History Hear George Barris with the Authentic Story of the First Chopped '49 Merc in History

Listen to the Historic Story of the most Legendary of ALL Chopped ‘49-’51 Mercs !

THE ONE THAT BEGAN IT ALL ! Sam Barris’ Chopped ‘49 Merc was the legendary ground-breaker for all of the Chopped Merc’s that followed it.
And who to better tell the story of how it all came down, than Sam’s brother: HOF Legend, GEORGE BARRIS !

Listen as George gives fond memories of his brother, tells how the cars build began, and, talks about the Merc’s restoration by Roy Brizio’s shop & its current owner, John Mumford.

It’s a R&C History lesson that you’ll have to hear more than once ! This might be the most important 3 minutes that you spend today !!
Just go to the Hall Of Fame Legends WebSite, scroll down til you see Sam’s Merc, and click-on George’s name: www.legends.thewwbc.net

To all my friends here at the H.A.M.B. many thanks for your help & support !

Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

Cool! My favorite Merc!!!

 

Quesnel or the Barris Merc . Will we ever know ............................

 

Love the website. Lots of history and memories.

Thanks

VonDad

 

Many thanks for your kind words...you're all THE BEST here at the H.A.M.B. !

JK

 

Very cool. Thanks!

 

... or if you're really lazy, just turn up your speakers and click this thumbnail:

 

"Sam drove the car around as a stocker for a few months, figuring out how to chop it. Sam's Mercury was built in the newer shop on Atlantic."

-Kustomrama

The Ayala Bros. 1949 Mercury for Louie Bettencourt was most likely the first Mercury to get cut, but Sam Barris finished his first.

It is an old story, and it is still a great car.

 

The debate goes on.

 

Either way, cool interview. Thanks Jonnie King.

 

This has been beat to death on here! I thought the last info was that the Quesnel Merc was done first? This was per Quesnel,according to Jellsled.

 

Well as far as the first Barris (Sam) chopped 49 Mercury. All know fact for now, sure make it look like it was the Jerry Quesnell 1949 Mercury that was chopped first. And road ready in white primer. Sam's own 1949 Mercury was chopped after that. But most likely it was completey finished before Jerry's Mercury was all painted.

So far we have not been able to find any construction photos or dates on the Bettancourt Mercury being chopped at Gil's Auto Body shop (Ayala). But this Mercury used all the tricks that where used on the 1941-48 Ford and Mercury body's. So we do know this also was a very early chop... but which one was first... we still dont know.. and if we ever will find out with all the key players gone for decades??? Most likely it will remain a mystery forever.

 

I was curious whether all the guys who have worked for Ayala and Barris had all passed, or are some still around? How about Frank Soznongi (sp?) or any other dude who worked at the shops. Seems like they would remember some of the time frames.

 

I hear Dean Jefferies is claiming he built the first chopped 49' Merc!

 

Unless he worked for the Barris' in the late 40's- early 50's that would not be true. Frank Sonzogni passed away but Larry Dames owns his Merc which i had on display in my "History of the Merc" gathering .