Bob Armstrong's 1940 Mercury

A photo of Bob's Mercury at a 1950s drag event. Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama bought this photo on eBay. It came from a collection in Burbank, California. Photo courtesy of Sondre Kvipt - The Kustomrama Photo Collection.

A photo of Bob's Mercury at the first annual NHRA Nationals with the Merc in Great Bend, Kansas. Photo courtesy of American Hot Rod Foundation.

1940 Mercury convertible owned by Bob Armstrong of Alhambra, California. A photo of the car from The Kustomrama Photo Collection, shows it at a 1950s drag event featuring a 1946 Chevrolet grille, and what seems to be a 1946 Oldsmobile front bumper. The Merc was also shaved for door handles, side trim and emblems. The running boards were removed, and it ran fenderskirts.

In 1955 Bob attended the first annual NHRA Nationals with the Merc in Great Bend, Kansas. According to American Hot Rod Foundation, Bob had come all the the way from Alahambra to partake in the event. At the time, Bob's Merc was powered by a 1948 Mercury engine, that enabled him to cop First in Class C Fuel Coupe and Sedan. Bob's speed was 78.74 mph. Bob also established a National Record in the class with a speed of 90.54 mph.