Its been a while since we’ve had an update on Aaron Von Minden’s 49 Mercury. Last update, they had just started shooting the sinister looking black paint that you see above. Now that Von Minden settling in after his move to the San Fran area, thoughts are returning to getting the Merc cruise ready. Normally a man of few words, but lot’s of photos, Aaron has decided to hit the keyboard and throw out a few thoughts about his goals for the kickin old ride.

I am finally getting a bit settled at my new job and moving up to the bay area, so I decided it was time to finally get my butt back into gear working on the Merc.

I really want this car to be special, I have been working on it for a couple of years. I bought it as it had sat for over 40 years. It was one of the cleanest Mercs I had ever found. The better part about it is that I wanted a 4 door. I wanted to make a mild custom cruiser. Something me and my buddies could take out on the town. I already have some chopped hot rods and I want a custom, but I wanted it to be really classic. Something I can be driven around in. So I redid nearly every part of the car. I did not want to make a complete show car. I wanted a really beautiful driver.
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Would you let this guy design your BMW?

Our guy on the West coast, Aaron Von Minden is sort of an automotive Jekyll and Hyde type of guy. Here in The Garage, we see the monster side of this creative genius with all manner of retro American kool. The more mild mannered daily face Von Minden wears doesn’t appear very often here in The Garage, as the two personalities don’t always play nicely together.

After close to a decade, Aaron has decided to leave BMW’s prestigious Designworks USA. 3 years with BMW body shops led to a long stint at Designworks, where Von Minden took part in some seriously impressive projects. McLaren F1, MINI, Rolls Royce. Aaron built design models for all of them, not to mention many internal projects that may not have been seen by prying outside eyes.

I’m sure the powers that be at BMW will be sad to see him go, as should future BMW owners. For those of us who get excited by the work that the Savage side of Aaron’s abilities create, you can be sure that he has only just begun. Next up on the resto train is a sweet Hemi powered 1970 Road Runner!

We’ll have pics of that beast soon

Everyone knows that the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is a drop dead gorgeous automobile . The rich and famous have now spoken with their checkbooks to reinforce that belief

Sales of Rolls-Royce cars for 2007 are expected to be up by nearly 25 per cent over the previous year, fuelled partly by strong demand for its Phantom Drophead Coupe. The marquee, which is owned by BMW, will detail its performance for 2007 shortly as it embarks on a substantial expansion at its factory at Goodwood, West Sussex in England.
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It’s very comforting to know that if you live in Communist China, get arrested for subversive activities, and are sent to the “Strictly Controlled Division” jail for a round of torture and reeducation, you can do it in style.

How about driving a Rolls to your date with destiny?
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