Wow, that's some incredible workmanship and execution! I've always been fascinated with watching a chop materialize and all the different cut methods and techniques used to accomplish the task. Seen a lot of Merc chop tutorials but never one like yours where the quarter windows are cut out and slid back. I've seen the technique, just not on a Merc. It should really help the Merc not lose too much of it's quarter window size, which can be an issue on hammered Merc's along with the rear window roof dip which you've addressed. Great work in going the extra mile with all the hand shaped roof panels. Merc chops are a lot of labor, plus you did all the extra forming work to make it perfect. Curious to know how many hours you have into it?
While surfing the web, I found this 2" chopped Fleetline built along the same basic theme, with spectacular results.
Thanks Hennie. Thanks Karl. Fleetlines are a tough task to chop Thanx Thank you Marcus Thanks. Up to this stage I have somewhere around 130 hours. Estimate around 300 hours before it´s done. That´s a really nice fleetline. Thanks for sharing Thanks a lot man Now it´s time to start on the window trim and garnish moldings. Making all new stainless trim from half round D-shaped bar.
This is OUTSTANDING WORKMANSHIP !!!!! I really like the look when you set it out side.....I always do that as you just can not see the over all image setting in the shop. Well done!
Going from concept to reality in 2 short pages so far .... pretty cool!! I really would like to see more detail than 3 pics in post #35. Thats where so many chopped Mercs fall short. Too many ugly rubber gaskets or cheesy plastic door edge guard material. Your homemade stainless deserves it's own tech article. Keep up the great work.
This is really excellent workmanship and your documentation ain't too shabby either! Could you explain your process with the window trim and D channel as well as how you attach the trim once completed? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks. Just tries to make his vision of how he wants it. Thank you. Yeah your right. A lot of labor going going in to this Sorry Thanks. A good outside look from a distance is necessary. It´s impossible to do that inside a garage unless it´s a big warehouse Thanks guys. Sorry but I don´t have any better pics of the trim process. I start making a paper template of the windowopening as big as the trim will be on the outer perimeter. Then I cut off 1/2"(the same amount as the bar is wide ) and makes a steel template from that. Then I heat and shape the stainless bar around the steel template and weld it together. The backside I drill and tapp with M4 thread 4mm deep. Weld some small tabs on to the small edge in the window opening to get some more material to drill in, drills holes in it matching the holes in the trim and mounts the trim with small countersunk allenhead screws. Attached is a pic from the backside of door to get an idea of it. Hope it makes sence.
Have got all the window trim and ventwindows done and testfitting with rubberseals. Also made an extension to make the fenderskirts higher just as Sam Barris did on his 49.
Nice, very tasteful. I always thought 2” was perfect. Most Merc chops are way too much. Great work, I can’t bring myself to chop mine.
There's a guy that comes to Santa Maria that has a stock bodied 51 Merc that is lowered and chopped and looks dynamite. The Mercaholics just look at each other and smile with a nod of approval. Look's Cool Man. Funny thing is that Merc's look cool just lowered and clean. I had a nice stock bodied 50 that was just lowered w nice paint and I was surprised how many time I was asked how much it was chopped. Always amazed by the old saying that there is ""more than one way to skin a cat"" and that saying sure could apply to how many way's you see Merc's chopped. Very nice work on the 49.
The Jalopy Journal
