Leo Lyons

Leo Lyons' Ultra Modern Merc of San Bernardino, California. The build was started in 1950, and completed in the Summer of 1959. Leo wanted to do something different. He wanted to build a custom car mostly from scratch. His initial plans called for building 10 identical custom Mercs, but only one, the prototype, was ever built.

Leo went on to design and sell Hemi head for the small block Chevrolet V8 engine. His heads were featured on the coverof Rod & Custom March 1966.

An ad for Leo Lyons Equipment.

Leo's last project to receive magazine cover status was his Dune Buggy called the "Fun Hugger," a completely original design.

Leo Lyons of San Bernardino, California. Leo was the youngest of 5 brothers. He was born on April 26th, 1930 in Akron, Ohio. His family moved to Phoenix, Arizona because Leo, at age 4, developed asthma. The climate was much better for young Leo in the southwest. In about another year, they moved to Alhambra, California, and then a few years later to San Bernardino where he was still living when he passed away in 2014.

After graduating high school in 1948, Leo took odd jobs for several years and customized a small number of cars. In the mid 1950s he enrolled in Valley College and worked toward becoming an apprentice electrician. He later achieved his ultimate goal becoming a master electrician which is the trade he kept all of his life. This funded businesses and car projects for his entire life. Leo did build several hot rods, V8’s, in his early years. But this was all leading up to his final car, a full-blown custom, the Leo Lyons Ultra Modern Merc.

Leo went on to design and sell Hemi head for the small block Chevrolet V8 engine. The heads were marketed under Leo Lyons Equipment.

Leo Lyons' Cars

Leo Lyons' Ultra Modern Merc