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Ford revolutionized car design in the nineteen forty-nine era. The forty nines were amazingly streamlined and beautiful. The stodgy look of the earlier designs lost favor to smooth flowing lines. The Mercury Division of Ford hit a home run with its body style. The nineteen forty-nine through fifty-two Mercury is a favorite among hot rodders around the world. When chopped, Frenched, and smoothed beyond its original flowing lines, the car transforms into fluid motion.
In the sit-com Happy Days the character Fonzi reminds me of a friend from my old neighborhood. The kids nick named him Dago. Dago’s jet black hair swept back into a duck’s tail. He wore a black leather jacket and engineer boots decorated with chrome carpet tacks. Dago became the inspiration for “The Fonz.” Dago drove a nineteen forty-nine Mercury coupé, jet black; what a car, what a character.
Recently, I had occasion to visit with Dago during a meeting of the kids from my old neighborhood in Burnside. His real name is Bob, and he is still a vibrant character with very black hair, and the same panache he had as a teen. This one is for you Bob.
My collection of Mercury’s from 1949-1952
Filed under: Biography, Characters I knew, Hot Rods, Warm and Fuzzy | Tagged: Autos, Ford Motor Company, Happy Days, Hot Rod, Makes and Models, Mercury, Recreation, Sitcom, Street Rod |
Grumpa, is it possible that Bob, ” DAGO ” was from Roseland? I remember a DAGO named Bobby K. Who raced cars out of the Barbecue Pit on 127th St. Chuck
Chuck: I don’t think the Dago, I knew was from Roseland.
Dear Joe,Thanks for the up date on the cars, But my 1949 Mercury Coupe was Dark Blue, My 1950 Mercury Coupe was the Jet black one ! They where the BEST: I sure miss them: Thanks again for the kind words, Bob; DAGO:
Bob: Thanks for the correction. My memory isn’t what it used to be. I didn’t even remember that you had two Mercs.
Classic Beauties like those bring back many memories. Others would be, 1953 Merc., 55 and 55 Chevys, and a 55 Ford Crown Victoria. Too bad we cannot bring back those DAYS. huck
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to bring back the fifties? All we can do is pop twenty-five grand for an old car that cost two thousand when it was brand new. Thanks for the comment.