Mercury Paragon

The Arrowshape
 
When the name Albrecht Graf von Goertz is mentioned, most car enthusiasts immediately think of the beautiful BMW 507, with which he created a milestone in global vehicle construction.

But until this was the case, the nobleman went through some professional stations in his life. He designed his first vehicle as early as 1939.

At the time, he had his ideas implemented in original size at Francis Griffen’s small workshop in Glendale, California. The redesigned sheet metal car body was put over the chassis of a Mercury. The then 25-year-old Albrecht Graf von Goertz created a two-door car with strongly pronounced fenders, integrating the front of a Mercury and using the rear ones of a Lincoln. Also from the Mercury are the two headlights on the front fenders. He affectionately gave his creation the name “Paragon”.

The lines were characterized above all by strong curves – as well as on the fenders as on the semicircular, elongated roof.

Albrecht Graf von Goertz had never commented on his unique piece – not even later on – so it is not certain what purpose he wanted to achieve with this design. However, the idea that he wanted to launch his Paragon in a series should not have been far-fetched. It was not for nothing that he campaigned to exhibit his car at the San Francisco World’s Fair in 1939. However, the entry of the USA into the Second World War prevented further planning, as he had to enter the military service as a naturalized citizen of the USA.