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

Chip could you send me the pics to my e-mail! Thanks Jeff jeff@jjsrods.com

 

I just recently bought this 39 merc custom and would sure like to find some history on it! Rikster has some pics on his site and I know it's been on the HAMB before but still no history as of yet. It was for sale at the last LA Roadster show where my fellow club member Squeak bought the car and I guess the guy that knew all the history died 1 week before the roadster show.

But the guy who sold it to Squeak said that the old man told him it was the very first merc ever customized! He bought the car brand new and had it done right away. Who knows if thats true or not but I guess it is possible! It looks like it was a custom for quite a few years because it was first painted sort of a medium green (like Jimmy Summers 40 convert) and had a sunken 40's license plate in the rear trunk lid. Then It looks like they filled in the sunken plate and repainted it dark burgundy.

Some of the custom stuff that has been done is the windshield has been cut 2 inches, it has a Carson or Hall top, its been nosed and decked, side trim shortened, gas filler filled, 37 De soto bumpers installed, has 1 spotlight, tuck and roll interior, all chrome garnish molding, and at on time had the sunken 40's plate (which it will be getting again!)

Any info you guys can find would be greatly appreciated!

 

More pics of the 39. Help!

 

I thought maybe this could be the car in an earlier verson but I dont know?

 

Its a tough one,Sledge,especially if the details like the bumpers arent exact.I always get the feeling that there were more than 100 chopped ,almost stock but chopped 39,40 Merc converts roaming the streets of L.A. at the time.

 

I know what you mean, I have seen a few over the years. Im happy either way but an old photo would be nice!

 

True,

To think of the cars that we study simply because we read about them in all of the vintage magazines and of course the newer Barris,Winfield,Montgomery,etc books.

Think about how many cars back then ,for one reason or another, didn't manage to get published in anything.

 

So, you bought that car, Kevan. I saw it for sale a couple of years ago and it
was told (as usual) that it had been through the hands of Barris at some
point. Whatever, it is truly an authentic very early kustom build. No matter
where or when it was born. Very interesting to find any stories or history.

Keep cruisin', buddy!

 

Good find Kevan. It was at the LA Roadster show, right? I would say that it would be an early 40's Custom, like that Maroon one featured in RJ a couple issues back found in Northen Cal, it was a '39 too. Also, sorry to jump on this thead with this request, know any leads for a 39 Merc hood? Thanks.

Ken

 

The guy that had that Merc for at the LA Roadster show was Jorge Zaragoza (the guy that owns the Calori Coupe and the Mc Mellen (SP) roadster) his guy that builds his cars knows some history of the car, he is a HAMB'r I will look for his number and PM you Sledge!

John

 

Thanks for the info timebomb! I knew someone had to know some history on the car. Looking forward to getting that number, I really appreciate it!

 

Thanks JB, I'll keep you updated on any history I find about the car!

 

------------------------------------ U P D A T E ----------------------------------------------

Hello everyone,

After giving this serious thought and spending a lot of time talking with Robbie
Radcliffe,Kevan Sledge, and John Buck (the producer of the show) , we have decided to call this event - The "70th anniversary Custom Merc gathering".
My reasons for changing this are due to the fact that the Mercury was first introduced in 1939. Also, Not long after, Mercs were kustomized . We will still have a great emphasis on recognizing the 1949 Merc and how famous that body style is , but thought this just sounded better and included customizers during the "War Years".

Hope you all understand and this causes no confusion. Everything will remain the same - just the name/***le has changed .


My wife spent countless of hours every night for the past 2 weeks creating this art work & flier for us. The end result is something i am extremely happy with and i think she captured a true 40's/50's feel to it. I think it looks like an old adverti*****t.

Hope you all like it, Axle

 

Flier looks great.

 

Nice artwork Mrs. Axle!

 

Here is a bit larger version of the flyer.

 

Love the artwork.Will it be available as a poster at the show?

 

Another all time famous 51 Merc that was very instumental in the revival of kustoms was Steve Gonzales' Hirohata influenced Merc that was on the cover of the famous Merc issue of Street Rodder in 77.The last I know ,the car was wearing the same Persimmon paint job that it wore in the feature and Steve still owned it.Its a must have just for the part it played in jump starting the chopped merc movement.

 

Awesome!I know of at least 5 Mercs from the late 70s and early 80s that were influenced directly by this car.

 

FrenZ.....the '54 will be there, probably in the suede room. It'll be sporting a few new touches, but still subscribing to L.A.B......haha.

I agree. Axle, any info on this?

http://www.calexpo.com/html\hotel.asp

Cal Expo is where the State Fair is held, so there are lots of hotels, bars, and restaurants within a 5 mile radius....there's a Hooters too.

Bryan

 

Thanks guys,

I will talk to John Buck (producer of the show) and try to get T-shirts,posters,stickers made.

Want to thank "Chip" for your help in this as well.

Everyone "Chipping" in and offering to help is gonna make this a memorable event !

 

I always thought this was a great looking Merc...supposedly his son got to drive it to high school- man, that would have been great! Imagine the tail you'd get...no matter what you looked like or how nerdy you were

 

Beautiful artwork, Celeste! It looks just like a wintage poster from the late '40s/early '50s...

I REALLY hope this will be for sale on T shirts and stickers...that would be a great idea and sell like crazy.

 

You just like it cause your names on it! Ha ha ha!

 

Hey Rikster,are you flying over to the show?I'd like to meet you!

 

For those who are looking for hotels or motels, try the web site sacramentocahotels.net. I am going to call the convention and vistors bureau and the chamber of commerce to see if they have a listing for a 10 mile radius of Cal Expo. If they do I will post it. Chip.

 

Check out the Marriott Village hotels (Marriott, Townplace Suites, Fairfield Inn) at the back exit of Cal Expo, they love us car guys.

 

Here are some of the hotels within a 4 mile radias of Cal Expo

Doubletree Inn 2001 Point West Way (916) 929-8855
Red Lion Inn 1401 Arden Way (916) 922-8041
Townplace Suites-Cal Expo 1784 Tribute Rd (916) 920-5400
Courtyard- Cal Expo 1782 Tribute Rd. (916)929-7900
FairField Inn 1780 Tribute Rd. (916) 920-5300
Resident Inn- Cal Expo 1530 Howe Ave. (916) 920-9111
Best Western-Expo 1413 Howe Ave (916) 922-9833
Radisson Inn 500 Liesure Ln. (916) 922-2020
Motel-6 7850 College Town Dr. (916) 383-8110
Goodnight Inn 25 Howe Ave (916) 386-8408
Comfort Inn 21 Howe Ave (916)379-0400
Vegabond Inn 2030 Arden Way (916) 286-2400

Chip

 

Thank you Chip, we needed to have this on here a long time ago.