HOT ROD repeatedly linked the custom vehicle mania to Mercurys from 1949 to 1951. The legendary vehicle customizer Dick Dean, who created 300–400 unique Mercs, best illustrates our idea. Mecum Auctions will offer two Dick Dean-built 1951 Mercurys in Monterey, California, from August 17 to 20. Since the late 1980s, the same person has owned both cars. (Mecum Auctions Lot F140 and F141 profiles.) Noel Blanc and his father, Mel Blanc, were Hollywood voice actors. Mel Blanc created the sounds for Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and other Warner Bros. cartoons. They both liked vehicles. Many Ferraris were in their collection, but Noel preferred these two modified ’51 Mercedes. How Did Dick Dean Act? Dick Dean, the Barris brothers, Gene Winfield, Dean Jeffries, Larry Watson, and other legendary car builders would be on Mount Rushmore for vehicle builders. The trip started around Detroit for Dean. George Barris offered him a job in 1959 after seeing his 1948 Mercury at the Detroit Autorama. He moved to LA. Dean built 40 or 50 automobiles in Barris’ shop, including the “Ala Kart” and “Golden Sahara.” Working with Dean Jeffries, who conducted exceptional work. He eventually opened a business in San Jacinto, California. His Mercs undoubtedly garnered the most notice. Dean died in 2008, but his handmade Mercs and other works continue. Flames to The 1988 flamed Mercury (Lot F140) was purchased. Dick Dean had arrived recently. Merc modifications include shaved body panels, frenched headlights, a 1954 DeSoto grille with teeth, fender skirts, a 1950 Mercury rear window, Cadillac hubcaps, and whitewall tires. Current comforts include power windows, steering, and disc brakes. Dick Dean used air suspension elements from a 1978 Oldsmobile chassis to give the car a low stance. Merc improvements exhibit an outlaw personality with leather-jacket black paint, flames, and a flawless top-chop (4 inches in front, 5 inches in back). Stability in Bow Ties Vintage customs often looked the same under the hood, but this Merc’s firewall and inner fenders stand apart. The flathead engine was replaced with a Chevrolet 396 big-block engine with a four-barrel carburetor and a balanced Edelbrock manifold made from a blueprint. MSD electrical ignition powers the 396. A Turbo 400 automatic powers a limited-slip rear axle. Inside position Inside, the Merc is significantly different from the outside but fits the customised design. The tomato-red tuck-and-roll fabric on the Oldsmobile front seats and the 1964 Thunderbird curved back chairs complement the handmade door panels. An aluminium instrument panel was added to the pinstriped dashboard. VDO gauges face the tilt column-mounted four-spoke steering wheel. The air conditioner keeps the area chilly, but Keith Collins’ flamed carpet adds visual heat. The trunk and decklid bottom are as good as the inside. Pearls and gold are gems. Noel Blanc got his second 1951 Merc custom (Lot F141) a few months after his father, Mel Blanc, died in 1989. The Grand National Roadster Show awarded it Outstanding Radical Custom the following year. Noel was amazed by how much the pearl-white and gold roadster, a converted post car, resembled his favourite custom, the Hirohata Merc, at an Orange County auto show. Inspired by Hirohata He said, “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.” “I’d seen pictures of the Hirohata Merc for years, and now this pearl-white version with Buick side trim looked exactly like it—except for the grille.” When I learned Dick Dean manufactured it, like the car that caught fire, I called him to buy it. Dean sold it to him the following week after adding “Blanc’s Buggy” to the door sill plates for the character. The pearl Mercedes sports a 4.12-inch Dick Dean chop, a DeSoto grille (with handmade end pieces), frenched headlights, and fender skirts like its flamed twin. It had two headlights, 1954 tail light lenses, and Hirohata-style back quarters with side scoops. The 1977 Old’s 88 frame on which the body was made rides low due to the upgraded air suspension. 455 Body Slim The metal Oldsmobile 455 engine features an Edelbrock intake and Holley carburetor. The 455 engine and Turbo 350 automatic gearbox are coupled. An electrical spark plug and metal radiator keep the engine cool. Great interior idea This time, the inner and outside colours blend. A central bench runs from front to back between the T-bird’s gold and white cloth bucket seats. The instrument panel comprises VDO gauges and a Grant banjo wheel on the slanted steering column. The radio/cassette sound system with tuning and air conditioning is period-appropriate. Keith Collins started carpet fires more gently than the black Merc. The wonderfully ornamented trunk houses famous rabbits who played Noel and Mel Blanc’s sounds. Look for them at Mecum. Noel claims these two 1951 Mercs customs are in good condition and have few kilometres. The tires and paint Dick Dean put on them when he built them remain. When they cross the Monterey stage on Friday, you may win bids. The upcoming Mecum Auction will air on MotorTrend TV and MotorTrend+ (see below).
