Above: The Mercury Mermaid between heats at Daytona. Notice the lowered (mean looking) stance and special "Bonneville" tires. The distinctive tailfin and attractive paint scheme was a real attention-getter.

A completed Mermaid on display in a southern California Dealer showroom.

The '57 Mermaid sported a much modified 57 Lincoln engine. It was bored 1/8" over for a total of 387 ci. and featured forged pistons, Hilborn injector, Scintila mag, Harman & Collins roller cam and breathed easy through Headman headers. It could produce over 400 hp - on pump gas!

The excitment on Art Chrisman's face tells the whole story. Note: in the background you can see Art's brother Lloyd trying to get comfortable under the canopy!