Projects 1940 chopped Mercury Coupe Traditional Build

Well my dream car has been a 39 or 40 Mercury coupe forever. I finally came across a nice coupe at a good price to start the build. I bought the car on Dec 22 2018 and have been collecting some parts for the build. I decided to have Mengestwinspeedshop in Paso Robles do the the build and they are beginning at the end of May. Normally I would do alot of the work myself but my fiance gave birth to our son on Dec 2 so I have zero time. Here are some pics of the Merc the day I bought it.

 

Looks like a clean start. Can you share any details as to what your plans are for it?

 

Here is a video walk around of the car

https://www.instagram.com/p/Brsxjj3hWZY/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1kgvddfo81f8b

 

I plan on doing a traditional build chopped Mercury Kustom. I will obviously be leaving the original flathead 8 and putting some old speed equipment. I have collected alot of parts for the engine.

As of now I will be running Evan's polished heads and an Evan's intake manifold. I will be running 2 chrome stromberg 97s. I have some old finned radiator hoses I had polished and I have polished the chrome fuel pump, alternator bracket and several other parts. I have some handmade air filters by Pete's speedshop in Australia. Here are some pics and the look I am going for with the engine except i am not going for perfect show car in the engine but more like period correct that shows some age.

 

Here are a couple videos of the speed equipment polished.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuqgFyARE_/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=i53qdbsz3lc8

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvc1q8jAofG/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=4bcvz6e7fsm1

 

Here are some pics after the Firestone Whitewalls went on.

 

Here are some pics of the car being dropped of at Menges Twins Speed Shop.

 

Here is the look I am going for with the build.

 

Picked up a great license plate frame for the car (I live in Long Beach) and also an old Pontiac bumper that's similar to a lincoln zephyr bumper I may use. I also found out the car has a Borg Warner Over Drive Transmission I plan on keeping and using as well. I wasnt aware it had that when I bought it.

 

One of my favorite's when chopped.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1939-40-mercury-kustoms-pics.44958/

 

Looks like those guys at Menges have a lot going on. Are they fast or do projects linger on for a while?

 

Sweet ride. It looks like your on the right track IMHO. Snowman

 

My favorite custom car.....by a mile!

 

You can lower it, and put on the speed equipment yourself. It will save you a ton of money, and frustration from a speed shop that promises you the world, and delivers a mutilated car that is half finished, months if not years later.

 

No going back now

 

A few updated pics on the flow of the chop. Less is more and I do not want to over chop this car. I am going for elegant and classy kustom. The car is chopped 4.5 inches in the front and the rear window is sectioned 2 inches as well.

 

Update on chop. Stainless installed. Not the shape of the skirts but just for an idea.

 

...belated Congrats @Blake84 on your acquiring this awesome base for your Vision...it's really coming together nicely...

 

@IronTrap

 

Wow , you've done a great job on that chop , looks period correct ! Can't wait to see it finished .

 

Beautiful progress.

 

This rules! I'm taking notes! Can't wait to start on mine!

 

Nice!

 

Beautiful!

 

Chop looks awesome. Height is spot on-too many of this are getting a bit too much taken out of them.
Mengest' look to have a nice shop setup, out in the boonies.

 

Flush skirts welded in

 

a little before and after

Next up is suspension work. Dropped axle with disc brakes and the rear dropped as well so it will have the correct stance, chop and skirts and then take it for a little cruise to see how it looks in motion.

 

Dayum that's nice.

 

Awesome work....