Good job explaining all the detail and craftsmanship that went into building this beautiful car Mr. Carini. I've been a fan of Chasing Classic Cars for many years. The level of detail with this true Custom Merc is astounding!!! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful car.
Very happy to see the legend present this to us:).. There are too many fakes and toxic people in the car community these days, Wayne has always been a true car guy and one of the people that made me so interested in them👍:)....
Amazing car that I would have missed many points of interest on if not for Wayne's knowledge.. thanks....every video Wayne does I enjoy the hell out of.....a true legend!
Wayne is a awesome man got to take a picture with him at Car week in Monterey! I respect the celebrity’s that are cool like that to put a smile or make someones day like me as a fan of his enjoying cars & motorcycles. Thank you Wayne, Homer car week coming in a few weeks getting ready live in the area. ☝🏽❤️
Absolute royalty there. I got to see it in person at the Peterson Museum a few years ago. What a treat. It was sitting next to Cadzilla!!! My head exploded. But I cleaned it up. Great day.
This car was customized when my father was 2-3 years old! I fell in love with this car in the early 80’s when the car was “known to exist”. Absolute icon.
This is great! It makes me think of cars of old such as the original Batmobile, the Monkey's had their hot rod, and then there is the Munsters hot rods. There are many more but this car is certainly in a class of its own.
Love the tail light idea, it could have used a chrome trim around it though. great to have Wayne Carini's energy & attention to detail. I would need a sheet to explain all those design/history details.
THEY REALLY WENT FOR IT IN A BIG WAY WHEN THEY USED THE LINCOLN AND BUICK PARTS THAT WERE NEW AT THE TIME AND THOSE MERCURYS HAD A BEAUTIFUL DASH !....////
Wayne C is "so wrong" about the "misty green" being an unusual paint color for the " early 1950's". That color was available for every major car produced in that era. I have been collecting cars-trucks painted that "misty green" color and they are readily available.
Making a living doing this type of work can be difficult, you have to be very good and have clients that can afford to cover the cost of it all. It is very,very expensive to built a car like that.Finding clients with deep pockets is key.
I have to give it to him he has an eye for detail with shape of light and exhaust coming from the bumper just like the 56 and 57 mark 5 by ford. I agree with him on the cars today are made on computers. That is why cars in the old days were unique and amazing design way ahead of there time. Gorgeous . today cars are really boring
Well I am compelled now to throw my two cent’s in! Their were a total of the top 5 MERCS that were given the treatment that became the best MERC’S ever done and I will say it now its my humble opinion! First and foremost the first MERC a 1949 was done by SAM BARRIS which was a success and that is what kicked off the MERCURY trend.The 1949 was the first new body style that changed from all previous styles from the earlier 1940’s styling.When the new style came out it had the perfect lines and SAM nailed it. But I have to say that the best MERC ever done and rated as the best and cleanest,smoothest chop ever done was by GIL AYALA’S body shop a 1949 owned by a fella MR. LOUIS BETTENCOURT back before 1952 later Louis went to the BARRIS KUSTOM SHOP to have finishing touch ups and detailing and paint. George started out with full fadeaway’s on the fenders came up with a new grill made up of multiple parts from different cars and other detailing custom work then finished it off with 25 Coates of Tingeia Maroon lacquer paint the car was rated as the best merc ever done and the last that I saw and know unfortunately was the car was sitting in some back lot rusting away and no idea where ,SAD the next merc wich was also chopped by GIL AYALA was a 1950 owned by BUDDY ALCORN AGAIN FLAWLESS it also after wards went to the BARRIS BROS. for a upgrade restyling,then their was the 1951 HIROHATA MERC,and then DON BUGARIN’S 1951 merc done also by the BARRIS BROS. THOSE ARE THE TOP 5 MERCS that were simply outstanding yes their were many others but those 5 were simply the best starting in order 1 LOUIS BENTTENCOURTS 49,2 BUDDY ALCORNS 50,3 BOB HIROHATA’S 51,4 DAVE BUGARINS 51,AND 5 SAM BARRIS’S 49 Now I know their will be some protest to my opinion but that just it my opinion. As far as the best MERC ever done was the LOIS BENTTENCOURT’S 1949 AND THAT IS FACTUAL as was posted in an article years ago. Where is that famous RADICAL MERC TODAY WHO KNOWS!!!!! THE OTHER 4 MERCS ARE ALIVE AND WELL BY PROUD owners OF THESE GREAT CARS AND THEY LIVE ON TO THIS PRESENT DAY.
