Bob Sanchez' 1954 Mercury

Photo by Harry Kinney

Photo by Harry Kinney

Photo by Harry Kinney

Photo by Harry Kinney

Photo by Harry Kinney

Photo by Harry Kinney

Photo by Harry Kinney

A close-up shot of the rear bumper on Bob's Merc was published in Custom Cars February 1960, in a story titled "What's new in - BUMPERS?" The story outlined the latest trends in custom bumpers. Photo courtesy of Custom Cars Magazine.

A chopped and primered version of Bob's Mercury photographed in front of Robert Martinez' Broadway Custom Auto in Chula Vista, California. Photo from The Ray Soff Photo Collection.

A rear end shot of Bob's Mercury photographed in front of Robert Martinez' Broadway Custom Auto. Photo courtesy of Ray Soff.

1954 Mercury restyled by Bob Sanchez of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bob's car had been wrecked twice, he decided to give it a whole new look this time. All handles and emblems were shaved. The hood was given a Pancake opening with a functional scoop attached. The front fenders were extended in able to form the shades over the headlights. Round tubing was used to form the spiderweb layout around the headlights. The grille shell was molded-in and the grille itself was made by rod tubing. The top grille bar was turned upside down and trimmed to fit. 1956 Cadillac dagmars were added. Air scoops in front of the matador red dual spotlights were made. The scoops were formed by using expanded metal screen, and dual antennas were inserted. Functional air scoops were made in the rear fenders. Side trims from a 1956 Pontiac were used. The rear fenders were extended and housed a pair of 1956 Packard taillights. A custom rear bumper was made with exhaust outlets placed in both courners. The frame was C'd and tunneled in able to get it real low. Custom hubcaps were made by using Plymouth Fury wheel discs with Olds spinners. The interior was stiched by Bob himself. A custom arm rest was constructed of plywood with foam rubber. The interior was done in blue and white pleated and rolled Naugahyde. Black rugs were used. The car was painted Matador Red and Cutlass Bronze once completed, making this a well known trophy winner.

Chopped

Two photos from the Ray Soff Photo Collection shows a later, chopped and primered, version of the Mercury photographed in front of Robert Martinez' Broadway Custom Auto. We don't know who the owner of the car at the time was, or what he did at the shop. Ray's photos shows that before or after the chop, the rear end had been reworked as well. At the time, the 1956 Packard taillights had been replaced, and the fins had been modified.

Magazine Features

Custom Cars June 1959
Custom Cars February 1960
Trend Book 189 Custom Cars 1960 Annual