively in the early 60s. The first pic is of it in a shown in Teaneck N.J. in 63 and the latter is of it at Liberty State park in Jersey City in 86.Sammy De John has the car now and it still sits the way you see it!
The car was painted candy red and got set of 57 Caddy hubcaps in the 70s.It was the first chopped merc I ever saw and for you Jersey guys,it was this car that started the Jersey dip!I WANT MORE PICS OF THIS!
Yep I remember that day in Jersey City and we were both there.Your pop had the 53 there too before he doubled up the trim if I remember correctly!By the way,when the pic was taken in 86,John Paszik was doin some work on the roof but they had duct tape over where he dug out the then 25 year old body work.Bob told me that when he used to hit bumps,the back window flew out of the car!haha
Oh man, blast from the past!! I believe I took that pic of the car in 86 at Liberty State Park....There must have been 10 chopped mercs there that day, including Bob Nitti's 51 , Manny Bastio's sectioned 4 door in primer, out for the first time that day if memory serves, not to mention Joe Carloni's 51 with the 6 rib 54 merc taillights....White, who had the chopped 50 Merc in dark gray primer with the nose fogged in with light gray prime?? that car had some really nice proportions....
Hey Politz...The car you are referring to was Mike Tierneys 51 which was built be Joe Maneri.The car had a 52 DeSoto front bumper and was later paineted green with silver inside the DeSoto sidetrim.
I've lost touch with Sammy DeJohn since he retired a couple of years ago, but I'm not surprised he still has that beautiful Merc. He's a hell of a nice guy, and he'll tell you a good story or two.
ok...i had no idea that was the same car....i met Mike at the Road Agents show a couple years ago....the car looks fantastic...
Back to the Barkoff merc,Hey Paszik,get whatever pics ya can of this thing!Ive been fiendin for years!
Yeah man, Ill see what I can get. I have to drop off window templates for my 51 at his shop soon. So hopefully NJ + 1 more chopped Merc
OK, tease the midwestern guy, but what's a Jersey Dip? Is that the doofus mobster who fumbles the whack job? Is it where the turnpike has a sunken spot and you scrape the rockers?
The Jersey Dip is a term coined by the Odoyles here on the hamb which means that the frenched Packard,Lincoln or other lean back late mid 50s taillight lens is mounted low in the quarter panels so the quarter turns down to meet the top of the light.This was usually practiced by people in the Central Jersey area.
Shit, Anthony, your sure that didn't stay a while in Florida, like 1984? It looks danged familiar. I lost a lot of my old photos.
Nope Nads!Ya have to only have the lens.However,56 Clipper taillights are veeeerrrryyy Jersey .Yours looks like any other well finished car with complete 56 Clipper taillights.Only you se the dip.Dont change it!
Hey Ant. I have pics of the one he has now and how it looked when it was Frank Bedacht's. I liked the one he has now when it had the 51 back window in it and when it was still called "Fugly" and daily driven. I'll see if I can find them.
I remember seein that car then. Wow that was a long time ago. My dad had the 47 plymouth then wit the 49 merc taillites at the same show.
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