1940 Ford Convertible Custom - Wayne O'Neal

 

1940 Ford convertible custom

The custom '40 Ford 'vert with a Carson top is reminiscent of custom builds from long ago. Wait, this build did occur back in '53 but sat in a barn until '07. From here the car was rebuilt from the ground up featuring a 4-inch chop, 4-inch section, and the always obligatory Carson top. The stock frame features a 2-1/2-inch drop axle with '48 Ford juice brakes and tube shocks in front and '50 Merc brakes and '48 Ford shocks in back. The wheels are '48 Merc all around with Diamondback rubber. The power is a vintage 283 Chevy V-8 with a Carter carb, 3-speed manual, and a '50 Merc rearend. Inside Stewart-Warner gauges, the choice of back in the day, and today considered vintage provide the driver with plenty of info.

 

 

1949 Mercury Wagon - Awards

 1949 Mercury Wagon - Awards 

Awards While I owned it 

Goodguys 2023 Pleasenton CA - Cool Custom

West Coast Kustom 2023 Santa Maria CA - Gene Windfield  Award Outstanding Custom pick

Custom Capital of the World 2024 Prunedale CA - Best of Show

 

 

 

 

1949 Mercury Wagon - Magazine Features

 

1949 Mercury - Rod and Custom Magazine - May 2028

 

 

 

1949 Mercury - Super Rod Magazine - Sep 2008

 

 

 

 

1949 Mercury - American Rodder Magazine - Jan 2009

 

 

Dave Dolman 1949 Mercury Wagon

 

Dennis Gage and Dave Dolman talking about the Mercury Wagon 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN7PYyLKx9I 

Dear child has many names…

“1949 Phantom Mercury Wagon”

“1949 Mercury Wagon 1-of-1 made”

“1949 Unicorn Mercury Wagon”

“The Holy Grail of Mercury’s” .

5 different cars pieced together

1957 Ford wagon roof 4 inch chop

1956 Ford Ranch wagon side windows

1956 Ford tail lift gate

1956 Merc tail emblem

1952 Mercury taillights

1955 Ford tailgate

1955 Pontiac rear bumper

1959 Impala steering wheel

1976 GM tilt column

1965 Buick Power bench seat

1965 Buick arm rests

1957 Ford wagon rear seat

1950 Mercury dash

1950 Faux Oldsmobile vale covers

1953 Cadillac air cleaner

1979 Monte Carlo front clip

1957 Ford 9” rear end

1950 Mercury front bumper

1950 Mercury hubcaps

1951 Kaiser front bumper guard

1979 GM steering Box

GM Chevy 355ci Year one engine 400hp

700R4 transmission from Author Winger

1950 Oldsmobile faux valve covers

Beige Katzkin leather seats

2.5 inch drop front spindles

Air lift air bags in front

Hi-jackers with air pump in rear

14x6 Wheelsmith chrome rims

205/70-14 front and 255/70-14 rear

Wilwood brakes front and back

Deuce Factor Shocks

1.25” sway bar

8000 hours of work to complete

200 weeks a 40hr

3.8 years a 40hr a week

5 5x10 foot sheet metal

TV - My Classic Cars Nebraska

https://youtu.be/PN7PYyLKx9I?si=Ro0Vq8JpItS6naA3

Season 15 (2011) Episode 19 | My Classic Car with Dennis Gage

Featured in Magazines 

====================

American Rodder - May 2008

Super Rod - Sept 2008

Rod & Custom - Jan 2009

Online web reportage :

=================

Kustomrama

https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Dave_Dolman%27s_1949_Mercury_Wagon

Motortrend

https://www.motortrend.com/features/0901rc-1949-mercury-station-wagon/

Alt

http://gr8rods.blogspot.com/2023/02/dave-dolman-1949-mercury-wagon-1-of-1.html

Street Muscle Machine

https://www.rodauthority.com/news/dave-dolmans-mercury-wagon-is-the-epitome-of-cool/

Alt

http://gr8rods.blogspot.com/2023/02/1949-mercury-phantom-wagon-dave-dolman.html

Ozrodders.com

https://ozrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38281

Instagram

Jon Carder on Instagram: “Dave Dolman 1949 Mercury Wagon #nemahavalleystreetrods #auburnfunrun #auburncarshow #funrun #carshow #mercury #wagon #49mercury…”

Awards

======= 

2023 - Goodguys Pleasanton CA - Cool Custom

2023 - West Coast Kustom show Santa Maria CA - Gene Winfield pick

2024 - Deadend Custom capital car show Prunedale CA - Best Kustom

——————————————————

TV and Web publications and Magazine features 

Rare 1949 Phantom Unicorn Mercury Wagon 

Not a Woodie but an all steel Mercury wagon one that Mercury never made !

Built upon a 1949 Mercury 2dr sedan. 

