[ETL]

Hirohata Merc: Custom Legend - Full Documentary

Historic Vehicle Association

The 1951 Mercury Sports Coupe built by Barris Kustoms, “The Hirohata Merc” is the embodiment of the custom car craze that became popular in post-WWII America!

This chopped Merc helped set the trend for many custom cars to follow and made an indelible mark on America’s automotive history!

Take a look as we dive into the world of custom cars and how this one chopped Merc made history in this single-part release of our docu-series “Hirohata Merc: Custom Legend”!

Hirohata Merc: Custom Legend - Full Documentary [33 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd5GfqfKnrg

[ETL]

Here are a few of the many other famous cars built by the late great George Barris...

[ETL]

Sam was George's brother. He was the real master builder/engineer behind the builds. George was more the master designer, if I got it right.

[nicollo]

That photo from the Washington Mall (w/ Wash Monument) is from the Historic Vehicle Association, which places there specific automobiles of particular historic value once a year: https://www.historicvehicle.org/category/cars-at-the-capital/

Along w/ the Barris car, they also displayed the Gypsy Rose and the McGee Roadster: https://www.historicvehicle.org/gypsy-rose-famous-lowrider-goes-washington-d-c/

I helped out w/ the Taft car in ‘16. Was a fabulous event, as we brought in White House Transportation Agency soldiers who assisted w/ the presentation: https://www.historicvehicle.org/newly-introduced-legislation-aims-give-old-cars-footing-bridges-buildings/

[Fiji Hill]

A Ford takes on a Mercury and they drag race down a highway. Both of these are from 1951.

Hot Rod Race (California version)--Ramblin' Jimmy Dolam

Hot Rod Race (Hawaii verson)--Tiny Hill & His Orchestra

[dakine]

Good as place as any to ask this question -

My Uncle who later built engines for power boats (he is in the Michigan power boat Hall of Fame) suped up a Mercury for my Dad in the 50s that my Dad always talked about ( Dad raced it on Telegraph and of course Woodward)

My question: What is the Max number of Carbs that could be put on the engine? Because my Dad used to always talk about he could see his fuel needle drop in minutes!

[Peter W. Kessler]

An absolutely fantastic video. I was unaware of the whole history of the Hirohata Merc, and the video lays it all out.

Rod & Custom covered the restoration. The car was beautiful to look at, but it was downright DANGEROUS to drive. Seems ol’ Georgie B took quite a few shortcuts getting the car to sit down low.

George Barris was a showman, a promoter; not a particularly great stylist. He hired great metal workers and painters, however. Sam Barris was the talent of the partnership. It’s sad he died so young.

[Ken H]

[Repeal The 17th]

If I had money, I tell you what I’d do,
I’d go downtown and buy a mercury or two,
Crazy ‘bout a mercury, Lord, I’m crazy ‘bout a mercury,
I’m gonna buy me a mercury, and cruise it up and down the road.
-
Alan Jackson-1993
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0gfWZfVIY8

[T.B. Yoits]

It’s uncommon for a movie (or an actor) to greatly tarnish the image of a cool car but the role Sylvestor Stallone played in ‘Cobra’ made a nice chopped merc seem like an accessory for a clown.

[knarf]

MINE was a Flexible Flyer ....

[progunner]

Ahhhh!!!! 7 cent gasoline, Stromberg 97 (tri power) carburetors, hanging out at the hamburger stand, chick trolling and drag racing down the local boulevard. I dream of those good ole days.

[TianaHighrider]

Cool car Ping and Bump!