$118 ebay Mercedes death rod

[Flipper]

I just finished a 1600 mile weekend trip from hell (kentucky to New York to kentucky)We went and picked up the scariest piece of crap I have ever seen. It was described as a 30's Mercedes....I think it is actually a 1952, The damn thing is mounted on a hacked up truck frame. I use mounted loosely....its just sitting there. The pickup floor and firewall is there too (truck firewall is about 6 inches forward of the car firewall .....WTF?)

We aren't reall sure what we are goinng to do with it...other than use it to learn how to gas weld on http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Flipper]

What is an "INVADER 307" and is the master cylinder supposed to stick out the side of the hood?

[____]

im pretty sure i saw you on I65 just after smithsgrove exit headed back today about 4:30 ish???

i was headed the other direction, but when i saw the car i thought that was the one you posted the other day. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cool,have fun with it

[Flipper]

$3 of flat black later and the wife says it can stay in the driveway.

[The37Kid]

Look at the bright side, you can sell the Ford grill and make a profit and still have the MB. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Flipper]

[ QUOTE ]
im pretty sure i saw you on I65 just after smithsgrove exit headed back today about 4:30 ish???

i was headed the other direction, but when i saw the car i thought that was the one you posted the other day. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cool,have fun with it

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, that was us. Towing a 20ft trailer with a 4 cylinder Toyota 4x4 with 273,000 miles on it sucks. That is one tough truck though. It managed to keep the speed above 45 mph in the mountains.....in 2nd gear at 5300 rpm. I litterally drove it for 14 hours straight with my foot on the floor http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[47lincsled]

And I thought I was building some thing different,Chop it and channel it,if there is enough metal left to work with.good luck.

[Flipper]

This thing has a 30 gallon? gas tank sitting aboy 1/2 inch above the rear axle. ....I guess they were counting on those 8 leaf spring packs not giving much http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[The37Kid]

Can someone with Photoshop make a coupe out of this and add 1936 Ford fenders to it?

[Flipper]

Here's a pic of the firewall.....

[Flipper]

Did I mention that this heap runs?

[Flipper]

[ QUOTE ]
Look at the bright side, you can sell the Ford grill and make a profit and still have the MB. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

What does a beat up truck grill shell (with cool patina) go for?

[mr57]

"Invader" 307?? If it's a SBC, it probably came out of a Canadian Pontiac Beaumont or Acadian, late 60's.

[34Hupmobile]

I would swear that that is actually an Adenauer. (Named after Konrad Adenauer, first chancellor of West Germany) Could be anything from 52 to 60. Never seen one with suicide doors though. If you want a real frame for it I might be able to help you out. Got a parts car in the warehouse. Good luck dude!

[Flipper]

We are probably going to scratch build a frame for it kinda like this guy did http://www.the-antidote.com/one/1chass01.htm

I am dying to try out my new Henrob!!!! It may end up a hi-boy 3 window coupe before it is all said and done.

[Unkl Ian]

No help on the fenders,but I stretched the front doors,and shortened the wheel base a little.

[Flipper]

Well, I have finally collected some much needed pieces and parts (extra doors, grill shell, trunk lid and a rear fender)....the cutting has started.

Here is the latest photo chop of what is planned.....

It is getting turned into a 3 window. The doors are staying stock length, but the rear of the rear door window frame is moving to the rear of the front door......and is getting chopped about 2 1/2 inches. The door post is getting slid back to the leading edge of the rear fender. The rear fender is getting raised a couple of inches and the remaining rear quarter panel void is gonna get built out of rear door sheet metal.

It is not exactly a "traditional" hot rod or custom, but I think it has a lot of lines with a traditional feel.

.....and to think this started out as a cheap pile of crap that I bough to hone my metalworking skills on.

[choprods]

That looks good-keep us-updated, with some pics of your progress.....

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Did I mention that this heap runs?


Wasn't it on the cover of OSR last month? :D

What an abortion. I like the gas tank placement. The double firewalls are a nice touch you don't often see.

[Flipper]

Wasn't it on the cover of OSR last month? :D

What an abortion. I like the gas tank placement. The double firewalls are a nice touch you don't often see.

Yep, it was a big pile of sh*t. But it has some cool shapes to recycle.

The chevy truck frame is gone. It was replaced with a 90's toyota pickup frame. Rear suspension is going to be a triangulated 4 link (w/ swaybar).

The scarey floors are gone, to be replaced with new steel (and channeled a couple of inches in the process).

The 307 might come back to dial everything in.....then a hotter 350 is going in.

I haven't figured out where the gas tank is going yet.

[Flipper]

Thech week inspired me t get off of my ass and do something............

As you may have noticed, I started with a rust piece of crap.

Here is what the drivers door looks like.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716698/rottendoora.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716698/rottendoorb.jpg

[Flipper]

If I could find another door, I would. I did find a solid door for the other side. I used it for reference when making my patch panels.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716698/notrusteddoor.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716703/notrusted2.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716703/notrusted3.jpg

I hammer formed the flanges and the long 90* bend (kinda fun). The patch is made from 18 gage cold rolled sheet.

the patch has not been welded in. It is just sitting on the rusty door!

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716698/patch4.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716703/patch2.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/47/47154/pages/716703/patch3.jpg

I still have to figure out that tapered stepdown. It will be a seperate piece that is welded in....and trim and flange the upper portion.

....then on to the outer skin.