If you weren't holding back a tear or two watching this, you will never understand the true passion of cars and customizing/hot rodding. That might be the saddest part of all. What an epic video. Thank you Jim for your wonderful stewardship. I hope you are reminiscing with Jorge and Sam somewhere in the Heavens.

Grown man here shedding a tear over seeing the pure love of another man for the craft, history and beauty of custom cars... shut up, I'm not crying, you are.

As I sat and watched the film, I have tears running down my cheeks. The car is fantastic as were many other customs of that era, but the tears were for the bygone era, when guys had the freedom to do what ever their imagination would encourage them to. The custom car era of the fifties will always be a very special time. Thank God, I was there to see it all as it happened. What a magical time. Thanks for this wonderful film.

You know you've found the right woman when she ignores you and pays attention to the car. Thank you Jim and Sue for keeping that flame burning for the rest of us to enjoy.

“Just work with what you’ve got”, amen to that!

I'm 35 years old, I don't remember any golden days of automobiles, and yet, this made me feel like I was there. I've watched this twice, once at the beginning of the pandemic, and once again tonight, and I'll be damned if this didn't hit me right square in the heartstrings both times. What you see here are great men at their best, and I wish I could be half the men they represent with even an ounce of their passion.

The Hirohata Merc was my favorite custom growing up and inspired me to work on cars. I still have the Rodders Journal with it featured. I remember telling my Dad I was going to grow up to work on and build cars. He told me I had champagne dreams on a beer budget, but I persisted, got a tech degree, now own a European restoration and repair shop that I started seven years ago. Even though I am only 36 I feel like I was born in the wrong era. Barris, Agostino, Watson and Jr Conway were my idols. Long live the Hirohata Merc!

Wish i could like this documentary more then once! I own a tasteful chopped 50 ford shoebox and understand this 1000 times over! Respect to all with the passion

It is so incredibly rare to be able to point to one single, individual thing. And be able to say, "this one thing created or defined a whole era in history". Not a group of things, or style of something. But ONE SINGLE THING. The significance of that is almost unimaginable (for me). And this still continues to be that benchmark nearly 7 DECADES LATER! What this car represents culturally for America and the reflection of the nations nearly unbridled optimism and that "we can do anything" attitude as a whole, (at that time) is stunning. I dont believe in any other place in the world, that the automobile holds such a personal place in the heart and culture, as it does here In America. Unlike Italy or Germany or England. You weren't just routing for some race team. That was driving a car you could never afford to own. Here, it was within the reach of nearly anyone who wanted, to be able to build or customize their own car. And make it something truly special. If to no one else but themselves. Deepest thanks to all involved in the preservation of this piece of American history.

What a perfect steward of icon he was. God bless him and his family.

The car will be 70 years old soon. When it turns 100, it will still be mesmerizing. The importance of this documentary cannot be overstated. Future generations need to see this so that if/when they see the car, they can appreciate it more for what it is and for what it represents. Looking at Jim, you could really see in his eyes and hear in his voice, he really loved that machine and knew how fortunate he was to have it and never took it for granted.

I am so touched by this video. That is why Rod & Custom Magazine means so much to me. We need to pass the torch to the next generation. So Rod & Custom magazine can continue to thrive. I love muscle cars also, but my soul is with traditional rods and customs. It is something you have to experience firsthand. I can't put it into words.

Magnificent to see the craftsmanship honored . It doesn't matter what it is, the pedigree, the skills put into it and the love, transcends the item to become the energy it emits. Quite literally a masterpiece of many masters.

In 1999 I attended the 50th Grand National Roadster Show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. The highlight for me was seeing the Hirohata merc in person and meeting and having a long conversation with Jim McNeil. Super nice guy, it was like we had know each other forever. This video brought all that back to me. THANKS!

Being born in Poland, I never got the "hot-rod and customs" fever, that car freaks in the States had, but I watched this whole thing in awe and amazement. What a machine, what a story and what a great group of enthusiasts, who devoted themselves to put that art on wheels to its former glory! Kudos for showing it to all of us in such quality material! I am truly grateful.

"Iskendarian gave me the last camshaft he had for it" that is just hot rod mythology there. goddamn

Still thee pinnacle of custom sleds to this day. I still had the rod and custom magazines with the restoration up until a basement flood a few years ago. This car beats in the heart of so many of us, thank you gentlemen for preserving it and allowing it to be shared with generations to come. I know its now part of the Galpin collection but it would never have got where it is without the dedication, skill and passion those involved possess.

