1940 Mercury Custom Coupe
by Rick Dore
This stunning creation of famous custom car builder Rick
Dore (TV shows – Lords of the Car Hoards and Rusted Development),
is one of the finest custom cars you can find!
Under the hood
is a lusty, 327 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 with an estimated 300
horsepower linked to a fresh 400 overdrive transmission. Originally
owned by racecar driver and speed shop owner Johnny Loper, the Merc
has a Posi traction rear end, suspension by drop axle in front and
four-wheel drum brakes. With air bags at the rear, she will go as
low as you can go, and turn heads wherever you go.
Premier custom craftsman Rick Dore, of Glendale, Arizona, has been
elected to four Custom Car Halls of Fame and has won countless
awards. Dore subtly elaborates on classic themes, enhancing them
with his own blend of past and future. With the hindsight of
history, and his own inspired vision, Rick Dore has created a
tribute to the past that is totally contemporary.
The roof is chopped by taking four inches in front and six inches
in the rear, the entire roof was reshaped, creating a smooth
rearward sweep. In front the windshield’s height has elevated one
inch and the crown of the roof trimmed to eliminate the “lowered
eyeshade appearance.” It’s perfect. The side spear was re-sculpted
and seductively shortened for a cleaner profile. The front and rear
fenders have been blended into the body and the running boards were
trimmed, and the skirts are flush-fitted, with discrete lower edge
flares. The hood ornament and the handles were
shaved. The bodywork is all metal, as you’d expect
on a Rick Dore custom.
Inside, the
inviting front bucket and rear bench seats were trimmed in soft
Italian white pearl leather, complemented by a console with door
panels built with spears to accented and match the exterior
expertly done by Bob Divine of Divine Custom Interiors in Martinez
California. Bob’s custom interior work has appeared in Hot Rodder
magazine numerous times.
The gleaming, incredible lustrous iridescent
metallic blue green paint is unmistakably the work
of Art Himsl. Art’s custom paint work has been featured in: Rolling
Stone, Rods & Customs (3 times), Street Rodder, Auto Graphics,
Street Rod Builder as well as a permanent display of his graphics
at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Art Himsl has been inducted
into five halls of Fames, honoring his outstanding
work.
This custom Mercury is an absolute show stopper that attracts a crowd wherever it appears! It is sure, to win prizes if shown!