Customs Merc chop progress with compiled project pics

That was awhile ago! I flatten the cam on the trip back to billings.

 

Ahh, memories.

 

Hmmm........your Project is looking good Son!!!!

 

I think some would say I got the cart in front of the horse, but I got one of the sun visors ready to reupholster.

 

Ok, blast from the past. Here are some pics of my first merc. Chopped it my senior year. Was originally a 50 4-door that got turned into a 51 2-door hardtop.

 

Got a pair of sun visors sewn up. Didn't go to bad. Worked out to 6 inches for the tuck & roll so I think I can proceed to the headliner!

 

Love that old Merc! I wanted one so bad all growing up...was even on my way to look at one as my first car the day dad found my '64 Pontiac instead. Took me until I was 45 to finally get one. LOL.

I love the green you chose...what color/brand is it? I searched high and low for a nice emerald green like that. After countless samples, I finally landed on Naugahyde Vine in their Bourbon Street line.

 

I got the green at fabric.com Kelly green
It seems to be on back order but first purchases have a promotional discount. Got it for $3-4 something a yard. The vinyl is a little thin but I think it will work.

 

That's awesome....and a killer price! Mine is a bit darker going by the pic of my sample, but the pic was taken in a room with not good lighting so who knows. LOL What I do know is a paid quiiiiite a bit more at the upholstery supply place here than you did.

 

Got one sun visor stitched together, but will have to readjust it so the green is off centered so it will line up with the headliner.

 

Finally got a chance to finish fitting the door panels. I find I'm doing everything but welding on the roof...

Got the holes transferred for the clips, and the door handles fit with 2 layers of plywood.

 

I'm starting to cut out the headliner. This is going to be fun
So much fun that I used the wrong pattern and made the green to small.

 

Go cat, go!....but surely you will finish the welding before you install the headliner.

Did you have to extend the shafts for the window crank and door latch to be able to get the handles on over the two layers of wood?

 

Yes the welding will be done before it is installed. May test fit it though. No I didn't have to extend the shafts. Didn't realize the handle had a clip on it and it on. Kinda surprised it fit.

 

Much better!
And done for tonight. The white sections are stitched together. Got to get some more foam and then I can do the green!

 

I really like your sewing table. I need to make one. While I am by no means anything close to a good upholsterer, I think a nice table beyond just the machine itself would be helpful to keep my seams straight.

 

I'm finding that the bigger the table is, the better. Mine is 4by 8 and not wide enough for a roll of vinyl.

 

Got the foam backed, lines drawn and ready to sew. So I'm ready for the weekend!

 

Got 1 section almost stitched up. That's a long run to do.

 

Passenger side is stitched up.

 

Nice straight seams!!

 

Looks like that side seam for the side panel is straight? So you didn't put any curve at the top of that side panel where it goes up in the corner?

 

I put the same curve that I did on my test. It seemed to work?

 

Gotcha. Looks like a straight seam on the pic...at least as straight as I can sew anyhow. LOL

 

I'm hoping it will be enough. What I got put together so far seems to be narrowing alittle bit. I think the white sections will end up being close to 4 3/4 wide than 5 inches. I can compensate alittle in the green. Hopefully it will be enough. But I think it will still go in if its still alittle narrow.
The side seam is curved from the start to the second bow.

 

I bet you are right. Judging by my first attempt, better too narrow than too wide. Too wide and it all looks like the wrinkles and sags on my neck. LOL

 

Got the driver side stitched together now. Just the center left.
And here you can see some of the curve I put into the corners. I ended up curving both pieces of vinyl.

 

Lovin' it! Looks like you've got a little curve at the back end also or no?

 

I think I inadvertently got some in it.

 

So Son, Are you going to do tuck and roll in the roadster?