I worked with Jim McNiel in the late 70's (Sears Auto Center in Westminster).

After being sworn to secrecy, he shared with me the fact that he was harboring this very special Barris Kustom Merc (showing me various car magazines from the 1950's that highlighted the car). Apparently, a number of people were still trying to track down the car at the time.

Of course, this was about 1977. I was into affordable muscle cars, and didn't know about [or care about] 50's crap. "Gee, that's nice, Jim" says me.

Glad to see that the family made some bucks after his passing.