Thought I would post up some pics of my current project. Saving a 1950 mercury that was not chopped and finished properly. Inspiration is the Sam Barris 49 with shorter more radius'd quarter windows, shaved drip rails. There is a ton of rework as lots of the roof was too far gone to repair and had to be fabbed instead. Started at the front and working back, squared the a-pillars and shaved the drip rail and radius'd the door corners. Quarter windows required new rear section and inner structure as well. This pretty much brings the progress up to now. Will post more as I get further along. Really stoked on how it's starting to look.
Wow, nice Merc and great metal work you're doing. Have you considered relocating the alternator (or going to a generator) and oil filter low on the engine? They pop out at first sight of the engine compartment and take away from that beautiful Hemi.
The first 3 of this post are some of the before pics when I first got the car. Don't have a lot and the purpose of this post is not to put down another's work, just showing you guys mine. Thanks I love the hemi too! Thanks man! I am only redoing the chop and finishing the metal work. Thanks! Car was originally chopped in April this year.
You gonna get back to your coupe soon , My plan is to hit the powerball and make you that offer that cannot be refused.......As nice as that coupe is it is something money couldn't buy IMO.......nice work man ...... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I only use TIG for sheet metal. Mig is pointless if you want to be able to hammer and smooth the metal properly. Once this is done in back on my coupe. If you hit the powerball you can pay me to finish my coupe. Money talks!
If I hit power ball I am goin on a power purchase binge starting with your coupe to Mckelvy's 35 truck build , not that I could even get in that ride but I sure do like it.... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
More progress yesterday on the merc. Formed a new radius for the back of the quarter window and built new inner structure to match. Also fabbed a bracket to tie it into the factory structure.
Im new to metal fab but twice ive seen in body pics on the site these little - almost nerf darts on the panels that are being created. What are they and what do they do?
They are called Cleco's. They are sheet metal temporary fasteners. I am using them to hold the new formed panels over the old before final scribe and cut.
Careful fitting and refinishing has brought this Merc to the path of perfection. This thread is most fulfilling, could (should) be used as a textbook example of 'how to get what you'd really like'. Can't think of any improvement that would trump this article.
Door back top corners look realy sharp. Are you going to add more radius to soften? My eye keeps catching it. Nice metalwork!
trev, there's a lot to see, here. And, after looking at what you've done and don't brag about (making parts from scratch) I have resolved a question I've rolled around in my mind for a long time concerning drip rails. Of course the dome of the top is a factor, and with this one you make a perfect call. Like the others, I'm waiting on you to post more on how you resolve it. Your metal work is Wizard perfect, you know.
How did you make the rear window corners? Hammer form, shrinker stretcher? I love this stuff! Just started a Tig class to try my hand. Mig just doesn't cut it for me anymore!
Back working on the merc after not being able to work on it for the last month. Got the lower sail panel finished and then shaped the upper sail panel. Next time should be able to start cutting and welding in panels.
I am aware of the door corners and have been talking with both the owner and had a discussion about it with Rik Hoving. I will be changing the tops with a larger radius and dropping the door gap slightly to flow better into the quarter window. Wanted to get the sail panels in to allow me to see how the roof would all flow first. Good eye tho. This being my first merc chop and a hard one being a re-chop, I am learning a lot. Yes he does. We was over today to visit for a while. Thanks! Thanks so much! I made the window corners with my shrinker stretcher. Formed the two opposite radius' and then TIG welded together. Mig has its place, just not when doing sheet metal. Back on the car. More progress soon Thanks Not sure I understand what you are trying to get at about the drip rail and resolving it? Thanks for the compliment but my metal work is far from perfect. I have got a lot to learn still and with no formal training it's a lot of trial and error before I get it right.
The Jalopy Journal