Oh my.... How can anyone dislike this... Probably didn't watch it till the end... I screen shot it and it's now my wallpaper.... Thank you so much for showing this truly epic car and story...

Jay Leno makes good car videos, this is a great car video.

Incredible. My dad customized cars all his life, now I see why.

I stumbled on this video and had to watch it because Jim McNeil and I were school mates and friends from Mark Twain elementary school in Lynwood, on thru High School . I spent many hours with Jim and his scooters and motorcycles when we were young . A great tribute to a really neat guy who always had great passion.

14 people (haters) who gave this a thumbs down? I mean I am not even mad. I am truly feel for such unhappy and miserable individuals.

this has to be the only video on KZfaq with 100% positive comments not 1 bad or mean comment

Excellent narrative, excellent story, excellent people. I'm left speechless. Thank you!

Who's cutting onions?!? Great documentary--almost as awesome as the car itself.

the led sleds were always my favorite era of custom cars and the merc was king....THE HIROHATA......car is the Icon. Thankyou to all who cared for her and brought her back to life :)

I watch a lot of custom car videos, but I've never had one put tears in my eyes. Absolutely beautiful car, with an equally beautiful story. A piece of rolling art that has always inspired.

One of the greatest cars ever made by hand. NO matter what the category or history. Shows how people can love a machine and it spreads to their human relationships.

What an awesome story us car lovers owe a great appreciation to Bob Hirohata for having this built in the 1st place. Thank you bob…

I was 21 when I saw THE Merc in Oakland next to Cadzilla; the interior was still unfinished they were so motivated to get it to the show. Seeing this car in person at my age then was like peeking into a time you never knew existed. Master artists behind that car. He who knows it feels it.

Great story, Great car. I remember this car hitting the auto world when I was just a kid. I always loved the 49 to 51 Mercs and at 73 I still love them today.

With every AMT model car kit I built as a kid in the early sixties, I wanted to be another George Barris.

It’s hard to imagine one of the Ridler Award winners from 9 years ago ending up on a used car lot today. That seems like the equivalent of him finding the Merc the way he did in 59. What a beautiful car and wonderful story!

PRICELESS.

He saved a piece of His history and his family. The car was a Big part of it.

Such a great story, thanks for making it.

Update The Merc is on display at the Grand National Roadster Show in California this weekend 1-29-22, after getting sold at the Mecum auction. The auction was in Kissimmee Florida, and sold for 2 Million dollars I believe. It's now owned by Galpin automotive group. So she ended back in California. What an awesome story of an iconic car!

Watching this is the perfect way to end my weekend. What did I learn ? Money don't buy these cars, passion does.

That has to be the absolute best car video I have ever seen in my 52 years of life. I've seen many,many hotrods in all those years,but to have the Hirohata Merc is the epitome of what a custom car should look like,an absolutely amazing car. To fuel my love for Mercs all this time,my heart skips a beat,to hear the stories from all the people that just love this car is incredible. Thank you for sharing this video and your car with the rest of the world.

Such a beautiful story! I remember the Rod and Custom stories, might still have the magazines. Such a great, purely American story. Japanese American, his family may have been in the camps during WWII. Family does very well, he has money as a young man and buys a brand new Mercury. He takes it to get it customized “because he can”. The car was the perfect piece of art representing America’s love of the automobile. It’s almost lost and scrapped. Great men who love art and history restored it for no personal gain. And now it’s a museum piece! Bob Hirohata was murdered in 1981 and is still a cold case.

AS A GUY THAT STARTED CHECKING OUT CUSTOM CARS AT AGE OF 11 IN 1953 , AND SEEING THE IMPACT OF THE HIROHATA WORK, IT IS AMAZING TO SEE THIS EFFECT IN 2020, STILL ALIVE!!

'Enlightened your mind and vision'! Wow, that certainly sums up the effect these machines had on me. Joy in metal, transcendence in steel.

Damn! That brought a tear to my eye! "There's a empty spot in the Parkin lot of my heart tonight!"

Barris a real legend , love all all the famous cars that he designed and built .

First time seeing this car. Incredible. Thanks HVA for putting this together and for Jim keeping history alive.