Watch the video from Hagerty's Historic Vehicle series on this car. It is a comprehensive history of the vehicle as well as the wishes and dreams of the family who owned it for so many years. Beware, you made need a tissue or two.
Now explain how the people who restored the car eliminated all the hackery Barris did! The gaps, the paint, the ripples in the sheet metal have been fixed!
LOL are you kidding me the front of that hood is in no way lead, and there’s no reason to think that it is. It was pounded out sheet metal and maybe it was leaded in areas. Those hoods are heavy in and of themselves with out a big chunk of lead going across the entire front of it.
I will never understand why they display cars, particularly custom exotica like this one, with the hood up. Yes, it's nice to see the engine bay, but I would much rather have seen this beauty the way it was meant to be viewed, in all its splendor, as if rolling down the road.
Its at auction. Not a car show. Will be sold this weekend. Expectations of 1.25 million dollars, but we shall see what the final hammer says. Fun stuff !!!
IMHO, stylistically, a lot of the Barris cars were crap. "Change solely for the sake of change" I know hat's what guys wanted, and what it took to win shows. But very few...maybe a few out of every hundred...actually saw their lines improved by customizing. The Hirohata Merc was one of the exceptions. One of the most amazing things about this car is that as far as I know, the look was achieved without the use of a professional stylist. I.E., someone who knew what to change, and what to leave alone. I hope the sale will leave the McNeill family well-off for some time to come.
Almost every fact he gives is wrong Conway did not paint this car the first time and Bob Made the knobs and sold to Cal customs and the windshield is layed back and the rear window layed forward stick to sports cars Lol
And you can't see a seam! Ha ha it's amusing how common quality becomes something special when a car like this is being explained by some fanboy. 7 inches off the back, 7! Not 6.8, 7! Without CAD! Parts off of other cars! The lines follow around the car! They used lead! What horseshit. This thing is a quirky piece of oddball culture that built on poor taste and lack of sense. The front end looks like the mouth of an old man with no teeth.
Very nice restoration of a very historical car, that is a ton of man-hours right there. Thank you for making this video.
You see a whole life here. ua-cam.com/video/dd5GfqfKnrg/v-deo.html
Wayne- Thank you for that walk around. Your car passion is contagious.
Good job explaining all the detail and craftsmanship that went into building this beautiful car Mr. Carini. I've been a fan of Chasing Classic Cars for many years. The level of detail with this true Custom Merc is astounding!!! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful car.
Stunning old hot rod, built by the best in that time period
Sold for $1,950,000... what an amazing car and history. This car made me a Merc maniac since I was 15 years old!
Very happy to see the legend present this to us:).. There are too many fakes and toxic people in the car community these days, Wayne has always been a true car guy and one of the people that made me so interested in them👍:)....
Amazing car that I would have missed many points of interest on if not for Wayne's knowledge.. thanks....every video Wayne does I enjoy the hell out of.....a true legend!
Wayne is a awesome man got to take a picture with him at Car week in Monterey! I respect the celebrity’s that are cool like that to put a smile or make someones day like me as a fan of his enjoying cars & motorcycles. Thank you Wayne, Homer car week coming in a few weeks getting ready live in the area. ☝🏽❤️
Excellent advice Wayne! A big fan of yours for many years.
What an icon ,, a beautiful custom car from 1953,,,still kicking it in 2022..
Bob Hirohata did NOT "have those tear drop dash knobs made" He made them himself !!!!!!
We Love you Wayne, Keep up the good work. Love your TV show.
The car is art
God that guy knows cars, I drive by his shop every day, he has so many interesting cars there, nice job Wayne.
Absolute royalty there. I got to see it in person at the Peterson Museum a few years ago. What a treat. It was sitting next to Cadzilla!!! My head exploded. But I cleaned it up. Great day.
