1950 Mercury OCM Custom Coupe

Wally Welch bought this Mercury in 1950 and drove it on the road before taking it to the Ayala Brothers for a makeover. This car was one of the first Mercurys to be chopped, and the hood was rounded and peaked, the headlights were extended and the taillights and grille shell were Frenched. This car was featured on the cover of Hop Up magazine. It was the first Mercury to use a 1951 DeSoto grille to give it a distinctive 'toothy-grin.' For a sleeker appearance; it was lowered 4.5 inches in front and 8 inches in the rear. At the 1951 Petersen Motorama, it was awarded the Best Custom, but Wally wanted even more done so he took it to George Barris who added two extra front teeth and painted it in this stunning shade of deep-purple, earning the name 'Purple Rage.' The car then disappeared until the 1980s, and it has recently been restored by its current owner.