1940 Mercury convertible restyled by Sam Barris of Barris Kustoms. Sam chopped the windshield frame on the Merc, molded the fenders to the body and shaved it for handles and emblems. The stock bumpers were replaced with a set of 1937 DeSoto ripple bumpers. The rear fenders were smoothed, and small round taillights were positioned on both ends on the bumper guards. Glen Houser of Carson Top Shop made a padded removeable top for the Mercury. Sam shortened the side trims on the hood to achieve of a speedboat look. Like many other late 1940's customs, aftermarket fender skirts from a 1939 Mercury were installed. Dual Appleton 112 spotlights and a set of Wide whites with Flipper Hubcaps with ripple ring were added. According to the Barris books, the car was painted dark green metallic once completed bodywork was completed. Late research has uncovered that the car was painted a medium blue.
When we pioneered the idea of offering die-cast "First Shots" back in 1994, it was very popular with our collectors. Now, Playing Mantis is proud to present this set of beautiful Show Rods First Shots. 8 of George Barris' most famous custom hot rods available in very limited quantities of just 5000 sets. Each boxed pair includes one highly detailed Show Rod with a special dazzling Kady Khrome finish, plus one RAW version of the same model. This is what a die-cast vehicle looks like after it is injected and removed from the mold, and before paint and trim are added. Both cars have been assembled with Real Wheels. Series rubber tires and neither of these rare vehicles will ever be available this way again. These are the very first units off the assembly line.