Hirohata Merc

[Phildaupho]

 

[Phildaupho]

THE DETAILS

BODY

- T&T Resin curbside kit from the 1990’s. Body was left removable to display the interior and engine

- Windshield and side glass areas were enlarged

- Windshield from Revell ’49 Merc and is V-butted like real car

- Rear window is vacuumed the formed piece that came with the T&T kit and was difficult to fit

- The vent windows and headlight lenses from Revell ’49 Merc

- Windshield wipers from Revell ’49 Merc Custom

- Spotlights from AMT ’49 Merc

- The resin teeth on the rear fender are chrome plastic pieces.

- Below the driver’s side vent window is a decal of the brass The Hawaiian badge that covered the holes for the removed side view mirror

ROLLING CHASSIS

- Revell ’49 Merc Custom with engine compartment area removed

- Sombrero hubcaps with crests came with T&T kit. Rear wheels from AMT ’49 Ford

ENGINE

- Cadillac engine from Revell ’49 Merc Custom

- Converted back to standard transmission like the real car was. Transmission is from AMT ’49 Ford kit optional Cadillac engine

- Carburettors from Revell Tweedy Pie with scoops reversed

- Valve covers from AMT ’59 El Camino

- Oil filter from AMT ’49 Ford

INTERIOR

- From Revell ’49 Merc Custom with upholstery modified to more closely resemble the real car with extra trim on the door panels, the pleated area on seats reshaped, the front seat split cut open.

- The ’51 dash is a super nice kit mastered by custom car historian and great car modeller Rik Hoving and cast by Replicas & Miniatures as are the armrests and door handles

- Pinstriping decal on glovebox from original done by Von Dutch

- Dash and shift knobs on real car were laminated plastic turned on a lathe by Bob Hirohata

- Rear package shelf from AMT ’49 Mercury covered with grooved Evergreen to simulate tuck & roll as is drivers side floor mat

- Clutch pedal added

- Steering wheel from Revell ’49 Merc modified with bullet centre

PAINT

- Mr.Color lacquer air brushed. Sea foam green is white tinted with green. Metallic green darkened with black

- Clear coated with Mr. Hobby Mr. Super Clear RV Cut Gloss from the spray can

 

I have to thank the person who mastered the body and parts for this model. All things considered; they did a great job duplicating the unique features of the Hirohata Merc which I would have found very difficult to do myself.

 

For more about the Hirohata merc check out the great video Hirohata Merc: Custom Legend - Full Documentary on Classic Cars - YouTube

 

[Zippi]

That is one slick looking Merc.  Love the green and black combo.  Nice work. 

[carbuilder1950]

This is such an Iconic car from the past, and you sure did it justice.

Thanks for all the hard work and sharing it with us ?.

[JollySipper]

That's really cool..... it looks just like it!

[bigdrag1]

Great looking build !!

 

[cobraman]

Nicely done.

[Koellefornia Kid]

Wow Phil, that is amazing! ? Imo, the Hirohata Merc is one of the greatest customs ever made and you nailed it!

This is a build that´s still aread of me. I have a Flintstone resin body for years now and some amt Mercs for parts waiting to get started... well, someday...

[Phildaupho]

7 hours ago, Zippi said:

That is one slick looking Merc.  Love the green and black combo.  Nice work. 

Thanks Bob - Actually what looks black is very dark green

7 hours ago, carbuilder1950 said:

This is such an Iconic car from the past, and you sure did it justice.

Thanks for all the hard work and sharing it with us ?.

Thanks David

6 hours ago, JollySipper said:

That's really cool..... it looks just like it!

Thanks TJ

6 hours ago, bigdrag1 said:

Great looking build !!

 

Thanks John

6 hours ago, cobraman said:

Nicely done.

Thanks Ray

5 hours ago, Koellefornia Kid said:

Wow Phil, that is amazing! ? Imo, the Hirohata Merc is one of the greatest customs ever made and you nailed it!

This is a build that´s still aread of me. I have a Flintstone resin body for years now and some amt Mercs for parts waiting to get started... well, someday...

Thanks Oliver. I recommend you try to get a Revell Custom Merc kit for the chassis and interior. It took me over twenty years to get mine built so keep it on your to do list.

[Kah puts]

Woo, nizze, me like.

[Doug 1061]

You did that kit justice.  Beautiful work there.

[Phildaupho]

11 hours ago, Kah puts said:

Woo, nizze, me like.

 

11 hours ago, Doug 1061 said:

You did that kit justice.  Beautiful work there.

Thanks Guys - Here is another photo of the car taken in the sunshine

[thatz4u]

looks like the real one....

[espo]

Beautiful rendition of a very special Kustom. 

[m3fan]

Well Done Phil!

Glad you got the finish you were after. Car looks great!

Look forward to seeing in person hopefully soon

[Phildaupho]

3 hours ago, thatz4u said:

looks like the real one....

Thanks Al That's what I was hoping for

3 hours ago, espo said:

Beautiful rendition of a very special Kustom. 

Thanks David - The real thing is definitely a piece of history

2 hours ago, m3fan said:

Well Done Phil!

Glad you got the finish you were after. Car looks great!

Look forward to seeing in person hopefully soon

Thanks Russ - I am really impressed with Mr. Color paints and Mr. Hobby products from the venerable Gunze Sangyo company.

[Brudda]

Beautiful, very Beautiful 

[Bainford]

Nailed it! It’s absolutely stunning. You sweated the details and it shows. A beautiful model of a beautiful car. 

[Phildaupho]

14 hours ago, Brudda said:

Beautiful, very Beautiful 

Thanks Bruce - glad you like it

12 hours ago, Bainford said:

Nailed it! It’s absolutely stunning. You sweated the details and it shows. A beautiful model of a beautiful car. 

Thanks Trevor - I appreciate your compliments

[Tom99]

Nice!!

[David G.]

An absolutely beautiful rendition of probably the most classic of classic customs.

David G.

[Phildaupho]

3 hours ago, Tom99 said:

Nice!!

Thanks Tom

3 hours ago, David G. said:

An absolutely beautiful rendition of probably the most classic of classic customs.

David G.

Thanks David - I have heard the car is for sale. I hope it is purchased by a museum where it can be preserved for the future.

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[Phildaupho]

15 hours ago, PappyD340 said:

Very nice!

Thanks Larry

[carrucha]

Cool replica.  Well built and finished.  Good job!