Richard Soderquist's 1954 Mercury

From Kustomrama
Jump to: navigation, search
Photo by Gene Winfield.
Photo by Gene Winfield.
A push button was installed in the rear roof pillar to open the door after shaving the door handles. Photo by Gene Winfield.
Richard-soderquist-1954-mercury.jpg
Richard-soderquist-1954-mercury-2.jpg
Richard-soderquist-1954-mercury-3.jpg
Richard-soderquist-1954-mercury-4.jpg
Richard-soderquist-54-mercury.jpg
Richard-soderquist-54-mercury2.jpg

1954 Mercury Monterey restyled by Gene Winfield of Winfield's Custom Shop for Turlock Cranks member Richard Soderquist of Turlock, California. The unique front on Richard's Merc was created by molding in a 1955 Pontiac grille and split bumpers. The stock lower bumper was kept. The hood was filled and the air scoop was made functional. The deck lid handle and door handles were removed as well. After shaving the door handles, Gene installed an electrical push button in the rear roof pillar to activate the door solenoids. The headlights were were frenched and shades were added above the top. The rear quarter air scoops were made functional, the trim surrounding the scoops was removed and the lower body line was continued into the rear quarter halfway into the fender skirts. The rear fenders were extensively reworked in order to accept a set of frenched 1956 Packard Clipper taillights and backup lights. The stock taillight unit's bulkheads were retained for strength. Round rod was used to shape the new edges of the openings thus forming the metal that was contoured for extension. The rear bumper featured filled-in mounting holes and integrated exhaust tips. The body was lowered 6 inches by cutting the coils up front and installing lowering blocks in the rear. Gene painted the car Copper Mist Red lacquer, which prepared the car of its final touch, pinstriping on hood, fenders and deck lid which highlighted its re-styled lines. Fender skirts and 1956 Plymouth Fury hubcaps with extra bullets attached wrapped up the style.[1] According to Car Craft December 1957, Shaw's Upholstery Shop in Modesto, California reupholstered the interior in red and white Naugahyde done in a traditional padded and pleated pattern. David Gant's book The Legendary Custom Cars and Hot Rods of Gene Winfield on the other hand claims that the interior was done in Tijuana.


Richard's Mercury was one of the first cars Gene restyled after he expanded his shop on Tulley Road around 1957. Richard was 17 years old when he had Gene restyle the car.[2]


Magazine Features

Custom Cars September 1957
Car Craft December 1957
Trend Book 156 Custom Cars 1958 Annual


References




 

Did you enjoy this article?

Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to preserve, share and protect traditional hot rod and custom car history from all over the world.




Can you help us make this article better?

Please get in touch with us at mail@kustomrama.com if you have additional information or photos to share about Richard Soderquist's 1954 Mercury.


This article was made possible by:

SunTec Auto Glass - Auto Glass Services on Vintage and Classic Cars
Finding a replacement windshield, back or side glass can be a difficult task when restoring your vintage or custom classic car. It doesn't have to be though now with auto glass specialist companies like www.suntecautoglass.com. They can source OEM or OEM-equivalent glass for older makes/models; which will ensure a proper fit every time. Check them out for more details!

Do you want to see your company here? Click here for more info about how you can advertise your business on Kustomrama.


Personal tools
Help us
facebook