Bob Hoshiko's 1946 Mercury

Photo by Tad Hirai, courtesy of Valley Custom Shop Facebook Page.

Photo by Tad Hirai, courtesy of Valley Custom Shop Facebook Page.

Photos by Eric Rickman

Photo by Eric Rickman

1946 Mercury restyled by Valley Custom Shop for Bob Hoshiko. By modifying the Mercury Coupe with 1955 Chrysler parts, Bob ended up with a non traditional although very tasteful kustom car. All body work on the car was done by Valley Custom Body Shop.

A combination of round rods and a 1955 Chrysler bumper bar were used to form the new front. The front bumper was also taken from a 1955 Chrysler. The bumper had to be shortened in order to fit the Coupe. The headlights were frenched to the fenders utilizing 1952 Mercury headlight rims. Special shades were made from sheet metal and round rods. The hood was shaved, before 90 louvers were punched into it.

In the rear, the car was modified with taillights from a 1954 Chevrolet. The rear bumper was borrowed from a 1949 Oldsmobile. The bumper featured modified 1950 Oldsmobile bumper guards. The deck lid was also shaved on the car. Bob had also Valley Custom remove the door handles. Front fender seams were molded into the body, while the rear fender seams possessed chrome welting. The car was painted Oxford maroon, and equipped with dual spotlights and 1954 Chevrolet wheel covers.

The car was powered by a 1955 Cadillac engine, coupled to a 1949 Cadillac transmission.

Magazine Features

Car Craft May 1956
Custom Cars September 1957

Sources

Car Craft May 1956
Rik Hoving Custom Car Photo Archive