Rod & Custom July 2009 - Glen Shimmen's American Graffiti Merc.

Ever since Glen Shimmen saw American Graffiti he knew one day he would make his secret dream come true. He wanted to own the Pharaoh Mercury. Unfortunately the original movie car could not be acquired. Glen then did the next best thing. He located some of the men who built the original movie car and learned what it takes to be a Pharaoh.

Oddly reminiscent of the original movie car Glen assembled his 1951 in record time at his shop All Rods and Customs. Glen's goal was to make the Petaluma show. Talk about cutting it close. Some of the trim and mirrors were installed roadside during a break on the way to the show. Glen did have a run in with Holstein but what do you expect look at the crowd he runs with.

What ever happened to the original Pharaoh Mercury?

Well we know Henery Travers put the car up for sale after filming and had no takers. The Merc then spent time as a display at Universal Studio's. Brian Setzer picked it up sometime later. After that is when the story gets a bit foggy. Reports have the car in a lot in the New York area.

The story I have been told is the owners son took his life in the car and that the owner was and is so distraught about the event that he says he will never sell the car and that it will just sit and rot. During a recent conversation with Bo Hopkins he told me that a man in California had bought the car and was in the middle of a complete restoration but I have not been able to verify any of these facts.

Jeff