If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I’m once again working on the long neglected ’59 T’Bird. Part of the inspiration for the re-build came from a Rod & Custom Magazine “Sketchpad”, wherein automotive artist Keith Blacks rendering of a Square-Bird inspired by the Hirohata Merc was featured a couple of years ago. I’m not copying the car, but several features of that rendering have found their way onto my ‘Bird.
Today, I had the thrill of seeing THE Hirohata Merc, the inspiration for that artwork, at the Gilmore Car Museum in my own backyard. Not only did it inspire the rendering that inspired me, but it also inspired me to invest, several years ago, in a ceramic model of the car from the Peterson Museum, one of only 100 produced. The little care graces an end table in our living room.
Funny, isn’t it, how things seem to work out? Here are some photos of the real Merc, which inspired the artwork that inspired me.
THE definitive custom car.
Eric Blacks artwork
Maybe the bumpers should be chromed…
For some reason last night I couldn’t load the images of Eric’s Thunderbird version of the Hiroata car. Got ’em now though, so you can see how the two totally different cars get get wildly customized, but keep their identity. And keep inspiring guys like me.
Brian
Cool McCool's Garage 
Is this the Walker clone or the original Hirahata. The color is a lighter shade so I would think this is the Walker clone. Fabulous iconic dwsign.
I think it’s the clone, only because the plaque inside lists someone other than Curt McCormick, who I think still owns the original. Dennis Lesky (the museums guest curator for the American Legends display) was around, but I didn’t have a chance to ask him which car it was. Either way, it’s a masterpiece.
I love your posts, I had a 55 and a 56 TBird but always thought the square ones were cool also. Now I love my 67 Scotty named Snippy! Thanks, Brian!