Editor’s note: This is the 27th in a 30-day series featuring cars from the Tammy Allen Collection to be sold October 13-15 at Barrett-Jackson’s 2016 Las Vegas Auction.
The “Sultan of Chop,” Dick Dean, created this 1950 Mercury coupe known as “Wasabi,” which will offered without reserve from the Tammy Allen collection at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction. Dean was also known as “the man behind Barris,” having worked for Barris off and on from the 1960s until Dean’s retirement in 2006.
In 2005, this car underwent a two-year restoration with over 2,000 man hours invested in the build. The car was stripped to bare metal to uncover the body but left all of Dean’s original body modifications intact while the seams and panel gaps were reworked.
The biggest impression made by the car is with the 5-stage PPG candy pearl paint, a custom mix by Johnny Vegas named “Wasabi.”
During restoration, the car was fitted with modern amenities like a Level Pro air suspension system from Air Ride, power disc brakes, a Vintage Air conditioning system and an array of electronics that include a sound system, navigation, and a back-up camera.
The custom Mercury is powered by a 383 cubic inch stroker motor backed by a 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission.
Other highlights of the custom coupe include a custom Pearl interior and custom billet aluminum rims designed to replicate a 1957 Cadillac hubcap.
This 1950 Mercury “Wasabi” custom coupe and the rest of the Tammy Allen Collection will be crossing the block at no reserve as part of Barrett-Jackson’s ninth annual Las Vegas Auction, October 13-15 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. For more information, visit www.Barrett-Jackson.com/Bid or call 480-421-6694. Absentee bidding options powered by Proxibid are also available.