Summary

'Mere Image' was custom built to be a world class exhibition vehicle. Winning Best of Show at the 1986 Oakland Roadster Show, 'Mere Image' was awarded the most prestigious title, America's Most Beautiful Roadster. From the Thomas O. Gephart Collection.

Details

'Mere Image' was designed by Boyd Codington, this automobile was custom built to be a world class exhibition vehicle. Indeed, by winning Best of Show at the 1986 Oakland Roadster Show, this car, the 'Mere Image' was awarded the most prestigious title, America's Most Beautiful Roadster. Chassis is fully boxed rails, featuring ground, smoothed and molded welds. Fully independent suspension with numerous one-off components, all anodized or chromed. Wilwood disc brakes. Unique styling theme evident on virtually all chassis components, including brackets. Powertrain is 350cid small block Chevrolet, features 4-bolt main block, fully ground and deburred. Four Weber downdraft carburetors on a mirror polished intake manifold. All bolt-on accessories are unique, custom made items that carry the same styling theme. Transmission case completely deburred, smoothed and mirror polished. Body has hand-formed body panels and running boards, featuring a highly modified cowl, windshield and doors. A unique, one-of-a-kind grille insert complements the stylish paint treatment. Interior is hand-formed aluminum dash and console. All leather and trim work by Gabe's Custom Interiors. Paint is rich black lacquer with the House of Kolor Fuchsia accent. Barry White's Street Rod Repair Company of Placentia, CA was commissioned to re-design, modify and meticulously re-assemble Mere Image. Updated aesthetics include one-off custom wheels and contemporary tire package. From the Thomas O. Gephart Collection.