HIROHATA
MERC
Designed
and built in 1951 for Robert Hirohata by George and Sam Barris.
Started as that year's Mercury Club Coupe. The top was chopped
with all removable post, sides, top, etc. These were blended
into the areas of the vehicle. Unique curved hand formed frames
were built to house all side glass.
The slanted fast back top design has a canted back glass and
V-buttoned windshields. Front Ford headlight rims and Lincoln
tail lights were blended into the fenders. Grille shell as molded
together into one piece with unique floating center piece. Bumper
and pans were smoothed out to fit front and rear side body panels
which flowed into functional rear fender air scoops with flush
formed fitted flare rear skirts. All doors, hood, trunk corners
were rounded. Interior was stitched in tuck and rolled naugahyde
with two tone colors.
Dash had multi colored hand made plastic knobs. Matching paint
color was blended into dash and chrome garnish moldings were
reinstalled. Dual traditional appelton spotlights came through
posts. Finished with 30 coats of hand rubbed high luster nitro
lacquer paint in foam green and organic toners.