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.