HAMB HISTORIANS HELP -Finest Merc gathering around ~ 60th Anniversary of the 49 Merc

Ten years ago (1999) at the Sacramento Autorama my wife and I did the 50th Anniversary gathering for the 49-51 Merc. We had 50 mercs and a garage sceen with a unrestored 51. No historcal mercs, But a good representation none the less. Chip. West Coast Kustoms Sacramento Rep

 

Chip,thanks for the update..well,so at this point looks pretty much this 09 Merc gathering will be probably the most highest concentration of both historical and contemporary Mercs around...awesome!!!
Lookin forward to see many pics here...can't wait!!! Sled

 

I'm packed and leavin in a few hours. This will be my last post til the gathering.

When i thought of this idea 4 months ago and brought it to the producers attention, i never thought in a million years how much work was involved. There has been times i was happy to be doing this, then other times i asked myself why the hell i was doing this. I'm sure Friday when all the cars are parked ,displyed,and ready to go, i'll sit back with an ice cold Corona in my hand and grin. till then...........


Thanks to: My wife Celeste, Robbie Radcliffe, Rik Hoving, Chip Chipman,00Mack,Bad Bob, for your help in this.


SPECIAL THANKS TO: Kevan "Sinus" Sledge, for putting in your 16 hour days on your car for the past month to get your car ready. You kicked *** my friend,and all that hard work will pay off in the end.

See you guys there.

 

Axle's the man!

 

Weather update for Sacramento. Wed 65 partly cloudy- thursday 57 light rain- Friday 56 light rain, 1\2" total for both days- Saturday 59 PARTLY CLOUDY (NO RAIN)- Sunday 60 Sunny. Chip West Coast Kustoms Rep

 

well i got bad news my uncle is dying so i don't think i will be able to make it. might have to take my dad to Tucson to see him. can you guys please take a lot of pics for me. nothing more i wanted to do then to see all those beautiful mercs in one show.

 

I am new to the H.A.M.B., But I think this is going to be the greatest show EVER. The Green 40 Merc is beautiful. I will have to go to this show.

 

sure rub it in now

 

I have always loved those old Mercury's, but never had 1. Here is a photo of one I could of bought in 1976,in Meridian Idaho. The guy wanted $500 dollars for it but I offered him $300 there was no motor in it. He said he would take $400,and that would be his bottom dollar. That was because it was an old Balion car. He thought it was worth that. It had scoops behind the quarter windows and above the back window. I sure wish I had bought it now.

 

Sorry to hear about your situation bro. If your dad needs you, or you have any ties to your uncle, get it done. If not and there's no emotional attachment, might wanna find a sit in from the family (at your expense) to get your dad there safe.

 

interesting grille treatment on that merc, looks like a 55 chrysler. ya have anymore pics of it??

matt

 

I'm leaving Thursday morning at 3AM. Wish me luck guys!!! 421 miles,ONE WAY!

 

Good luck Bob, Drive safe!!! See you all on Saturday!

 

its only a 5hour trip i do it all the time

 

Well, I made it there...
I started the day at four in the morning drove to Amsterdam airport, took the plane to Washington, then on to sacramento. Checked in at the Motel, met Axle and his wifer Celeste, hang out a bit with them. Then after a 26 hour traffel day I decide to go to bed... trying to get going on US time.
Need coffee now... make that an despresso... or two, or five.

Let the cars roll in now... me and my camera's are ready.

 

I'm jealous of all you guys that are there already! We get in to the airport at noon on Friday. Haven't heard of a firm time for a meet and greet other than Bad Bob's car noon on Sat. Hope to actually meet a bunch of you guys!

 

Cool, if someone needs to be there, it's you ...

Try to enjoy your visit just a little....

CC

 

Yeah Rik!Im thrilled that you are there!Have a ball!

 

Wow, it is great that the world's most knowledgeable kustom historian is able to see this show live and in person.

Have a ball Rikster! E

 

I'm leaving at midnight tonight.It's 456 miles one way.Borrowed a trailer from a friend.I have everything loaded.Wish me luck.I never pulled a trailer that far.Can't wait to get there.

 

Welcome to California Rik! enjoy your stay and take lots of pics

 

Welcome to our hometown, looking forward to meeting you this weekend.

 

If this guy can make it from across the globe, nobody in the US has an excuse.

By the way, pics are great, but would someone shoot some VIDEO please?

 

]Sorry that was the only picture I had, I wish I had more. Even better yet, I wished I had $400 then and bought the car. The car had no drip rails on it. I can't remember it either had Packard or Lincoln taillights, frenched antenna. It had rounded hood corners. There was no door handles. It had been setting for quite some time.[/COLOR]

 

Here in Sacramento . Hanging out with Rikster as he is staying in the room next to us. The Sam Barris Merc and the Hirohata Merc pulled in at the same time this evening and Rik didn't know which car to look at first. There are only a half dozen early bird Mercs in the building but i think its fair to say that Rik's brain is already on overload ! I just took a picture of him sitting inside the Hirohata Merc touching the dash with Von Dutch striping !

Yep, he's gonna sleep restless tonight.

 

Axle,

I found the photographs I took of the Private Eye `50 Mercury's. The photos are dated March 1987. If you notice one Merc has California black license plates and the other has Arizona license plates. Other than the license plates, it is really hard to tell which is which. If you look closely at the front and rear bumpers, you will notice certain telltale signs, like holes, dents and fits. The cars were finished at different times because we had to get one delivered as soon as possible, that is why one was photographed in the rain and the other on a sunny day in front of Gene's old shop in Canoga Park, 7256 Eaton Street. Both cars had Gene's fibergl*** front clips, lake pipes and bubble skirts.

I have a life time of fond memories working there, today it seems odd driving through the San Fernando Valley and realize Gene is no longer at his old shop where he spent so much time building custom cars for the studios and individuals. I am blessed to have been there.

Thanks,

David Grant

 

Axle,

I guess the photos did not show up with my last post. I'll try again. Refer to the privous text.

David

 

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Damn, I hate you guys...........

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well my uncle p***ed away this morning so it's official i wont make it now. man this was like a dream come true to see all those beautiful mercs under one roof please take a lot of pics.