By Grant Cox – Photography By the Author
For most people, their first engine swap doesn’t happen until they’re old enough to drive legally. But for Butch Harness, it happened at the age of 9. Born into a family where customizing cars was a way of life, Butch was destined to shape metal and dreams alike. Under the careful mentorship of his father, Arthol, a gifted hot rodder, and his uncle Hub Harness, a Kustom Hall of Famer, Butch’s love affair with the custom scene began early and it never let go.
Over the years, Butch’s garage filled with memories, but one car remained an unchecked item on his lifelong wish list: a 1950 Mercury. He already owned a 1932 Ford roadster that he built with his dad, and the two even drove it to the final Merc-Deuce Reunion hosted by the Kustom Kemps of America (KKOA) in Davenport, Iowa. That trip would become a defining moment. It reignited Butch’s passion to pursue his dream sled, and shortly after, fate literally parked it in a tree row in a small Kansas town.
The year was 1997, and nestled among overgrown brush was a forgotten Mercury, neglected and weathered. Butch saw more than just rust; he saw Norma Jeane. After several months of persistence, he struck a deal for just $500, loading what would eventually become one of the most striking custom Mercs in the Midwest. Butch’s vision was shaped by icons like Dave Stuckey, Gene Winfield, Darryl Starbird, Eldon Titus, and George Barris. He took elements of their legacy and transformed them into something uniquely his own.
Norma Jeane didn’t just experience a transformation; she was truly reborn. Butch began with a striking 6-inch chopped top and took the car’s overhaul even further. The vehicle was expertly sectioned by 4 inches and channeled by 6 inches, while the floorpans were lowered to enhance its sleek and purposeful glide.
The bodywork is an impressive testament to the art of customization. It features canted headlights from a 1958 Lincoln alongside sunken, angled taillights from a Karmann Ghia. Every corner of the car is rounded, with both the hood and trunk pancaked, creating a perfectly smooth surface. The design also incorporates front wheel openings inspired by a 1955 Chevy and creatively adapts rear wheel arches from 1958 Edsel front fenders. The front and rear wheelwells have been elevated by 5 inches, contributing to the car’s streamlined look.
To complete the transformation, the car is adorned with custom bumpers. The rear features a smoothed and shortened bumper from a 1950 Mercury, while the front showcases a unit from a 1949 Chrysler, topped off with a unique grille bar crafted from the rear bumper of a 1965 Riviera. This exceptional blend of features makes Norma Jeane a true masterpiece of automotive design, demonstrating the passion and skill of its creator.
Charlie’s Plating masterfully did all chrome, while every piece of stainless trim was hand-built by Butch himself. Even the glass was custom handled by Bear Glass in Winfield, Kansas, with the wing windows deleted and all windows, doors, and trunk now operating electrically. The paint? A jaw-dropping custom Candy Line Gold, laid down flawlessly by Chris Carlson Hot Rods. Norma Jeane doesn’t just roll, she radiates.
Beneath that stunning gold exterior lies a powertrain that no one expected but everyone respects. Butch installed a 5.3L LS V-8 from a 2003 Chevy truck, paired with a GM 4L60 transmission. That combination drives a reliable Chevy 10-bolt rearend, ensuring modern dependability for a classic silhouette.
To get the stance just right, Butch used a frame from a 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88, outfitted with a custom four-link air ride in the rear. The frontend retained the original Delta 88 suspension but got a height adjustment via drop spindles. Braking duties are handled by stock Oldsmobile disc brakes, which are simple, effective, and period-correct for the frame.
The rolling stock on Norma Jeane is pure class, featuring 15×6 Wheelsmith chrome reverse wheels with Spider Caps, wrapped in 15-inch Coker tires with 3-inch whitewalls. It’s a combo that screams vintage cool while staying true to the car’s custom ethos.
Inside, the throwback continues. A 1955 Oldsmobile dash anchors the cockpit, while a 1950 Olds steering wheel, modified and refined, adds character. Seats were sourced from a Saturn up front and a 1965 Thunderbird in the rear, all beautifully upholstered in white vinyl by Torres Custom Upholstery. That pristine white extends to the headliner, creating a seamless, elegant vibe. Butch’s son Logan also contributed, crafting the custom engine cover and proving once again that hot rodding runs deep in the Harness bloodline.
Norma Jeane is more than a car, she’s a tribute to the old-school legends. To the family who shaped Butch. To mentors like Gene Winfield, David Stuckey, and Gary Myers, who inspired and advised him. And especially to his father Arthol, Uncle Hub, and son Logan, who were instrumental in every weld, every curve, and every step of the build.
Back at the 2000 KKOA show in Wichita, Butch collaborated with Gene Winfield during a “How to Section a Merc” tech session for Custom Rodder magazine. That experience and the discussions they had would inspire the build for years to come.
“Norma Jeane” is proof that dreams don’t just survive, they evolve, shine, and roll low. Built from passion, family roots, and a reverence for the greats, this golden goddess is a time capsule and a trendsetter. The Merc has also taken home the King of Mercs (America’s Most Beautiful Merc) award at the most recent Custom Car Revival.
Thanks to Butch Harness, she’s finally home where she belongs, on the road, in the spotlight, and in the hearts of everyone who lays eyes on her. MR
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
