1951 Hirohata Mercury by Barris Kustoms

[THarrison351]

For some this is a Holy Grail of diecast. It sort of was for me. The first time I saw one I thought how remarkable it was they were able to create so many fine details in a production model. From the movable vent windows and spot lights to the tiny frame rollers at the back to prevent the bumper from scraping, it's amazing. One other detail you'll notice if you handle one is the way the doors open. They pull back and hinge, a two step operation. The doors fit incredibly tight. I've watched these for several years on eBay thinking I'll probably never own one because they're too expensive. Rarely are any damaged, and even those go for a pretty good price. I think I did well considering there's nothing wrong with this one and I have the box. My true Holy Grail car would be the 1934 Ford "The California Kid". Those go for even more money. I've seen in the sold history of eBay a dirty damaged one go for $85 buy it now, but I missed it.

This is an excellent link for the history of the Hirohata Mercury. Hirohata's 1951 Mercury This is a great review with better pictures than mine on the Danbury Mint model of the Mercury. Danbury Mint Hirohata Mercury

Skirts are removable

Tiny frame rollers that move

Vent window and spot light

[Tom Geiger]

The last issue Danbury cars are the only mint cars that command a decent dollar. The next one up was to be the Hollingsworth 57 Nomad, but the program was cut short with the Chinese vendor going belly up. I was seriously looking forward to that one!

Note that the genius behind these were our very own Doug Whyte and Rick Hanmore.

[slusher]

Very sharp diecast..

[randyc]

This is such a sweet model.  I didn't know of the Rick Hanmore/Doug Whyte connection.   Danbury Mint really seemed to go all out on this one.  When this model first came out, I wanted it but couldn't afford the $124 asking price.  I paid a little more than that for mine a couple years ago.  But as Tim said, holy grail.   If I could only have ONE model, this would be it.    My favorite real car and model of all time.   I love it's history.  How by 1959, it was just another old used car.   I wasn't around then, but I'm sure $500 was a pretty big swing on a used car?    I do wish there were som ebetter photos.  I'd like to see the avocado green version, just to see it.  There is really no other combination that looks as good as the original.  But Bob Hirohata kept messing with it over the years.   And driving it. 

THanks for posting Tim.  

[ewetwo]

That is stunning.