This car was customized when my father was 2-3 years old! I fell in love with this car in the early 80’s when the car was “known to exist”. Absolute icon.
This is great! It makes me think of cars of old such as the original Batmobile, the Monkey's had their hot rod, and then there is the Munsters hot rods.
There are many more but this car is certainly in a class of its own.
Love this presentation. Absolutely stunning. Wayne is bad ass car guy in the industry
Congratulations and best wishes to the new owner of this amazing car.
Incredible talent 👍🏻
great look at a great car thanks Wayne
Love the tail light idea, it could have used a chrome trim around it though. great to have Wayne Carini's energy & attention to detail. I would need a sheet to explain all those design/history details.
THEY REALLY WENT FOR IT IN A BIG WAY WHEN THEY USED THE LINCOLN AND BUICK PARTS THAT WERE NEW AT THE TIME AND THOSE MERCURYS HAD A BEAUTIFUL DASH !....////
👍 always loved this car !
Nicely done Wayne!
Glad David has a mask on. Love this Merc. Wayne sure knows his history.
Such an IMPORTANT CAR!!! GO WAYNE!!!
Wayne C is "so wrong" about the "misty green" being an unusual paint color for the " early 1950's". That color was available for every major car produced in that era.
I have been collecting cars-trucks painted that "misty green" color and they are readily available.
Beautifully done car
Whatever happened to Von Dutch???
Super nice car! Great customization!
Thank you, great presentation.
Making a living doing this type of work can be difficult, you have to be very good and have clients that can afford to cover the cost of it all. It is very,very expensive to built a car like that.Finding clients with deep pockets is key.
I have to give it to him he has an eye for detail with shape of light and exhaust coming from the bumper just like the 56 and 57 mark 5 by ford. I agree with him on the cars today are made on computers. That is why cars in the old days were unique and amazing design way ahead of there time. Gorgeous . today cars are really boring
Well I am compelled now to throw my two cent’s in! Their were a total of the top 5 MERCS that were given the treatment that became the best MERC’S ever done and I will say it now its my humble opinion! First and foremost the first MERC a 1949 was done by SAM BARRIS which was a success and that is what kicked off the MERCURY trend.The 1949 was the first new body style that changed from all previous styles from the earlier 1940’s styling.When the new style came out it had the perfect lines and SAM nailed it. But I have to say that the best MERC ever done and rated as the best and cleanest,smoothest chop ever done was by GIL AYALA’S body shop a 1949 owned by a fella MR. LOUIS BETTENCOURT back before 1952 later Louis went to the BARRIS KUSTOM SHOP to have finishing touch ups and detailing and paint. George started out with full fadeaway’s on the fenders came up with a new grill made up of multiple parts from different cars and other detailing custom work then finished it off with 25 Coates of Tingeia Maroon lacquer paint the car was rated as the best merc ever done and the last that I saw and know unfortunately was the car was sitting in some back lot rusting away and no idea where ,SAD the next merc wich was also chopped by GIL AYALA was a 1950 owned by BUDDY ALCORN AGAIN FLAWLESS it also after wards went to the BARRIS BROS. for a upgrade restyling,then their was the 1951 HIROHATA MERC,and then DON BUGARIN’S 1951 merc done also by the BARRIS BROS. THOSE ARE THE TOP 5 MERCS that were simply outstanding yes their were many others but those 5 were simply the best starting in order 1 LOUIS BENTTENCOURTS 49,2 BUDDY ALCORNS 50,3 BOB HIROHATA’S 51,4 DAVE BUGARINS 51,AND 5 SAM BARRIS’S 49 Now I know their will be some protest to my opinion but that just it my opinion. As far as the best MERC ever done was the LOIS BENTTENCOURT’S 1949 AND THAT IS FACTUAL as was posted in an article years ago. Where is that famous RADICAL MERC TODAY WHO KNOWS!!!!! THE OTHER 4 MERCS ARE ALIVE AND WELL BY PROUD owners OF THESE GREAT CARS AND THEY LIVE ON TO THIS PRESENT DAY.
Wayne was on American Pickers right ? 👍
Wrong
My mistake .