Dave Dolman out of Nebraska built it who built and restored numerous Mercurys for customers 

but this one he built for himself.

Featured in numerous classic car magazines and a handful websites publications like:

Motortred.com,

Rodauthority.com,

Street Muscle Machine,

Ozrodders.com

and

the following hot rod magazines 

American Rodder - May 2008

Super Rod - Sept 2008

Rod & Custom  - Jan 2009

and

Featured on  

Dennis Gage My Classic car TV show season 15 (2011) Episode 19

Season 15 (2011) Episode 19 | My Classic Car with Dennis Gage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN7PYyLKx9I

YouTube videos

1949 Mercury Wagon 1 - exit freeway drive

https://youtu.be/Cq_5MJp418I?si=dCCYZvrj-hE3Bo4v

1949 Mercury Wagon 2 - freeway driving

https://youtu.be/IdpyELmk0hg?si=3QEA1JsRDp991kZJ

1949 Mercury Wagon 3 - U—turn

https://youtu.be/yvKlqW7H6ec?si=V2azTTWStkNze7l9

1949 Mercury Wagon 4 - drive away

https://youtu.be/mzwMfZdmxB4?si=xfkEwW5rV6dFTo2-

1949 Mercury Wagon 5 - walk around

https://youtu.be/gZkeTcxRutI?si=qWSXeJx04wJYClh9

1949 Mercury Wagon 6 - walk around

https://youtu.be/Ogq8QDDk4s8?si=kHbmrajDRkbOh0xq

1949 Mercury Wagon 7 - walk around

https://youtu.be/1eDXsFTb_po?si=epiIcpJMahOaO_8C

1949 Mercury Wagon 8 - walk around

https://youtu.be/BVaGjHGUF9Y?si=Nw26ZNd6U6vEU50e

1949 Mercury Wagon 9 - driving around

https://youtu.be/-p3i8HKmX00?si=OUMM7OuFjqDJQgdq

1949 Mercury Wagon 10 - time to go for a ride

https://youtu.be/qRALnDJuy5Y?si=0I6E65R9GlmeLjo9

1949 Mercury Wagon 11 - driving back home

https://youtu.be/LPQNVMG8Z4o?si=CZtlvdyYtBtLFN3P

 

 

Awards While I owned it 

Goodguys 2023 Pleasenton CA - Cool Custom

West Coast Kustom 2023 Santa Maria CA - Gene Windfield  Award Outstanding Custom pick

Custom Capital of the World 2024 Prunedale CA - Best of Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gene Winfield give award to me at Santa Maria West Coast Kustom show 2023

