Ron says he feels like he won the lottery, but “I didn’t even buy a ticket!” Ron’s 1946 Mercury has been “overhauled” by a group of friends who just wanted to help him out.

It all started last February, following the 2006 Autorama. Gary and Lane were talking about the show, and how Ron had helped set up and tear down the display of Lane’s bright yellow ‘32 Ford. “Whatever happened to Ron’s car - you know, the one that he and Wayne D. picked up in Canada a few years ago?” Well, it seems that the car didn’t run real well and wasn’t safe to drive and Ron wasn’t physically or financially able to do much about it. “Couldn’t we help him out?” one of them said, “maybe fix the brakes and the hole in the gas tank so he could drive it around at least?”

Thus started a year-long project headed up by Gary H., Lane R., Rick N., Wayne D. and Ken M.— with the help of at least 50 other individuals and organizations, both in and out of the Roamin Angels Car Club.

The first problem was how to get the car away from Ron. They wanted to just steal it and do an “Overhaulin” kind of thing, but there were some logistical problems. Rita was willing to help, but she “didn’t know where he kept the keys” and besides, “he’s sure to notice it’s gone and call the cops.” Finally, Gary took the straight approach and called Ron, told him they wanted to pick up his car and do some work on it. Ron was flabbergasted and somewhat apprehensive. Gary was insistent, however, and on March 24, 2006, the “Merc” made its way to Hopper’s Hot Rod Garage for what would prove to be a major makeover.

One of the main catalysts of the project was Wayne, who suggested that perhaps they could do a bit more - and offered considerable time and money to make it happen. Apparently, Wayne then “started taking off the trim” and they were all hooked! Others began to hear of the project and volunteered their time and money too. Ken coordinated these efforts and he and Barb worked tirelessly to keep track of all the money donated by so many friends to finance the project. Soon, the car was off to Master Blaster for a soda blasting that took off most of the paint - and when the car returned to Hopper’s Garage, the real work began.

They decided to loosen the fenders to remove the fender welting and remaining paint. Out came the razor blades and sandpaper and many volunteers. Thursdays became the day they worked on the Merc. In addition to the ever-present Gary , Ric, Wayne and Ken, the workers included Lane, Chuck L., Ron O., Dennis G., Ron himself and many, many more. The trunk lid was in dire straits: it had been caved in badly and then filled with bondo; it had the wrong trunk latch and seemed nearly impossible to correct. Fortunately, Lee W. applied his extraordinary metal working skills and made it work! Rick Nelson spent a lot of time drilling new holes for proper handles, trim and license plate frame. They took out the windows and the wiring under the dash. Don M. took the window frames home and put in new wind wing cranks and mechanisms and the necessary “fuzzies”.

Then there were engine issues - and people started donating parts. Someone would show up with valve covers and another with an intake manifold. Need a new chrome alternator? How about some tires? Larry E., Tom T., Ray Y., and even Lane’s neighbor, Allen, among others, happily donated whatever they had — not to mention the innumerable nuts and bolts and other parts which were “just lying around” Hopper’s Garage which made their way onto the car.

They used about a gallon of bondo to patch it up and then there was more sanding. About this time, Ron went into the VA Hospital in San Francisco for some innovative surgery for his Parkinson’s disease (Ken McCarthy likes to note that Ron was more help in sanding before his surgery). Gary got the car primed and ready for the painter and off it went (on Gary’s trailer towed by Lane’s Ford truck in the first of many such trips) to the painter. What color? Ron was pretty happy with the old black, but several people advised him that this was his opportunity to do what he would really want. Lane in particular encouraged him to be wild! Well, it seems Ron had a ‘39 Ford when he was a kid — had it 17 years and it was the “love of his life”. What color was it? You guessed it - bright orange!

When the Merc came back from the painter, they bolted the fenders back on, installing the new orange beading, put back the handles and trim (Wayne again with the chrome and trim), painted the firewall, rebuilt the distributor, and put on new bright orange spark plug wires. The heater didn’t work, so Bill R. took that on, and it now boasts a working heater. The car was then taken over to Lanny's place, who made a new battery box, moved the battery to the trunk, and made an escutcheon for the radio. What about the hole in the firewall? Lanny designed and made (with the help of Pat C. and Ken M.) the “coup de grace”: a plaque with two overlapping R’s (for “Ron’s Ride”) to cover that hole. A real work of art! That was kept secret from Ron for several months.

Back to Hopper’s to finish the trim, handles, grill, etc. The hood wouldn’t fit right — what to do? Wayne sent over his experts to take care of that problem. The money for new wheels and beauty rims was found and, with the tires Larry E. had donated, and the powder coating on the wheels provided by BK Powder Coating, the Merc was almost ready to roll! About that time, Rich S. found out about the project from Gary and thought he “might be able to help.” Sure enough, as an adviser and consultant to Wyotech, an automotive school in Sacramento, Santana was able to arrange for the students there to do the interior work: headliner, carpet, trunk, rebuilding of seats . . . a first-class job by some first-class students! As an extra touch, they took Lanny’s “RR” design and incorporated it into the headliner and floor mat.

Next, Darryl L. volunteered to put on new mufflers. Over it went to Lenox Mufflers for that job. Sounds much better! Next, as the interior didn’t quite get done before the semester was over — Rich S. agreed to take the car to his place and finish the job.

A few more touches and on March 4, 2007, almost a year after the car left Ron’s possession, it was delivered back to him, not only drivable and safe, but a beautiful work of art made more beautiful by the unselfish time, work, money and unbelievable help of all Ron’s friends.

Ron would like to thank all of the people who made his dream car possible: certainly, all those mentioned above, but also and equally as heartfelt, the following individuals who donated time and/or money and/or parts and/or service. Ron says he won’t ever be able to repay any of you, but he would if he could and in the meantime, you have his undying gratitude (for whatever that’s worth!). If anyone has been left off this list, our sincere apologies - it was unintentional. In addition, we realize there were a number of people who volunteered and were willing to help, but whose services were never called upon. Thank you all!

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