HIROHATA MERCURY

[Phildaupho]

The Hirohata Merc is going to be auctioned Saturday January 15, 2022. Check out 73 photos of what the car looks like now. It is going to be interesting to find out how much it goes for and where it ends up. I am going to record the auction coverage. It is on Discovery/Velocity in Canada and Motor Trend in USA. The auction can be also be viewed on-line. All cars being auctioned have a great set of photos which can be very helpful for model car builders.

1951 Hirohata Mercury Custom | S152 | Kissimmee 2022 (mecum.com)

[Bernard Kron]

Thanks for the link. The photos show that the car is, at this point, in as highly evolved, 50's-specific, a state of restoration as could ever be hoped for. The estimate of 1-1.25 million USD is extremely strong money for a rod or custom, regardless of provenance, historical significance or state of restoration. But this car certainly checks all the boxes in that regard! It will be interesting to see what it pulls down. Rods and customs can be "soft" in what they command and can surprise to the downside.* If it clears the estimate handsomely it will show that the rod & custom world is (at last) sharing in the current asset bubble. This car is a part of a surprisingly small number of cars that can do it!

*It should be noted that most purely custom built one-offs, regardless of style, perhaps because they should not be transported or driven with any frequency since they are irreplaceable, tend to under-perform small production models (i.e even limited productions racing cars, sports cars and classics). Another factor which may contribute to this under-performance may be that they are often unknown to the majority of the less-well-informed-but-wealthy buying public. Surely a car like the Hirohata should command more than a current limited-series produced modern super car, but I doubt it will.

[Ace-Garageguy]

For those who may not know, this is the car:

[espo]

The restoration of this car has been covered in a few magazines. Since the Monterey Concours has invited iconic Hot Rods and Kustoms to appear in the Concours they are finally being recognized for what they are and the history that goes with so many of them. The background on many of these cars are just as interesting and sometimes even more intriguing than the Classics shown on the grass at Monterey. 

[ChrisBcritter]

The H.A.M.B. has an informal betting pool going on the final price -  winner gets a T-shirt.

I've put in for $1.325 million. Anyone else want to guess the top bid?

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-hirohata-mercury-price-take-a-guess-and-win-a-prize.1245254/

Edited January 9, 2022 by ChrisBcritter

[1930fordpickup]

Buying this car is like buying Art. Some like it some of don't. But if enough like it, this price goes up.  Strange how many auto's have become  to valuable to do what they were created for. 

[stitchdup]

While this car has lots of provenence I just dont see it breaking the million. Until it was displayed in dc a lot of people didn't really know what it was other than a nice looking custom. Its not been the star of a movie or had so many where is it programs like the bullit mustang. I think it will stall out around 750-800k but I'm no expert

[espo]

As my mother once said, "You can tell the men from the boys by the size of their toys". I guess this would apply to how heavy your wallet is as well. 

[Phildaupho]

Check out this YouTube video in which Chasing Classic Cars' Wayne Carini who is representing the car at the Mecum Auction gives a great walk around of the Hirohata Mercury  

 

[webestang]

Just read an article on the car in Old Cars Weekly. It's had an interesting history.

 

Article.....  https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/car-of-the-week-the-hirohata-merc

[4mula1fan]

A buddy of mine has had many run ins with Carini. His opinion of him is less than stellar...

[Phildaupho]

A very attractive 1951 Merc traditional custom [pictured below] failed to reach reserve today with a high bid of $65000. It is a more recent custom and of course does not have the provenance of the Hirohata. The Hirohata was for sale privately for many months represented by Wayne Carini who I am sure approached all the likely buyers. At the auction on Saturday the Hirohata will have a reserve so it may not sell. If it does sell at or above the reserve, it will be big money. That being said, the family does want to sell the car. Wayne Carini is a wise and realistic man when it comes to car values so the reserve must be  an amount he feels is achievable with a hope of exceeding. I am guessing the reserve is between $500,00 and $750,000. It is going to be fascinating to see what happens.

[Can-Con]

On 1/10/2022 at 7:20 AM, stitchdup said:

While this car has lots of provenence I just dont see it breaking the million. Until it was displayed in dc a lot of people didn't really know what it was other than a nice looking custom. Its not been the star of a movie or had so many where is it programs like the bullit mustang. I think it will stall out around 750-800k but I'm no expert

Actually, it was in the Mamie Van Doren movie "Running Wild" in '55, not too long after it was built ,, but no one would ever remember that now.

[Phildaupho]

I just watched the Hirohata sell. The bidding started at 400000. The reserve was 1000000 and it sold at 1950000 !!

[Phildaupho]

The auction sale price with buyers commission $2,145,000 !!

[iBorg]

I'm glad there were bidders who respect the art of this car.

[Brian Austin]

On 1/13/2022 at 1:51 PM, 4mula1fan said:

A buddy of mine has had many run ins with Carini. His opinion of him is less than stellar...

I didn't attempt to speak with him, but I did literally cross paths with him on the grounds of a concours event in Newport, RI a decade ago or more.   ?

[1930fordpickup]

It was reported that this Merc will be at the Detroit Auto Rama.  I guess it will be making the rounds on the show scene again.

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 1/15/2022 at 6:35 PM, iBorg said:

I'm glad there were bidders who respect the art of this car.

Agreed. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 1/13/2022 at 9:13 PM, Can-Con said:

Actually, it was in the Mamie Van Doren movie "Running Wild" in '55, not too long after it was built, but no one would ever remember that now.

Some of us old geezers do.

The Hirohata Merc appears at 3:21, to the LH side of the screen, after a chopped convertible Merc (that some interdwerb expert in the comments incorrectly identifies as the Hirohata car).

It appears again at 21:15, maybe more.

Muddy, squirming upload available free on glorious YouTube here:

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[misternemo]

Nice. thank you for posting this!! the chopped convert is the Fred Rowe Merc. another beautiful car!!

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, misternemo said:

Nice. thank you for posting this!! the chopped convert is the Fred Rowe Merc. another beautiful car!!

Both the custom Mercs from the movie:

Edited January 21, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[espo]

I always liked the looks of the "Carson" style tops from the '50's. 

[showrods]

Has anyone on this board converted say the Revell '49 Mercury into the Hirohata?  There are certainly enough talented engineers/designers/fabricators here to do it...

[JollySipper]

Here's one that "Phildaupho" built from a resin body......

 

Anyone know who bought this most famous custom icon Merc? I hope it gets to see sunshine some and not be held up in some collection....