For those who have ordered the Dutch Magazine... I was just informed that the magazines will be shipped from the publisher to me this week... As soon as I have them and have them ready to ship. I will contact everybody who ordered them. Thank you for your patience.
Rikster, what can I say. Many of us live to far away to go the these shows, but because of your CRAFT, your expertise, we have the next best thing. Where would we be with out you and your work. Ha, should we call it work. Nnaaa, thanks again. I live in a remote place but still have the best photos because of the HAMB and you. Ice man
For those who had ordered a copy (or more than one). They have been delivered at the post office today... give it 7-10 work days to get to you. PM's with Paypal info will come shortly. Thanks
Today i found the magazine in the post mail. WOW!!!!!!! I like this mag very very much. That`s rikster style!!!! Rik you should publish your own Magazine. (Hopefully with a lot of cool Mercs) Rik many thanks for your support to bring the Mercurys on top. Chris
Got them already!Very cool!It's funny how the covers and some of the ads are in English.Very nice work,thanks Rik!
My indexfinger is sore of scrolling , there is no better post , custom Mercs role , thats all there is too it , thats Rik for showing me the best of the best ! Wolf
I posted these scans of an Popular Science October 1951 Barris article in another post. Then Jeff asked me to repost them here.. so we can discuss the Jerry Quesnel photo again... Lets hear it Jeff.
Ok Rik this not that major but it is something to think about in our on going mystery...... This came out in 1951 which we know already and we know Sam's cover wasnt till 52.This is what popped in my head and I could not come up with a answer all day. We all know how much of a promoter George was and still is right ? Think about this for a second..... This magazine ( which was very honorable back then and still is) approaches George and ask's him to give some examples of there finest work for the public to see what kustoms are all about. Why would George submit photos of Jerry's merc instead of his brother Sam's car???????? Goerge claims Sams was first right?? Wouldnt you want the world to see your new body style merc done in a major magazine ??? It just seems to me that there is no way in hell that George would use Jerry's merc instead of Sams merc for this article. What do you think Rik ????
First off, i will remember the Merc gathering for the rest of my life. Now, on to the 1st Kustom Merc saga. Although i don't personally believe the story that Quesnel chopped his car in last 1948 ( then had Sam finish it months later) i do still think there is a chance that his car was done first. Two reasons. The original photo album that Rik, Jeff,Sledge, and myself viewed in the hands of John (Sams son) Barris showed the Kustom world last year at Sacramento. It clearly shows Quesnel's car throught the entire album. Why? Second, If Sams car was first wouldn't his own brother help promote it everywhere - including to all the magazines?
Yes Axle that show was not only unfu**inbelievable but it changed history with Marcia's album. I dont believe the 1948 story either. Maybe Jerry started cutting at his house and found out he was in way over his head and found out he needed Sam to do it but surely it wasnt in 48 the photos prove that. I think Jerrys was out on the street in white and winning trophies while Sams was being done. I think that Sams was painted and polished and perfected first,then after Sam's was seen at a show or two then Jerrys was painted purple and had the grill changed.
Very good thoughts jeff. Another reason to believe Jerry's car was first. Not that it was a question for me anymore. The Marcia Campbell photo book that Axle talks about was enough proof for me. And I agree I dont this this was in 1948. The license plates in those photos tell otherwise. But Jerry's car was first to be chopped at Barris. You can clearly see that Sam is experimenting with the chop, treating it like an earlier model. Perhaps Jerry started customizing his car right after he got it brand new in 1948. The car can be seen as a mild custom in the Photo book. Yes George the promotor for sure would have put Sam's Merc in the Popular Science magazine if it was done first.
Axle... I keep forgetting about this... but my photos of the Gathering where also used in a Japanese magazine. I will scan the article later today, and post them here. You will like it.
At least we have a little more closure on the Quesnel merc being the first chopped 1949 mercury to come out of the Barris shop. It sure isnt as much of a mystery anymore.
Here is theJapanese magazine where I supplied the photos for the Mercury Gathering article. The Japanese team took care of the text and lay-out.
Nice job on the book Rik, Does anyone know about the gentleman who took all of those pictures in the Merc building late that Friday night with the lights off? I was told that he was in there all night. Wasn't he going to do a book on the cars? Whats the status? Quesnel, We need to tell people like Ganahl all of the research that was done about the Sam/Jerry Mercs being customized and at what time frame. This needs to be brought to the attention of automotive journalists and magazine owners world wide in order to accurately put this in history yet help this custom car future as well. I think Rik is probably right. I bet Jerry started customizing his Merc shortly after purchasing it - with shaving emblems,nosing and decking it,etc. The real stuff like the roof wasn't done until later. Jeff? talk to me buddy.
Yes that is right!! It is easy to see now that Jerry's was done first and crushing pavement way before Sam's,especially after I brought up the point last night with the popular science article. What do you think .... should I try to call Pat??? Someone else?? Will they give us all credit for researching this stuff? To be honest I have been thinking about this stuff all year, anything to try and prove that Sam's merc was not chopped first.Im not saying my recent point with the popular science article is concrete evidence but it does make a solid point.
On a side note, I totally agree that the Wally Welch/Ayala Merc should of been painted the original lime gold.
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