Nick Rogers’ radical 1951 Mercury custom – a throwback to the lead sleds of the 1950s (spawned by James Dean’s silver screen hit “Rebel Without a Cause”), made some waves while making the car show rounds this spring. Rogers’ sleek candy blue Merc beat out a stellar national field of customs in winning the Goodguys 2013 Mother’s Custom of the Year, collecting its second major award this spring. The car also won the coveted Custom d’Elegance crown at February’s Sacramento AutoRama.
Finished and produced for the show season by Bill Ganahl’s South City Rod & Custom based in South San Francisco, Rogers’ Merc started with humble beginnings. “I wanted a thirty thousand dollar flat black Merc custom,” he said…”That’s how this car started out. But once things got rolling and I began to dream, the project took on a life of its own. I’ve never really done things half speed so it’s not too surprising we went all in. We saw the possibilities of what it could be and Bill was the man to take it there” said Rogers, a financial advisor on the San Francisco peninsula.
Ganahl, a second generation hot rodder, spent many years as an apprentice working long hours at Roy Brizio Street Rods, honing his craft. He was introduced to traditional hot rods & customs at a very young age growing up in Southern California. His daily driver to and from Brizio’s shop all those years was a ’50 Ford sled. Indeed, it’s as if he was born to finish THIS car. He’d be the first to admit however, he had a lot of help along the way.
Upon first glance, the Merc’s perfect, radical 4-inch chop grabs you and won’t let go. The top, forward-slanted B-pillars and the addition of a ’50 Merc rear window (among other subtle cosmetic enhancements) were artistically executed by Matt Townsend (Townsend Customs & Hot Rods). The addition of an evil ’53 DeSoto grille,’49 Merc dash and ’55 Ford side trim only enhanced the Merc’s curb appeal. Late one night browsing eBay Motors, Rogers found some Packard spears he had to have. Once molded in and massaged with the ’55 Ford trim, they look as though they’re OEM equipment. The rich, mile-deep candy blue House of Kolor paint was sprayed by Joe Compani.
The engine bay, long ignored by most custom stylists is just as beautiful as the car’s sleek exterior. The hand-fabricated engine compartment panels house the painted and lettered “Chevrolac” (Chevy small block with custom made Caddy valve covers snagged off eBay Motors). Underneath it all is a full Art Morrison chassis. And get this – it drives just as well as it looks, requiring nothing more than a “pinky on the steering wheel” according to Ganahl. He should know – he DROVE the Merc to all its winter and spring show stops! We’re guessing the rides back home were sweet with the nation’s most elite custom car trophy’s riding shotgun!
When reflecting after a successful show season so far, Ganahl summed up the project simply, saying “A lot of talented people had a hand in building this car. In the end, we tried to build a classy, subtle Merc custom that didn’t have flaws. One that could be driven long distances. That became the ultimate focus of this car.”
As for the car’s plans? “Oh I’ve got big plans for the car,” said owner Nick Rogers. “I plan on loading up the family, and cruising the El Camino to go get ice cream.”
If you dig customs, hot rods, muscle cars and tricked out late model show cars, you might consider heading out the Alameda County Fairgrounds June 1 & 2 for the Goodguys 20th Summer Get-Together presented by Specialty Sales Classics. Over 2,500 cars are expected along with vendor exhibits, automotive swap meet, cars for sale corral, live music and more.
About Goodguys:
Based in Pleasanton, CA – Goodguys Rod & Custom Association promotes and produces the world’s most dynamic automotive events. Founded by lifelong hot rodder Gary Meadors in 1983, Goodguys is the world’s largest hot rodding association with over 70,000 active members worldwide. Goodguys events feature thousands of hot rods and customs, tricked out trucks, mighty muscle cars and classics sprawled throughout venues such as lush fairgrounds, super speedways and large outdoor stadiums. The cars, vendor exhibits, the Goodguys AutoCross, live entertainment and colorful people create a festive atmosphere charged with electricity. In 2013, Goodguys celebrates its 30th Anniversary staging 19 events across America. Goodguys events range from two-day affairs attended by 30,000 to 40,000 people to three day extravaganza’s attracting over 100,000 auto enthusiasts. In addition to events Goodguys publishes the award winning Goodguys Gazette – a 250-page all-color monthly tabloid size magazine. For more, visit www.good-guys.com. To find us on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/goodguysrodandcustom
About the Author:
John Drummond, a Bay Area native and resident, serves as Communications Director for the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. A 23-year veteran of the Goodguys team, Drummond has seen it all in the realm of modified American muscle and hot rods. Prior to his current position of Communications czar for all things Goodguys, he served as Editor of the monthly Goodguys Gazette Magazine. Over the last few decades, Drummond has contributed content and feature articles for various performance automotive industry magazines, books and television shows. His first hot rod was a lowered 1957 Plymouth Belvedere. He’s a member of the National Auto Sport Association as well as an avid Mercedes Benz enthusiast, having owned and modded several AMG cars in his spare time.
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Based in Pleasanton, California the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association promotes and produces some of the world’s most dynamic automotive events. Founded by lifelong hot rodder Gary Meadors in 1983, Goodguys is the world’s largest hot rodding association with over 70,000 active members worldwide. |
See AUTO DN Xenon Light Bulbs for Mercury Custom for sale on eBay.
