[6] Constructed in 1953 for "Bob" (Robert Masato) Hirohata,[7][8][9] it was designed and built by George and Sam Barris, assisted by Frank Sonzogni.

Hirohata told Rod & Custom that he was shocked when he got the bill, "I had to sell everything I owned and put my great aunt in hock to pay for the car, but it was worth it.

[10] The rear window had its posts removed, and was raked steeply forward, requiring a new roof piece to be fabricated.

[10][21][22] The Hirohata Merc was painted in two shades of green, a total of thirty coats,[10] which were applied by Junior Conway.

The dash, seats, and headliner were white with dark green inserts, matching the exterior lower body color (below the Buick spears).

In 1955, the Merc made an appearance in the film Running Wild, for which it was painted gold over the original ice green.