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Projects The Mexicali Merc, another 40 Custom in the works

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Sledge, Mar 17, 2012.

  1. Baron
    Joined: Aug 13, 2004
    Posts: 3,636

    Baron
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Bob. Yep. This trick works good on 49-51 Mercs also.
     
  2. Sledge
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,731

    Sledge
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    So after the windshield was fully tacked in place I decided the to shave the drip rails off!:eek: Drip rails are great for hot rods but for an early style custom they just dont belong in my opinion. Plus these roofs just look so much better without them.
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    Then I cut out the back window. I left about 3" all the way around so there would be plenty of meat to work with.
    [​IMG]

    After the back window and drip rails were out of the way I decided it was time to finally cut the roof off! I cut 6" out of the A-Pillar and 7" out of the back. The C-pillar is going to be modified and reshaped so I left the entire height of it for now. It looks much better as a convertible.:D
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    http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn274/kevansledge
    /Mexicali%20Merc/100_3242.jpg
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  3. jhutch713
    Joined: Apr 18, 2011
    Posts: 207

    jhutch713
    Member

    Even with all the hassle it'll be worth it and its still a really nice car. All that headache is just part of the game, I think out of the last 5 or 6 cars I've bought, only 1 went totally smooth with no snags. Nice work. Anyway at least she's home now, yo estoy mucho jealioso, viva Mexicali Merc.
     
  4. 38zephyr
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 622

    38zephyr
    Member

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

    TheFrenZ
    Member
    from Germany

    Cool.Others cars in your garage look really good too.What a nice place.
     
  6. Baron
    Joined: Aug 13, 2004
    Posts: 3,636

    Baron
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I am envious of all the fun you are having. I love this part a of a project.Chop chop. :)
     
  7. Oh boy, here we go...

    So Kevan, on an unrelated note...what's the story with the 35/6 3w coupe I see lurking in the background? Yours / customers?
     
  8. big creep
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 2,945

    big creep
    Member

    man this merc is going to be beautiful!
     
  9. Sledge
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,731

    Sledge
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    Yeah the 36 in the background is mine. Sort of a long term project I've been piecing together for years.
     
  10. sled
    Joined: Nov 19, 2006
    Posts: 2,076

    sled
    Member

    Now we're talking bro...i could'nt stand anymore that ugly stock roof...things are getting interesting at this point....just take your time and dont rush on the chop..

    there are a number of chopped 39/40 Mercs that are messed up with the wrong roof and no flow....this has to be right ,but i sleep relaxed anyway with you takin care of the job...

    still pushin to find some rear fenders,no luck yet...

    keep the fun up...
     
  11. Sledge
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,731

    Sledge
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    So today was mostly trimming and fitting. The roof was on and off a few times but still needs a lot of work. I made some patterns off of my merc to get the same side window shape, so after I get the A-pillars set then I can reshape the C-pillars to have the same flow. But already a big improvement from the hideous stock top!:p

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    Last edited: Jul 20, 2012
  12. Perfect! So you're doing an exact copy of your chop then? It IS perfect, so...

    Better already!
     
  13. Sledge
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,731

    Sledge
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    Thanks Keith! Yeah that's what Reno wants so it's going to be nearly identical to mine. Plus it's been over 10 years since I chopped mine and I never took any pictures of the process, so it's kinda cool figuring it all out again.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2012
  14. Good stuff Kev!
     
  15. speters
    Joined: May 19, 2010
    Posts: 514

    speters
    Member

    You know you have a good attitude when "it's kinda cool figuring it all out again". Most people would be frustrated. Keep up the inspiring work!
     
  16. Baron
    Joined: Aug 13, 2004
    Posts: 3,636

    Baron
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Hopefully you still have the jigs for the framework for the door and quarter windows. The ones on your car look/fit great.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2012
  17. big creep
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 2,945

    big creep
    Member

    wow already looking way better!!!
     
  18. koolkemp
    Joined: May 7, 2004
    Posts: 6,005

    koolkemp
    Member

    Wow thats looking great!!
     
  19. Now your cookin with gas!!!
     
  20. Looks GREAT!
    Thanks for taking time to post pics & chop info.
     
  21. swissmike
    Joined: Oct 22, 2003
    Posts: 1,297

    swissmike
    Member

    x2! I am really excited about this thread. Can't wait to get started on mine. Are you going to leave the B-pillar or do the same side window treatment as yours?
     
  22. Why do you make it look so easy when I know its not. Clean.
     
  23. sled
    Joined: Nov 19, 2006
    Posts: 2,076

    sled
    Member

    I can answer on this one...B pillars will be removed...since i liked Kevan's Merc for so many years and im still firm on my opinion stating that's is the best roofline out there along with the J.B. Merc ..but i still rather prefer Kev's style for my car a bit more cause is little more chopped and especially the rear flow is perfect to me...so ,hard to improve it so i want an identical chop ,flow and windows style...no brainer here..hard to improve perfection...

    Also Rudy's Merc is something else (impressive car) but his goal was totally different...
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2012
  24. sled
    Joined: Nov 19, 2006
    Posts: 2,076

    sled
    Member

    Yeah,i tought exactly the same..focused and super clean when we know its not....mmm,experience or Miguel's jungle punch beverage positive effect???ah,ah,ah

    Now i understand why he wanted to wait the chop after the Shifters 20th anniversary...i see
     
  25. swissmike
    Joined: Oct 22, 2003
    Posts: 1,297

    swissmike
    Member

    Sled - I hear ya, Kevan's roof treatment is hard to improve on.
     
  26. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,579

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Can't stop watching....looking great Kevan.
     
  27. thunderbirdesq
    Joined: Feb 15, 2006
    Posts: 7,092

    thunderbirdesq
    Member

  28. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    You make it look easy. Nice work!
     
  29. martin
    Joined: Jul 19, 2005
    Posts: 199

    martin
    Member

    Im in, fantastic thread and very good workmanship. Viva Miguel.
     
  30. devilscustom
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 289

    devilscustom
    Member
    from Sweden

    Kevan locking really good ,i must get me some time to start chopping my 39
     

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