WebJan 14, 2024 · Fortunately for every custom car-obsessed person in the world, Jim McNiel managed to find the money to buy Bob Hirohata’s Mercury from the used car lot in 1959 and owned it until his death in 2024. Under McNiel’s ownership, the Hirohata Mercury was restored, shown, and won its class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2015. WebDec 15, 2024 · Bob Hirohata of Los Angeles was in his early 20s when he purchased a year-old 1951 Mercury Club Coupe. He only owned it for three years but his name has …
Did you know?
WebJan 18, 2024 · The Hirohata Merc is viewed as the pinnacle of Merc lead sled design, and is recognized as the most famous custom of all time, which is why it's no surprise to see … WebJan 6, 2024 · This 1951 Mercury stood out when the young vet, Masato Hirohata, who went by Bob, had it customized in 1952. And it remains an exemplar of a type of custom coach-building that developed around Los ...
WebAug 12, 2024 · The 1951 Hirohata Mercury was an instant legend when it rolled out of Barris Kustoms in 1952, and in the nearly seven decades since, its iconic status has steadily grown. As for the Merc itself, it was simply … WebMar 15, 2014 · Bob Hirohata purchased his near-new low mileage 1951 Mercury after he got out of the Navy in 1952. Shortly after the purchase, Bob took his new ride over to Barris Kustoms of Los Angeles, California. George and Sam Barris had previously customized a 1949 Chevrolet for Bob. When he dropped the car off, Bob had a short list of specifics: …
WebAug 10, 2024 · Bob Hirohata's 1951 Mercury Club Coupe was restyled by Barris Kustoms for Bob Hirohata. The first version of the build was completed in 1952. Known as "The Hirohata Merc," Bob's Mercury is … WebAug 17, 2024 · from Temple City, CA. Back in the late 50's Bob Hirohata placed an ad in one of the Hot Rod Magazine Mart ads. Bob lived In Temple City off the corner of La …
Web468 Likes, 41 Comments - Chuck Zito (@officialchuckzito) on Instagram: "Here's the famous "HIROHATA MERC" Owned by Bob Hirohata, and built by the King of Kustoms George ..." Chuck Zito on Instagram: "Here's the famous "HIROHATA MERC" Owned by Bob Hirohata, and built by the King of Kustoms George Barris and his brother Sam back in 1953.
Hirohata sold the Merc, and the car changed hands several times. It was eventually purchased by Jim McNiel for $500 in 1959; McNiel used it as a daily driver for years, then placed it into storage. Ultimately, McNiel restored the Merc to her original configuration. See more The Hirohata Merc is a 1950s custom car, often called "the most famous custom of the classic era". Setting a style and an attitude, it had a "momentous effect" on custom car builders, appeared in several magazines at the … See more Constructed in 1953 for Bob Hirohata, it was designed and built by George and Sam Barris, assisted by Frank Sonzogni. It started out as a 1951 See more • Hot Rod March 1953 • Motor Trend March 1953 • Rod & Custom October 1953 • Trend Book 109 Custom Cars 1954 Annual See more 1. ^ Bernsau, Tim (2003-12-01). "Favorite 50 Rods & Customs". Rod & Custom. Retrieved 2024-02-15. 2. ^ Rod & Custom, 8/89, p.12. 3. ^ DeWitt, John. Cool cars, high art: the rise of kustom kulture, University Press of Mississippi, 2001. ISBN 978-1578064021 , … See more Hirohata later replaced the original Mercury flathead engine with a transplanted Cadillac engine, creating the nickname "Mercillac" ("merk-ill-ack"), in the fashion of rodders of the period, who in … See more • Automotive restoration • Kustom (cars) • Lead sled See more • Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. CA-2328, "1951 Mercury Sport Coupe Custom (Hirohata Merc), Orange, Orange County, CA", 2 measured drawings See more seattle wa to los angeles ca flightsWebMay 2, 2011 · Actually, I saw an old Mercury being roof chopped over here in London a few years ago - the guy is very talented and did a beautiful job on it - dropped the rear screen into the trunk old skool stylie! He stitch-welded the whole job and didn't have to … seattle wa to lynnwood waWebMay 26, 2014 · One of the Icon Custom Cars from the early 1950’s that can be seen at shows with the trunk open was Bob Hirohata’s 1951 Mercury by Barris. Bob had a fully detailed trunk (as well as chromed engine) and … pulling games in robloxWebOct 26, 2024 · In 1952, young Bob Hirohata had just returned from a stint with Uncle Sam’s Navy to his SoCal home and a 1949 Mercury that featured some mild customization … seattle wa to mclean vaWebFeb 18, 2024 · February 17, 2024 8:46 pm 3 Sponsored Behold the 1951 Hirohata Mercury, purchased by Bob Hirohata after he got out of the Navy in 1952. Previously, … pulling goldfish on skateboardWebJan 20, 2024 · Fresh out of the Navy in 1952, Masato (Bob) Hirohata took his standard 1951 Mercury Club Coupe to brothers George and Sam Barris and requested that they give it a pillarless “hardtop” look similar to what … seattle wa to longview waWebJul 8, 2015 · The Sam Barris 1949 Mercury will be shown by current caretaker John Mumford. [divider] 3. Bob Hirohata 1951 Mercury. Bob Hirohata worked part time at the Barris Kustoms Shop when he took his near new 1951 Mercury to the shop. He the Barris team to turn his Mercury into a wild award winning Custom Mercury. And that is what he … pulling golf cart