Every time I hear the words, "Hirohata Merc" I think of Bob Hirohata before I think about the car. Reasoning? A lot of people don't know this, but Bob was murdered execution style in the driveway of his parent's home in 1981. The crime was never solved. Sometimes it feels like more work went into the research and restoration of his car than went into the investigation of his murder. I'm sure that's not true... but it feels that way... and the investigative journalist in me wants to change that desperately.
That was a great video. I never knew the history of the car. I just knew it disappeared. I always assumed that a big checkbook had the car. Much respect for the owner.
I just watched a youtube video of the Hirohata Merc. I always liked the look of that merc.( I know i'm not alone.) when R&C did a feature of the merc in the late 80s, or early nineties, it showed how crude the chassis work was, & how the restoration group was torn on whether to leave the torch cut leaf spring hangers, & casters on the rear of the frame, for originality sake, or clean things up for showing the car in a more modern light. In the end, i remember they cleaned up the spring hangers at least.
Got to check out that documentary at @straykatkustoms show this year. I can’t remember whether it was the reunion or Lead Ain’t Dead, but that was the first time I learned about the history of the car. Very well done.
Beautiful documentary of the car, and a very good primer on what a "custom" is for folks not familiar with the style and history.
I watched that video...it was awesome...I love the history of these old cars...Pat Ganahl is an awesome story teller and he was there to see some of this stuff unfold... I will watch it again for sure... MikeC
Totally know what you mean.... Didn't his family own parking lots (pay for kind) an there was some thoughts property war type deal... It's been a while since I went down that rabbit hole..
I also remember the R&C documentation on "finding" the car in the 80s and its resurrection. Strange story all around
That was one of the theories... But he was actually in the insurance business. Another theory revolves around gambling and an unpaid debt. I've thought about filing for a FOIA with the LAPD to get the police report. But I know if I do that, I will go down that rabbit hole in a very real way... Still...
I have fully enjoyed the threads on this custom and salute the HAMB for providing all the information........
I still remember my excitement when Pat announced it's "uncovering" and upcoming restoration in R&C and followed along with eager anticipation on each article as they came out. The effort Jim went to to preserve it at a time when no one cared and then restore it largely himself in his own garage is commendable. To go so far as to put back Bob's folded business cards into the dash where they were stuffed how long ago to stop a squeak....that's something
I posted the Facebook link back in Aug. Thanks to @stuart in mn for posting the youtube and i assume @Moriarity for fixing the link for me.
Yup, Speed Gems posted it a few months ago but it's well worth the re-post for those who didn't see it then. I also followed the R&C articles by Pat Ganahl back when it was restored, it was a great series.
Me too and I'm very happy there. I have always been fascinated with the Hirohata Mercury and until Chris posted the video I didn't know the entire story behind the restoration and how many years I was stashed away saving iy from being a memory. I was unaware of Bob's murder, sometimes when you crawl out from under your rock you learn things that solidify the main reason why we reside there. HRP
Looks like you aren't the only one trying to access the records: Request 18-1978 - NextRequest - Modern FOIA & Public Records Request Software (lacity.org) Request denied because investigative files are exempt from disclosure.
I saw the initial police report years ago. It stated he was dead on the scene... and if I remember correctly it gave the address of his parent's house. I believe this was Mark Yader's request. He got the initial police report, but could not get the case file as it is still and "active" but cold case...
Fascinating to me for a number of reasons... But I think mostly about how rough it probably was for Bob. He was a Japanese American. As a kid during WWII he was incarcerated at the Manzanar War Relocation Center and even then still volunteered for service in the US Navy. He got out sometime in the early 50's... and started his car obsession then... But imagine being a Japanese American in the car scene in the 1950's. That could not have been easy. Easier that what he had gone through prior? Of course, but I'm sure those were tough memories to get rid of while dealing with prejudice in the now. He overcame all that and, by most accounts, was a successful guy in both business and life. I don't really know much about him... But he didn't look like someone you'd mess with and come away clean:
You may be thinking of Joe Nitti ( well known purple 32 roadster). He was a Taxi driver in Las Vegas when he was murdered. Mick
@Ryan maybe you need to write a book on Bob! That would be great. It would be interesting to know how he got into cars and what he did after he sold the Mercury, as well as trying to solve the mystery of his murder.
I've already got too much weird shit to write about. For instance, Mike Goodwin has been writing me from prison since 2012. I've never written back and never will, but it's crazy interesting to read his narcissistic bullshit. I would love to write about all that some day, but don't really want to give him the pedestal.
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