This video is excellent and deserves more views. I enjoyed watching it. Thank you for posting it.😊

What a beautiful car, what a great story. I grew up with this stuff, what a wonderful time to be alive.

God Bless Jim, Sue, his family and all those involved in restoring this beautiful car.. An amazing and touching video.

Epic!!! Such a Neat an humble fellow.... Godspeed Jim

This is without a doubt the most beautiful car in the world. It is the car that we who are over 70 have heard and read so much about. The McNeil family is so blessed to have the honor of owning this beautiful autombile.

I'm 80 years old and lived threw all this area as a pre teen . Bob had balls and set the pace from coast to coast .

A great Story with lots of tears.Thank you for sharing.

Wow...I am 75yo guy, and although I enjoy autos, I had never even heard about this one!...but by the end of this video, I had a couple of tears running down my cheeks...somehow, these types of cars reside close to the heart of America.

Metal sheets in a hand of those guys where the symphony of an era, hammers sounded like drums, colors become the notes of a victory and driving it the privilege of a king. Thanks for the memories

All I can say is......WOW! You have given all of us old timers a trip back to the days when custom cars of the 50s were a prize possession to own. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video and the history of the Hirohata 51 Custom Mercury.

These old fullas have left it to people like us now to make our stories about our cars and our projects. And to keep their cars and Stories alive. God Bless Thanks for this Great car story

A fabulous story about the people involved as well as the car. Makes you eyes leak a bit with emotions.

No doubt, this is a beautiful car. I had a 51 Mercury 2 door stock. I loved it and it look great just sitting there.

I went to my first car show in about 1980 when I was a university student. That was the first time I saw custom cars with the low roofs etc. When I saw them I thought about how could GM or whatever legally make a car with small windows. I could not believe it when I was told the car buffs did it themselves. They looked so well done I was amazed and thought about how they could ever make them look so well done one would think GM or a major car company did it. I'm kind of a fringe lover of old cars. I was busy with other things and thought I'd watch a few minutes but stopped everything. This doc was a real journey, and I never knew this car existed. I always liked the old Hudson's, something about their designs, and wow how brilliant the designers are who can create such a beautiful car! Thanks for making this film possible! In 1983 I was living in south Minneapolis and saw an old Hudson. I was told it was a 1949. It had gold and dark brown I think it was paint job, and the paint had lost it's shininess as I think it was the original paint. It was the middle of the winter and all the salt and slush of the busy street was spraying all over it. Someone said it was a guy who drove it to work or lived near by, drove it like it was a regular car and didn't care. I could never figure out how someone could do that to such a rare and beautiful car. All winter long it was parked along the same avenue, a busy one, and always covered in salty dirty spray from the winter streets. Maybe it was a spoiled angry son that inherited it and didn't care.

Great to see an iconic car and its owners not being the typical car collector type, who are most interested in what its worth. On ya Jim!

This car and it's story touched my heart many years ago. I'm 68yrs old and will never forget this car and story. It brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. Thanks so much. Papad.t..

When I was in my early teens, back in the early 80s, and i 'discovered' 50s era customs, this car was the one everyone talked about it but no one knew where it was. This car is a miracle, a survivor and a reminder of a golden age. What a story! Now I'm into VWs, but my Beetle incorporates lots of the old custom touches that first appeared on cars like the Hirohata Merc!

This has got to be one of the best informative videos of the history of custom car culture made. I learned something I hope to never forget.

Wow what a story. Loved it. Thanks for sharing 👍 👍 MADE me cry 😢

I have been building and restoring classics and custom cars for years in California. I grew up in this culture. I was fortunate to work with some great men but these men that I have never met are my heroes. I had a tear in my eye most of the way though this short film . Due to their love, craftsmanship and dedication. What a great story.

What a wonderful love story. I have watched this documentary a dozen times and it brings tears to my eyes every time.

Epic story, epic restoration and the emotions by everyone of these gentlemen really hits home. I have my own version but in 1/64 scale by hot wheels and Ala Kart pick up too.

These guys are right: the two-tone mint and dark green sure make the car.

The is a phenomenal car and a documentary that touches the soul of regular people. "Us" car enthusiast are in tears of joy and appreciation for such a work of automotive art. Thanks for sharing!! This is a great 👍 uplifter in these interesting times we are living in.

