EXK'S Warrior 1951 Merc

Sneak peak of my next 51 Merc. I have decided to call it the Warrior as we will be showing it and I plan to drive it almost every day. We built one of our high tech style frames with air suspension and a narrowed 9" rear end with large dia disc brakes on all 4 corners. Installed a new crate 480hp LS3 copuled to an mildly built 4L8OE. Made a set of custom headers and with a little tunning it should make over 500hp. I cut the roof streamline style. Took 5" out of the A pillar and slightly leaned it back then took 8" out of the rear. Replaced the 51 merc back window with a ford shoe box back window. I also raised the side window openings 1", buy doing this it gives you more side vison and gives the chop a decrowned look. I also extended the rear quarter window to make a longer / sleeker looking side window pofile.

GB & Thanks, Rick Erickson of EXK 951 852-3593
21093 GRAND AVE WILDOMAR CA 92595
www.ericksonskustoms.com

 

Nice lines, they flow like a river.

 

i like the profile from the side...should look good when its finished

 

Very nice. Any pics of that rear window. That LS3 can make 480rwhp with a cam swap and headers.

 

Looks Amazing! I'd like to check out the rear window also, if you have anymore pics of it.

 

Sure is purty, flows great. Awesome lines, nice work.

 

Thank's for the comp Heres a few pic's of it from the rear. Hope you still like it as it is cut very low. The Ford back window works well with this style of chop IMO.

The LS3 has a hotter cam and some head work already done. I do not plan to race it but I might run it at the track just to see what it will realy turn in the quarter.

 

SOLID! I think i like it even more now.

 

man you build some clean rides

 

Need some imput on the tail lights and rear fenders. I have a nice set of orginal 56 packard tail lights that i was planing to use on this merc but they has been done to death. I do have a very nice set of 60 chry 300 tail lighs that I could also use. The chry 300 will be a little on the wild side but I kind of like them. Both of these style of tail lights will make the rear fender look finned and I am not sure if i like that idea or not.

Or I could lengthen the rear fender and make a custom tail light some thing simulare to this blue 51. What's you opion ?

 

Very nice!

 

1960 Chrysler 300 taillights are cool, would give the car an over-the-top 60's build feel you think?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Chrysler_300F.jpg

I like that rear window, the car still has that Merc feel even with that major chop, hardtop mod, and that rear window.

 

I would go with the last option.
The flow if the longer rear fenders and this type of taillights will fit much better with the flow of the rest of the car.
The Chrysler taillights are very nice... but will give an unwanted non flowing line to the back end. Same for the Packard. I really like both taillights, but not on your car.

Or perhaps lengthen the rear fenders and leave them completely smooth, with a nice rake (extend them more on the bottom than on the top). And set the taillights in the bumpers

 

Mr. Erickson...Always loved your roof lines and hard top look. I almost considered trying a rechop on my 51. Too much of a coward to try it....yet. Do you use the top of the door ? Or make new pieces to form the window opening ?
Watched your work for years...big fan.

 

Hey Jim when someone calls me Mr Erickson it usally not a good thing but this time it is.

I do use the tops of the doors on most of my hard top chops. I donot like the look of a hard top copped merc without them specialy in the A pillar area. Makes the A pillar look way to skinney IMO.

Oh yeah, Thanks for being a fan. Rick Erickson of EXK

 

Are you planning on running stationary/slide in rear windows? or roll ups?

Do you have any photos of the door jamb area? specifically how you adapted the b-pillar area to do the hardtop?

I'm planning out my hardtop conversion now and am trying to engineer the logistics of the windows before i go cutting too much.

Thanks,
Alex

 

Just another post that re-affirms the fact that I suck at this hobby....

Excellent work, I'm working on gaining a tenth of the shit you've forgotten how to do.

Can't wait to see more....This is one of those customs that they'll be talking about in another 50 years....history in the makin in my humble opinion.

 

I was starting to get worried about you Rick. Haven't seen you aroung in awhile. Now I see why. The car looks great as always! Keep em coming.

 

Great looking car. Love to see the finished product.

 

Nice flow.

 

Thanks for the pics.
I'll keep watching your site to see what you guys are up to.
Thanks again.

 

Beautiful. Looks really nice.

 

Whatever happened to this build anyone know? Was it finished, sold or still in progress? A LS3 is not the run of mill choice for a merc.....

 

Badass looking Merc!