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Source for 1940 Mercury Dash Plastic????

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jonnycola, Oct 6, 2009.

  1. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
    Member

    I cant find the dash plastic for my 40 mercury anywhere. I've seen restored cars with it... it's got to be somewhere.
     
  2. slddnmatt
    Joined: Mar 30, 2006
    Posts: 3,685

    slddnmatt
    Member

  3. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
    Member

    Yeah, tried there... nothing for 40 mercurys
     
  4. studematt
    Joined: Feb 12, 2008
    Posts: 433

    studematt
    Member

    I seen a guy remake his out of wood on a lathe. Turned out pretty good.
     

  5. CaseyK
    Joined: Jan 27, 2004
    Posts: 386

    CaseyK
    Member

    I'd be willing to make some silicon molds of mine this winter, and then cast them out of casting resin. All you'd have to do is paint them. Or if you wanted to get really tricky we could cast them in clear resin and tint the clear any color we wanted - so they look like those big ring pops! Let me know.
     
  6. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
    Member

    Damn... It might come to that.

    Bttt
     
  7. Any chance that steel, chrome plated replacements were made for Mercs back in the day?

    I remember my dad getting some of these for his 47 Ford.
     
  8. vert1940
    Joined: Aug 10, 2006
    Posts: 395

    vert1940
    Member

    i realize its not what you want,but i made mine out of aluminum.i have seen them new,on that selling site that will not be mentioned
     
  9. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    You might look to cast them in "white metal", which won't warp and eventually crack like plastic resin. Early 40's Packard guys have the same problems with missing/broken plastic dash parts. Repos have been run in small lots by Packard restorers.
     
  10. pasadenahotrod
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 11,775

    pasadenahotrod
    Member
    from Texas

    Dennis Carpenter made a run of the Mercury plastics some years ago. Probably that will be the last time it happens. Before that it was common for Merc owners to have the plastic duplicated in wood or steel or aluminum and painted.
     
  11. CaseyK
    Joined: Jan 27, 2004
    Posts: 386

    CaseyK
    Member


    You could cast them, you're right. Just cast your parts in wax and have them dipped in ceramic like lost wax and then melt the wax out and cast in white metal - then you could polish them maybe? The problem is you get 1 part per wax.

    I'm pretty sure you can get some pretty good acrylic casting resin that is also UV stabalized to prevent yellowing and hardening over time. The old custumizers used lucite (matranga merc) it's the same as lexan really, just you can pour it and/or buy it in sheets. I'll probably do it either way to get something different on my car - mixing chemicals is fun!
     
  12. Plowboy
    Joined: Nov 8, 2002
    Posts: 4,278

    Plowboy
    Member

    I thought I just saw them in the new MAC's catalog. Could be wrong though. Kind of like the 46 ford without the wings, right?
     
  13. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
    Member

  14. 40mercFlathead
    Joined: Apr 15, 2011
    Posts: 89

    40mercFlathead
    Member

    I've got a set of dash plastic and many other parts for a 40 Merc
     
  15. redo32
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,137

    redo32
    Member

    I was going to say there is a set on Ford Barn, but 40 Merc was the guy.
     
  16. 1sic50h
    Joined: Feb 18, 2009
    Posts: 53

    1sic50h
    Member
    from San Diego

    They sell it on eBay it's pricey though $500 bucks just search 1940 mercury dash


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  17. 40mercFlathead
    Joined: Apr 15, 2011
    Posts: 89

    40mercFlathead
    Member

    I've got replica plastic set that looks and fits great.


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  18. vadstena bil
    Joined: Mar 4, 2012
    Posts: 13

    vadstena bil
    Member
    from sweden

  19. TTTT8
    Joined: Jun 2, 2011
    Posts: 61

    TTTT8
    Member

  20. 40mercFlathead
    Joined: Apr 15, 2011
    Posts: 89

    40mercFlathead
    Member

    New dash plastic is in production.. Bought the tooling to make it. If you want a set let me know


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  21. robH
    Joined: Sep 8, 2009
    Posts: 38

    robH
    Member

    There is a guy that was making & selling this plastic in socal RG11, Baldy View RG88, and the Model T club. He did many, many sets that I know of, but not sure if he is still doing it. Could try contacting those clubs (through EFV8 club), or maybe pm me if you are desperate. Hand made, and, expensive. As I recall, I believe there are at least two different 40 Merc dash's, but I'm pretty sure that does not make a difference in the plastic. JMO

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    Last edited: Dec 7, 2013
  22. 40mercFlathead
    Joined: Apr 15, 2011
    Posts: 89

    40mercFlathead
    Member

    Yes there was a guy in SoCal making dash plastic for about 12 years. He did over 40 sets of dash plastic including brow piece for merc owners.

    He has sold me all his tooling, patterns and materials and I'm continuing his work with some improvements to keep the parts available.

    It's gonna be made to order since there aren't many cars left out there that need a set.

    [email protected] Shawn ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1386461601.170908.jpg


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  23. robH
    Joined: Sep 8, 2009
    Posts: 38

    robH
    Member

    Yes... Clarence pretty much made them to order, too. He started off making a set for his own car. Someone saw it, so he made another. And, you know the rest. He was always of the opinion that there can't be too many folks out there that would want them. I'm glad to see that you will be carrying on. Folks that need the parts should be grateful.
    JMO

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  24. 40mercFlathead
    Joined: Apr 15, 2011
    Posts: 89

    40mercFlathead
    Member

    Clarence Levy, that was him. We became good friends over the last few years as he retired from the same fire department I work for and we were interested in the same things.

    He has moved on but I will carry on making the plastic.


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  25. fryguy
    Joined: Nov 26, 2005
    Posts: 1,235

    fryguy
    Member

    What will be the price range of the plastic Shawn?


    Fryguy
     
  26. 40mercFlathead
    Joined: Apr 15, 2011
    Posts: 89

    40mercFlathead
    Member

    Price lower on here, $600 per 6 piece set. Includes "brow" above guages ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1386781996.845531.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1386782009.395815.jpg


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