I’m 50 and my dad was a mechanic so he passed on to me the love of these cars .what a great story.it’s ashame we are losing all of these men from a period of time we’re you held your head high in America .what a beautiful car

I’ve got tears. What a car, what a beautiful story with so great guys. Amazing video quality, so nice picture and color, everything is heavenly perfect. What a great culture... Thanks a lot for this video and ALL the people I’ve seen. Big salut from France, 1980’ Vinz.

I was born in 1963, but the Hirohata Merc is the car that I always looked at as a work of art. There is one thing on my bucket list, is to see her in person. I've always loved 1950"s cars, but the Hirohata is the cream of the crop. What a beautiful car.

These stories are really just so fantastic. I feel so unbelievably fortunate to hear these great stories and see these unbelievable cars and the humans involved making these cars come alive

I knew the car, I knew it's importance. Never knew the full story. Wow! Thank you Jim McNiel for having that vision at 16 and god bless his family since his passing!

Excellent job. Love the video. The history, the comment of the people involved, shows a time lost. Everyone should know this story and see what can be done when talented people come together. Great job to all involved.

WOW I cried watching this! So meaningful. I am a designer and writer and somehow someway this story encapsulates so much of my passion and love for history and the vision of so many creative people around the world who emerse themselves in the bliss of concentration and are on the journey purely for the love of expression.

Such a beautiful piece of automotive history... GOD bless Jim & Sue for their passion in preserving this incredible machine.

This is greatest car life story I’ve ever heard. Truly fascinating and heart warming. Cheers McNeil family.

Love that Merc. The story made me cry.

What an incredible video. I absolutely loved it. The Hirohata Merc is, by a very long way, my favourite of all cars. Not just custom cars but all cars. And to see that it meant so much to everyone involved in its creation and restoration was really moving to watch. Thank you so much for the video.

I Think this Web Site Needs to be a Mandatory Watch list of Auto Shop in Education in School , If They still Have Auto Shop At Schools To Day , BEST SITE ON KZfaq !!!!!

What an incredible video. Amazing story and very touching. Beautiful Merc and icon. Respect to everyone who was involved with that car and it’s reincarnation. RIP Jim

One of the best car stories there is. Everyone should hear this story.

Outstanding in all aspects. Thank you

What a terrific testament to car culture. One of the best stories I've come across in quite some time. Thanks for making the history to us that can only dream.

Oh the emotions attached with these beautiful vehicles.Automotive artistry indeed!

Beautiful American tale , building heritage and care, but most of all Family , love of what you do have done and Family, blood and builders. Family. A beautiful American tale ... .

Please never stop making documentaries thank you Hagerty👏👏👏👏

I truly love these stories, this and the Black Ghost are my favs so far

The best part of the story is Jim and the fact that all these big guys in the industry always respected his history with the car. I first heard about the car in the mid 80's in Hot Rod Magazine when they featured a replica, but also mentioned that the location of the original is known but the owner has a sentimental attachment to it and that they want to respect that,,,,beautiful

Holy Cow! This is the greatest car story I have ever seen. Thank you for posting it.

There will never be another story like this about a car. Ever!

Awesome car and an even greater story and its amazeing that the car still exsists and is imortalised both in memories and in the fact that its a survivor of the golden era of customs where the legend lives on .

What a great story. The sadness felt because those days are gone also make me feel happy to have lived through the tail end. I remember a local car. I think the front end was a 62 Buick LeSabre. It sat in a junkyard, missing the whole back end. Same yard had a 65 Mustang that had hit a bridge abutment. They grafted the rear of that Mustang onto the Buick right behind the rear glass. Great paint job and wheels and gave it the mama Half-Fast. Perfect. 50 years later, I still wonder what ever happened to that car.

This car is a great example of my love and passion for cars! George Barris is an automotive icon and one of my all time favorite George's!😄👍 Like the Lil' Coffin, Fantastic to see it brought back to its original glory and preserved for future generations to admire and enjoy!!!👍👍

Thank you for making this film. hat's off to you Mr. McNeil.

I'm welling up here - what an amazing story. Thank you all for restoring that beautiful car and telling its story.

This story gave me a lot of feels, I was lucky to meet and get an autograph from Mr. Barris several years ago. I would have loved to meet the gentleman who owned it. This car is a legend and icon and I hope I get to see it in person some day.

A wonderful and touching story, beautifully told. The Hirohata Merc is so much more than a car, to so many people.

What a phenomenal story about a phenomenal piece of automotive history! Thank you for this.