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Nachtfalter - 1940 Mercury Coupe by Rudy Rodriguez

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by TheFrenZ, Jan 21, 2011.

  1. TheFrenZ
    Joined: Dec 3, 2004
    Posts: 1,906

    TheFrenZ
    Member
    from Germany

    In 2006, Rudy Rodriguez began the transformation of a near perfect low mile 1940 Mercury Coupe. He wanted to build a show car that borrowed the styling cues of the great European auto makers of the time yet remained uniquely Mercury.


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    Almost every panel of the car was modified or reworked. The roof was almost totally hand made. The side window area including the rain gutters were extended so they do not look too small as it goes this low. The window frames were made from two complete sets of originals and were made to look factory stock.

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    The bumper brackets were chrome plated. The grille was chromed and each fin was hand painted flat silver. The hood latch was hand made and the bullnose was reworked to fit the hood perfectly. The hood emlems were removed. The moldings that hold the rear view mirrors on an original were replaced with hand made ones. The front window stainless molding is one piece.

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    The door handles are described by Rudy as, "...little sculptures that fit the car perfectly, they give your eye a nice place to rest as it moves down the side of the car."

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    Rudy decided before the build even started, that the car would be done in green leather. It reminds him of the interiors found in the Bugattis and Delehayes from Europe. "They always went to extremes with their interiors and they made as much of a statement inside as outside."

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    Here, with the door open, the door garnish moldings can be seen totally altered from stock with wing window removed and chrome plated. The stainless window frames are attached to the door as from the factory with the jewel molding remaining on the body of the car.

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    The stock three speed steering column was chrome plated. The 1946 wheel has a Ford horn ring and a modified Mercury horn button. The dash plastics were custom made out of resin and chrome plated. The radio was removed and all interior window garnish moldings were custom fit and chrome plated. The headliner is vintage Mercedes-Benz black wool.

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    The Bottle Green leather was matched with German square weave carpet with leather piping. This photo shows the chrome threshold molding and door jamb details.

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    The stock Mercury Flathead powers this car. The Columbia two speed rear end is c-notched into the frame with a three position spring settup for ride height. There are no airbags.

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    Stock Mercury moldings finish the back of the car with original tail lights. The door and panel gaps on the entire car were tediously reworked. The gas filler was moved into the trunk.

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    The trunk is opened by a latch under the rear bumper. The green leather was used in the trunk as well as custom fit to the support openings on the bottom of the deck lid.

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    The rear bumper is a heavily altered 1940 front bumper with the bumper guards moved and the over rider bridge totally reworked to fit the 1940 California license plate perfectly. The rear bumper brackets were chrome plated and the inside of both front and rear bumpers was painted flat silver for contrast.The rear deck lid handle is the hood handle from a 1952 Porsche.

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    The ultimate goal after four years of alterations, is that nothing looks touched at all.


    Paint by Hotrods and Hobbies

    Leather Interior by Bill's Auto Upholstery

    Chrome by Buena Park Chrome

    Glass by Pomona Glass Company

    Wheel design by Kevin Lee

    Owned by Paul Hoffmann

    Special thanks to Pete and Derek at C.W. Moss

    http://fullertonfabrications.com/

     
  2. Harris
    Joined: Feb 15, 2007
    Posts: 863

    Harris
    Member

  3. rallisracing
    Joined: Nov 3, 2008
    Posts: 199

    rallisracing

  4. HELLMET
    Joined: Apr 21, 2001
    Posts: 1,606

    HELLMET
    Member

    cant wait to see it in person.very beautiful car. billy
     

  5. Marcy
    Joined: Apr 6, 2004
    Posts: 1,541

    Marcy
    Member

    As good as it gets! Wow!



    Marcy
     
  6. codeblu
    Joined: May 11, 2006
    Posts: 606

    codeblu
    Member

    Magnificent. This is what I prefer to see, cars of this magnitude. It doesn't take skill or imagination to build a rusty piece of crap. FLAME ON.......
     
  7. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    Speechless. Words can't describe such a stunning car.
     
  8. hiboy32
    Joined: Nov 7, 2001
    Posts: 2,796

    hiboy32
    Member
    from Omaha, NE

    that is perfect. It looks untouched, yet soo custom.
     
  9. A very desirable model made even more desirable.
    Love it.
    The color scheme is just perfect.
    Got me re thinking a few things about my Linc.
     
  10. Pure class!! LOVE IT>
     
  11. landseaandair
    Joined: Feb 23, 2009
    Posts: 4,485

    landseaandair
    Member
    from phoenix

  12. PhilJohnson
    Joined: Oct 13, 2009
    Posts: 906

    PhilJohnson
    Member

    Wow! That thing is the bomb.
     
  13. Wow! beautiful work.
     
  14. 562roadster
    Joined: Mar 2, 2008
    Posts: 1,277

    562roadster
    Member

    Perfection. Wow!
     
  15. sr
    Joined: Feb 12, 2007
    Posts: 418

    sr
    Member
    from Monterey

    amazing, timeless, legendary........
     
  16. Mnhotrodbuilder
    Joined: Jul 12, 2010
    Posts: 1,140

    Mnhotrodbuilder
    Member
    from Afton, MN

    It's ok.........I mean Bad Ass! It looks better than I ever imagined. Rudy if you ever read this you are an artist!
     
  17. choptvan
    Joined: Mar 19, 2010
    Posts: 2,161

    choptvan
    Member

    Elegant. Simply elegant.
     
  18. Did you hear that? That was my jaw hitting the keyboard. Amazing.
     
  19. Trencher
    Joined: Nov 27, 2009
    Posts: 87

    Trencher
    Member

    That thing is SSSSSSOOOOOOO NICE!! WOW>>>>>great work...
     
  20. kwmpa
    Joined: Mar 14, 2006
    Posts: 1,231

    kwmpa
    Member Emeritus
    from Pa

    beautiful but what more did you expect
     
  21. Beautiful Classic Kustom ! Very well thought out, every detail adds to the overall elegant look. No useless add-ons ! probably the finest 40 Merc ever done, at least to Me !
     
  22. This is the Salinas coupe of '40 Mercs.....maybe better..........

    The detail overwhelms me with it's simplicity....

    Thanks for the post Tom.

    Bryan
     
  23. Gomes
    Joined: Jun 23, 2006
    Posts: 171

    Gomes
    Member

    Damm, thats the cats meow!!!
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2011
  24. jasone
    Joined: Jun 2, 2006
    Posts: 431

    jasone
    Member

    This car gives me a kustom chub....elegant, sleek and sexy.
     
  25. big creep
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 2,945

    big creep
    Member

    i would give up my left nut and my cars to have this beauty!!! this thing is perfect!!!!
     
  26. oldman2
    Joined: Sep 9, 2010
    Posts: 2,373

    oldman2
    Member

    Super, super nice, takes your breath away.
     
  27. Pure class. 10/10
    The most sympathetic custom I've seen in a loong time.
    It Oozes style
     
  28. Oh
    My
    God
    !!!
     
  29. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    Thanks Tom.

    Perfection!
     
  30. banditomerc
    Joined: Dec 18, 2005
    Posts: 2,475

    banditomerc
    Member

    Nothing but inspiration!
     

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