From Gene: This car was originally built in 1964 as The Solar Scene & now I’ve duplicated it here in its entirety. This is a full custom full fiberglass reproduction of the original build. I’m very happy to have it displayed here at SEMA this year & I will be around to sign autographs this week. go here for a picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzDngyEuLjA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I think they said it’s one of his fiberglass reproduction bodies that I hope can start producing again.
It would look so much better minus the lower two headlights. However, the "outer space look" beauty is certainly creative.
As much as I respect Gene and his ability I don't particularly care for this Merc. Too much body stuff going on in my opinion.
The front ‘bumper’ certainly isnt my taste but that’s custom for ya! a ride height correction would make it look infinitely better
Fantastic car, I don't remember anyone asking people if they like it or not..... https://kustomrama.com/wiki/The_Solar_Scene
Ah I see, I had no idea it was a replica/tribute/homage to a pre existing creation! Love the original in that pic
note that the windows are covered on white. so, assuming that it is a project. not the finished product
This looks like he did the original justice, just did the body and not the chassis/interior. That's how a lot of SEMA builds are. Showcase (sell) your talents, don't over-reach. Kudos to Gene! With everything he's got going on right now, finishing this for SEMA is quite a feat. It takes a phenomenal amount of time and energy to build a paint a car at this quality, and he's not a 30-something. I'm pretty sure we all know the health challenges he's faced in the last few years, and the current sale of his shop. That's a lot for anyone to handle and building a recreation to this level deserves a tip of the hat - not hate. Normally this is a pretty civil site. Let's try to keep this a positive post.
It was a far-out sixties show car friends. Had to do lots of body mod’s that don’t hold up so well these days. Yes, it is a non-complete tribute to the 1964 original. Yeah, he plans to lower it. He’s getting a lot more done at 96 than me at 61. He’s up early and staying late, moving all around the show. Do you guys know he has never smoked or drank? That’s adding years to his life and I respect that.
Does the original build have the windshield chopped less than the side windows? It feels like it’s maybe had a bit above the windshield sectioned out when it got chopped. can’t tell for sure I keep flipping back and forth between the two and was curious of anyone knew?
I think they look close to the same height. Says it’s a ‘53 Mercury windshield and I think it’s a good option. Was done in ’64, would be traditional today.
Maybe. Look at the drip rail on the new car, it stays flat going over the A pillar and over the windshield. Now look at the photo of the original car and it steps up to go over the windshield.
The entire top has a different shape on the new car compared to the original given it is based on one of his Fiberglass bodies and not an actual Merc. It has a way more streamlined chop that the original had.
Yeah, he already had a body to start with. This build is to promote the paint rather than actual recreation. I wonder if the original is still out there. I like that history stuff, tracking the evolution of custom cars.
By the way, I literally wish I could start reproducing his Merc bodies and stuff. I’ve played with fiberglass for many years. Dreams . . . It’s probably what I call a “zero billion dollar industry”.
The Jalopy Journal