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c6SCCdO_GWI

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c6SCCdO_GWI 

1966 Buick Riviera History info

 1966 Buick Riviera

A new look with hidden headlamps and block letters on the hood	On September 22, 1965 Buick introduced a completely new Riviera. The 1966 model was two inches longer and has a four-inch wider tread than the previous year, due to the new frame designed to improve the ride and handling. The new body featured a longer hood and fenders, a more sloping windshield and modified fastback roof and deck. Car Life magazine voted it the "handsomest car of 1966", noting that there wasn't much wrong esthetically with the '65 version. "Where earlier models had elegant plain lines, the new version has sweeping, swooping, swinging lines with definite fender top and hood profiles."
The design for the '66 was attributed to Buick's chief designer Dave Holls. Holls had moved around GM working also with Chevrolet and Cadillac where his designs influenced the '59 Cadillac, 60's Corvettes, 67-70 Camaro and '70 Monte Carlo. He retired in 1991, but keep very active in the old car hobby. He passed away in June 0f 2000.
The new design received high praise from many automobile magazines for it's handling and flowing style. Most noticeable was the absence of the window vents, which were made unnecessary with the introduction of "Circulaire" a new ventilation system. Fresh air is taken into the car through a grille in the hood, just in front of the windshield and is exhausted though a similar grille under the rear window. Tests had shown that this system would keep the interior of the car comfortable in 70-degree plus temperatures without having to open a window. In keeping with the disappearing headlamp feature inaugurated in '65 the '66 headlamps are concealed above the radiator grille. When the headlamp switch is turned on, the lights swing down into position in front of the grille.	The headlamps folded up under the hood when not in use. This car also has turning lamps and new wire hubcaps.
Notice the new taillights and one-piece bumper.	The grille is composed of nine thin horizontal bars, which extends into the parking lights located in the fenders. The name "Riviera" appears in block letters on the front edge of the hood. The horizontal bar design is carried over into the long taillights, which are surrounded by silver painted trim. Buick offered eight standard paint colors and seven "exclusive Riviera colors." They also doubled the amount of colors available for a vinyl roof to black or white, since only black was offered in '65. Based on our research only 7.2% of the buyers selected the vinyl top option. Besides the standard hubcap, a very stylish wire cap with a spinner was offered, as well as the option chrome wheel. The center cap on the chrome wheel was changed to a ribbed cone shape. All of the caps and wheels had a black center with a silver stylized "R".
The interior had a whole new look and for the first time a bench seat was available in a Riviera. In fact for the standard interior you had a choice of either a bench or bucket front seat. The bench was available in blue, black or dove vinyl, while the bucket was offered only in black vinyl. The door on the standard trim was quite plain with a small arm rest and a small-brushed aluminum panel. Those who paid extra for the optional interior were treated to a larger variety of colors as well as one of the most stylist door panels found in any car. All of the optional seats had a back called "Strato", which in effect was the same style used on the bucket seats. The optional bench seats all had a pull down center armrest. The all vinyl bench was offered in red, blue, green white or black. The cloth and vinyl bench was offered in blue, black or plum. The optional bucket seats were offered in blue, aqua, black or dove vinyl. The buckets could be ordered with either a short storage console or a full wood trimmed console with a floor shift. Headrests were offered for the first time and available on either the bench or buckets. Once again the simulated wood wheel was offered as an option. The dash was exclusive to the Riviera, which had an unusual floating drum speedometer and gauges rather than warning lights. Offered for the first time were automatic climate control and a stereo AM/FM radio.	Optional wire cap with spinner. Center caps had a black center with a silver stylized "R".
Optional "Strato" bench seat and upgraded door panel.	A new cruciform frame was designed to accommodate the longer wheelbase along with an improved front and rear suspension. The rear suspension was redesigned by moving the springs from the lower control arms to the axle to effect greater control over "squat' on acceleration and lift during braking. Although it shared the same "E-body" frame with the Toronado, it remained a rear wheel drive, despite speculation that it might also convert to front wheel. The only engine offered was the 425ci, 340 hp, code "MW", with a single 4 bbl Quadra-jet carburetor. Initially the GS package included a single carburetor with a chrome air cleaner, with the aluminum valve covers, heavy-duty suspension, posi-tracion, 3.42 rear axle, whitewalls or red line tires and GS monograms on the fenders and on the glove box. Until March of '66 the dual four option was only available as a dealer option, after which it could be ordered from the factory and had a "MZ" engine code.
Production was 45,348 at a base price of $4,424 with the standard equipment including power brake, steering, automatic transmission, dual exhausts and so much more. The most popular options were power windows installed in 78.6 % and air conditioning in 74.9%. Other popular options included the stereo AM/FM radio with dual speakers and power antenna $264.91, cornering lights $33.68, vacuum operated door locks $44.73, automatic climate control $484.00 reclining passenger seat with headrests $84.20 and the GS option $176.82.

Richard Zocchi Custom: 1956 Chrysler Windsor

 Stunning Richard Zocchi Custom: 1956 Chrysler Windsor

 This 1956 Chrysler Windsor (chassis W5675101) is a spectacular custom designed and executed by a three-man team of customizing legends including two Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame members. Built in the 1990’s and the feature of many magazine covers as well as a multiple best of show winner, the seller notes an exhaustive list of custom work incorporating everything from modified period Thunderbird, Olds, Cadillac and Mercury parts to a radical, nearly four-inch chop. Power still comes from the original 331 hemi/push-buttonTorqueFlite combo, and remarkably the car is said to have just ~37k original miles. Find it here on eBay in Costa Mesa, California for $65k OBO.

Reads the ad: “This beauty has been featured in several magazines and won numerous Best of Show Awards including the top honors at the 1996 Goodguys Custom d’Elegance Awards at the All-American Get-Together, plus it took awards for Best Custom, Best Paint and Best Interior at the Oakland Roadster Show.”

Continued from the ad: “The car was created by renowned California custom car designer Richard Zocchi back in the mid-1990’s. Over the years Richard has won numerous prestigious awards at all the major West Coast car shows and in recognition for his excellence in creativity, design and workmanship, he has been inducted into six different halls of fame. The award winning Art Himsl painted the car for Richard in a two-tone Tiffany Turquoise and aqua pearl paint with white pearl inset. Art (The Gun Master) is an inductee of the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame and The National Rod & Custom Hall of Fame plus several other automotive halls of fame.”

The interior is spectacular, and largely custom apart from the dash and instruments which were pretty much perfect from the factory anyway.

Says the seller: “Most of the interior has been customized to blend perfectly with the modified exterior except the dash, instrument panel and steering wheel. There is too much to list for the interior but we wanted to point out that the overhead console is accented with stainless and the quarter panel trim teeth from a 1953-54 Mercury.”

Power comes from a standard 331 hemi mated to a factory push-button TorqueFlite automatic, and ride is controlled by air shocks in the rear and airbags in front. Note the A/C compressor. The seller says it runs and drives very well, and promises that it looks just as good in person as in photos.