Coffee Walk with Dennis Collins
Great vid................ 👍👍👍
Why isn't this auction on there youtube channel? All the other auction have.
Mamie Van Doren, not Mimi. She lived in Newport Beach.
Educated info, thanks Wayne.
My uncles 49 Ford 2 door with a built 3/4 race cam Ford Flathead ate Caddy's for breakfast lunch and dinner.
Gorgeous !
Watch the video from Hagerty's Historic Vehicle series on this car. It is a comprehensive history of the vehicle as well as the wishes and dreams of the family who owned it for so many years. Beware, you made need a tissue or two.
Hell Ya Wayne, I love it 👍👍👍 Great review !!!
that is a nice sled and story, i would have liked to have seen it with the hood down and from all sides.
Mecum is so lucky to have you Wayne !!!
I don't think so.
For goodness sake. The actress's name is Mamie, not Mimi.
Beautiful car
Now explain how the people who restored the car eliminated all the hackery Barris did! The gaps, the paint, the ripples in the sheet metal have been fixed!
Did it sale?
He should have had a stock 1950s merc next to this so i knew what differences he was talking about
Love this car!❤
Just sold for 1.95 mil......Wayne...your a millionaire with one car...congrats...
I was there and saw it it was pretty sweet
Jim McNeil was a dear friend of mine. Carini doesn't know jack shit about the Hirohata Merc, nor does he care.
Wow wow
I have a 50 chop top Merc
But what that car is
A show stopper
Its a solenoid not a selenoid
Its Mami Van Doren not Mimi
Nice! Thanks
What a car
LOL are you kidding me the front of that hood is in no way lead, and there’s no reason to think that it is. It was pounded out sheet metal and maybe it was leaded in areas. Those hoods are heavy in and of themselves with out a big chunk of lead going across the entire front of it.
He is not working at Mecum.. The best part of his old show was Roger.
331 Hemi Chrysler would kick that 331 Cadillac's ass! So there!
So will the 500 hp. 383 stroker that’s going in my 51
I will never understand why they display cars, particularly custom exotica like this one, with the hood up. Yes, it's nice to see the engine bay, but I would much rather have seen this beauty the way it was meant to be viewed, in all its splendor, as if rolling down the road.
Its at auction. Not a car show. Will be sold this weekend. Expectations of 1.25 million dollars, but we shall see what the final hammer says. Fun stuff !!!
Lets see those forth generation F bodies
Not sure why he kept touching the paint and chrome, fool!
"In THE World?" really? TWICE? !!
Image owning this driving it for the first time and you get T-boned by a smart car tesla ...
IMHO, stylistically, a lot of the Barris cars were crap. "Change solely for the sake of change" I know hat's what guys wanted, and what it took to win shows. But very few...maybe a few out of every hundred...actually saw their lines improved by customizing. The Hirohata Merc was one of the exceptions. One of the most amazing things about this car is that as far as I know, the look was achieved without the use of a professional stylist. I.E., someone who knew what to change, and what to leave alone. I hope the sale will leave the McNeill family well-off for some time to come.
🤔
Guys working on cars don’t make money. The parasites buying and selling takes the profits
A solenoid release on a door?....yeah not so much...thinking about accidents, sorry Mr. Barris you were a legend in your time but stupid idea.
Go home, go sand Iron.
This car is a clone...i checked google !
Vonn Dutch .. would that be VD ,, HA !
Von Dutch would’ve brought some much-needed flavor to the presentation of this car.
Almost every fact he gives is wrong Conway did not paint this car the first time and Bob Made the knobs and sold to Cal customs and the windshield is layed back and the rear window layed forward stick to sports cars Lol
I keep telling myself I would repaint it white
And you can't see a seam! Ha ha it's amusing how common quality becomes something special when a car like this is being explained by some fanboy. 7 inches off the back, 7! Not 6.8, 7! Without CAD! Parts off of other cars! The lines follow around the car! They used lead!
What horseshit. This thing is a quirky piece of oddball culture that built on poor taste and lack of sense. The front end looks like the mouth of an old man with no teeth.
The guy's a con artist and glorified used car salesman.