Classic Mercury cars

• The Mercury "winged messenger" was originally used by the Kissel Motor Car Company, from which Henry Ford requested and obtained permission to use in the late 1930's
  
  
• Edsel Ford is generally credited with developing the Mercury line, much to father Henry's lament
  
  
• A unique option for the 1955 Mercury was the "Multi-Luber", which was a vacuum operated lubrication system operated by the driver by pushing a button on the dash to apply grease to 11 points on the chassis
  
  
• The "Seat-O-Matic" was offered on the 1957 Turnpike Cruiser, a power front seat with 49 possible positions

• Edsel Ford is given credit for selecting the "Mercury" name, which represents the Roman God of commerce and gain
  
  
• Over 100 final name possibilities included: "The Archer", "The Dearborn", "Comet", "Courier", "Explorer", "Falcon", "Dart", "Horizon", "Eagle", "Gazelle", "Panther", "Quicksilver" and the "Winged Victory".....

“Motor Trend” magazine recognized Sam Barris on the cover in December 1951 for his first chopped Mercury, a 1948 model.

Sam and brother George Barris revolutionized the street rod scene, creating some of the most beautiful “kustom kars” ever seen, and established the “lead sled” look which has survived for over 50 years..

Sam Barris was one of the founding fathers of the custom car industry in California in the early Fifties, his designs and workmanship led the way to many unique customs including a 1951 Merc called the “Hirochata”.

Together with his brother George, they formed one of the most respected kustom shops in the world, called “Barris Kustom.”

Sam Barris died of cancer at the untimely age of 43. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of his father’s first chopped Merc, his son John set out to build another 1951 Mercury which was named “The Rose.”

Family, friends and members of the automotive custom car industry were called on to donate time, labor and parts to build the car. The final product is a gorgeous, one of a kind piece of automotive art that features the custom style of his father, utilizing advanced materials, concepts, and technology of today.

“The Rose” was auctioned off in June 2003, by Kruse International in Las Vegas, Nevada. The car brought a winning bid of $150,000 which was donated to further the research for children’s cancer.

Additional information on this project can be found at www.barris.com

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