The Jimmy Summers 1940 Mercury is perhaps the most beautiful 1940 Merc custom ever built. Raised fenders, removed running boards and a sectioned (cut down) hood make this car extremely elegant. Luckily for us the car is still around, and apparently in pretty good condition. Its rumored to undergo a full restoration right now. Here are some photos that Donn Lowe took of the car a few years ago for TRJ magazine... The car was originally painted in a gorgeous deep maroon, but after Jimmy's wife ran the car into something he repainted it in a deep green. The padded top always was a light tan color. Hop-Up magazine photo...
My Dad at times has talked about a chopped Merc he used to drive around in. It was out of Ventura County and owned by Danny Signor? I know there were many chopped Mercs around but just asking if anyone knows any info. Must have been mid to late 50's. I seem to recall he said it was green. B
I believe that's a Brougham, not an Eldorado (Eldorado was a 2-door model - Brougham was a 4-door hardtop with a stainless steel roof skin and suicide rear doors from the factory.)
1952 DeSoto grille teeth. They look bit strange becuase the bottom section is covered by the custom grille opening.
I remember that the Cadillac was called El Dorado Brougham, not just Brougham. Just a memory, not necessarily correct. I also think the Chevy convert looked much better without the scallops. They drew the eye away from the beautiful body lines and modifications. Having siad that, I would have been the first one to help scallop a car, because that is what we did.
Vasquez' chev was later repainted Titian red with a gold mylar between chrome trim pieces added to the sides and more restrained scallops. There is a picture in the Barris books volume 3. According to the book Greg Sharp took the photo and said the car was being raffled off for the Renegades show. It has not been seen since as far as I know. Santos "Saint" Vasquez was said to have done a lot of work for disadvantaged kids so perhaps some of the raffle money went to that. Mick
Some very mild early customs... And a very obscure "custom" for the "what where they thinking" category
That last car IS kinda weird. I would like to see it up close and in person to examine the workmanship. Wonder what the deal is with the top...is it made in two sections? Looks like maybe just the rear part folds down, leaving the driver's compartment covered. Strange, but intriguing!
ok for those of you interested in the Adonis convertible up there (St. Vasques) here is a model of it done by Ron Wood in Michigan, I told him how much i liked his car and how i wanted to build it to, he bought me the parts i need to build it and sent them in the mail! so now i'm in the progress of building mine, but here is his.....Thank You Ron!
I had no idea this was the same car... should have looked better, there are many details that showed it so clearly... thanks!
When I was 15 at the Holland Mich Leadsled nats, I couldnt believe people werent going BONKERS over the fact that the car was there.
Me too. A few people reconized it. John Koew said someone in NY was cloning it because they didn't think still existed. So what do I do ? Drive it as is, try to bring it back by removing the connie kit and painting it silver, or selling it to someone who can do a proper job? Thanks for your input, Rick
The current state of the car with the Continental Kit and the wrong skirts and extra chrome "doo dads" impair the clean design created by Clarkaiser. Restore the car to the original version. If value is a factor in your decision, I believe you will see an increase over the current version. The cost shouldn't be excessive if the overall condition is as good as it appears.
The Jalopy Journal
