Here's the history of "REBEL51" as told by Rebecca Bell.
Bell's 51 Mercury
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2007 5:50 PM
To: Michael Wallin
Subject: Rebel 51
Dear Mike:
The following is the real history behind our merc, "Rebel51". Butch Hurley chopped the merc for Rod Powell in 1979. Keith purchased the car from Rod Powell in 1980. At that time the car had a "cal-custom" floating grill, no paint, no interior and a flathead engine.
Later that year, Keith had Butch put in the Desoto grill. Keith put in the new running gear, rewired the entire car and reworked the chassy & suspension. We painted it flat black and Rod put on some cream/red pinstripe flames on the front. We drove the merc to the KKOA Leadslead Spectacular in Iowa the summer of 1982 where it won the "Long Distance" award. That was the year we met Lee Pratt and Jimmie Vaughn.
Then in the spring of 1983, we had the interior finished in the red with cream detail. Later that year David Bier completed the bodywork and painted the car Diamond Black lacquer which was also Keith's design. We decided on the license plate of "Rebel51" and showed the completed merc in the Sacramento Autorama in 1986. Then it was shown in the Oakland Roadster Show in 1987.
From 1987 to October 2005 and 100,000 miles of fun & four kids, it was time for an update to the next level.
Now "Rebel51" is at Custommike's horsepower corral in Norco, California, also known as the horse capital of the world. Oh Yeah!! Yipee Kay Yeh Yahoo!! Now the car has Keith and Mike working on it. They remember to feed carrots to "Prince" , the famous horse who guards the car these days.
I just thought you might like to know these details. Among all this time however the most important feature our merc has had is that it has brought happiness and many smiles to our family, freinds and others over the years. It is more that just a chopped merc, to our kids it is a symbol of trust, faith, security, fame, fortune and fun. All my kids have had jerseys, highschool letterman jackets and custom T-shirts (for all their sports and other interests they participate in) with the number "51" or the words "Rebel51" printed on them. They consider it they're lucky number and their family crest. As far as Keith goes, he told me on his 50th birthday - that he would rather celebrate his 51st birthday with a bang...
As far as for me, Mike, that car took me from the church where my husband and I got married all the way to bringing home each one of my babies from the hospital. Since those wonderful memories until now that car has brought many freindships too like the special one we have with you and your family. You must know by now that that car would never be anywhere but in the good hands and trust of you and your family. We are always grateful that we have come full circle and can rely on you, your expertise, professionalism and workmanship all these years. We met you while you worked in a shop in Burlingame, California I believe, when you worked on Keith's father's Bentley?? is that right, my memory stands out like that, let me know what you know too....
Also, you know from those days until now, you have been a fellow custom car enthusiast with Keith and myself. If we had won lotto by now, you are in the list of family freinds that would have all your debts wiped away. Funny, Keith and I know if we were ever that lucky, that is the first thing we would do, wipe out all our and our family & freinds debts. Then just stick the money in a trust for our kids. Of course all the dream cars and motorcycles would be included, all those great Harleys, that 1940 "Westergard" Ford, that gt40, that Viper, that Ferrari "Dino", hell I would even try to build a "Speed Racer" replica out of a 2005 convertible Corvette!! White and red paint job too, the works!!
Lets see what else, oh yeah a 1935 Chevy pick-up, another 1951 merc convertible, a 1967 mustang fastback Shelby (vintage) and of course a brand spanking new "Gone in 60 seconds" one too. The Porsche Speedster, Spyder too, that new Porsche thats out right now with that cool scoop, a Magnum, (the guns too) lots of authentice Japanese Samurai swords, artifacts and art OOOOOHHHHH lots of art - I could even get into that school in LA for design... and Oh yeah a bunch of acreage near Mount Shasta with a cool "Ahwanee Hotel" like house and cabanas. What else??? of course an Island - so we can all be "LOST" whenever we feel like it...!!! Man I can go on forever. I suppose that is the one thing you cannot buy - so we are now going to have a "Great to be Alive" party instead...
Hey take care and say hello to Laura and the girls. Hope this email finds you well and content.
Best regards,
Rebecca
I always enjoy our conversations and frank discussions all these years. Thanks for being a great person and more importantly a true friend.