Lot #719.1 - This Hot Rod '49 Merc is a James Dean era vintage build. After more than 20 years in storage, it was discovered in 1989 in a Seattle storage facility by Garry Sutherland. Sutherland acquired the neglected but bone-dry car at the liquidation of the unit and set about a careful two year restoration in his shop. Along with the expertly executed 5" chop, the superb craftsmanship includes masterfully raked forward center posts and a stretched roofline with the original rear window laid almost flat. It also features frenched '54 Skylark headlights, rolled doors, hood and trunk, butted V windshield glass deleting the center chrome trim, a totally custom grille, smoothed bumpers, frenched taillights, recessed power antenna, shaved trim and door handles, '56 Oldsmobile Fiesta wheel covers and Ferrari red paint. When it was discovered, the car had no engine, so a fully balanced and blueprinted Corvette high output 350 V8 was installed. It was pro-built and features a polished aluminum B&M Mega 250 blower. The car drives great, and it remains very user friendly and easy to drive with a Turbo Hydramatic transmission and Camaro 10-bolt rear end, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, power split bench seat and Stewart Warner gauges. Featured on Hot Rod TV upon completion in 1994.