Thanks, I really like the looks of a well done chop on a mercury so I'm not ruling it out, just would like to be different. Thanks Dr. Dave, had fun seeing you again and hope to see your merc running soon! Wish I had a great vision of something different but so far no luck.
I still have a lot of rusted metal to replace but needed a break so started on the front end, as I mentioned before I was able to get a set of Buick headlight rims so started from there. Removed the rusted sections of the front fenders Made backer plates for headlights Attached rim to see how they would look, not going to French them is as I like the looks of the rims. Made filler panels Filled in fender Finished Drivers side Ready for lights! Will start work on rear, trunk pan has to be replaced and I want to install vertical taillights and I will be able to take out rear bracing after that without affecting whether I chop it or make a wagon. Also thinking about modifying the hood, I like the look of a flatter V hood something like the 53-54 Chevy's. Thanks for looking!
Where have I been? What have I been doing to miss out on this kool post? I must have been stuck in a Nerdsville time warp. VERY KOOL! You are doing a great job getting the Merc back on the road. Love your kustom work to the front end. Please keep us posted with your updates....
Thanks Mick, I really appreciate your comments. Wish I could say this one will make it to the 500 next year but that's a lot of wishful thinking! Thanks Dr. Dave, how is your Merc. coming along? Thanks, I do enjoy working on it but all the rust does get to me sometimes! Really like your avatar.
No progress to report, really...just been driving it. Got the Chevy back on the road, so getting ready to jump back into the Merc and finish what I started last year and finish painting the bottom half.
Decided to finish up the headlights before moving to rear. Holes cut for lights I found these buckets on e-bay, amazingly good shape Added Bezel, someone told me these were not 53 Buick bezels but didn't know exact year- whatever, I like them. Primed and ready to go! Of course none of this would have happened without my BIG helpers (grandchildren!) Now going to start on rear, lots of rust issues so will get that taken care of, still trying to plan out a lower flatter hood line and will attack that after the rear is done. Thanks for looking and hope you have a great summer!
Thanks Dr. Dave, always appreciate your comments- now if you have any ideas for unique taillights.......
Well, actually, I might have something unique. I think I remember my dad once saying he had considered '52 (?) Buick tail lights on his '51 Merc way back when. At the Stray Kat, I found one such light at Too Tall Okie's shop and bought it just to hold up to my Merc and see what it might have looked like just for grins. I haven't taken the light apart yet to try it out, but I'll make it a point to do that over the next few days when I get a chance and post you up a pic. Never know, might look kinda cool.
Those both look good. The housing I have looks like it would nearly bolt on vertically, which is I recall my dad saying...that it was a pretty much bolt on change.
I would trim off the lower part of the stock taillight housing and move it all the way to the bottom of the fender. Makes the car look lower and a very classy kustom treatment.
Here are a couple pics of the Buick one held up against my fender. I really do think the chrome housing would just about match the shape of the Merc fender and make it nearly a bolt in deal, but I have that '54 Chevy Lee lens in the way to be able to know for sure. [emoji6]
Many thanks for the idea and taking the time to get a pic. and photo it Dr. Dave, you are one of the reasons I enjoy and appreciate the HAMB board! I like the 52 Buick lens, also looking at a 49 Buick lens and some 50's mopar lenses, the early Desoto lens look like they might work. Whatever I do I plan on doing a vertical lens, I think it looks cleaner on the 51. Again many thanks. Thanks for posting the pic.'s, I appreciate as many ideas as possible right now! Thanks Mick, are you talking about the stock Mercury housing of the Buick housing? I'm also thinking about a custom narrow vertical taillight. One good thing, I have plenty to do before I start on the taillights so should be able to generate a lot of ideas! Thanks all.
Stock Mercury taillight housing is what I was talking about. This is the fun part of building a Kustom, love throwing out ideas.
Well.....I just happen to have a set of '49 Buick lenses laying around somewhere I had intended to use on my Fleetline. Lemme see if I can find them and hold them up for a pic when I get home tonight.
Ok, here is my 49 Buick lens held up to the top edge of the fender, where I guess you would consider putting one...
LOL....well, my stash starts out innocently enough....parts collected for projects and plans rolling around in my head. But, usually those plans are slow coming to fruition. Of course, there are parts that are just plain cool that I can't pass up....I need help. LOL Can't help you on the '59 Corvette lenses.....I actually don't have any of those. LOL
Been working on the rear of the car, as with the rest of the Merc there are plenty of rust issues. Unfortunately I also got a close up look at the frame and it is pretty much shot- actually behind the rear axle the frame has rusted thru. Don't know exactly what I'm going to do but repairing it is not one of the options. Several large swap meets coming up so I hope to get lucky! Cut out sections Made rear body brace Made and welded in panels and floor pans. I did not use the wheel well yet as I don't know if I really need it. For now the taillight openings are the same as the original ones because I haven't had time to find the taillights I want to use. As I said earlier I plan on vertical taillights and have had some great suggestions. With the upcoming swap meets I hope to collect many needed parts! Next step is replace this piece, picture doesn't show it very well but it is completely rusted thru. Wray Schelin (best sheetmetal instructor I've ever met) looked at it and his only comment was "that's going to be tough to do!". Guess I'll be working on it for awhile. Thanks for looking, hope you had a great summer!
Good night of living'!! You have been busy! Looking great! You are doing a good job of demonstrating how one eats an elephant.....one bite at a time. Wish I could help you on the frame....hate to tell you, but I sent one that was bent real good in the front off to scrap years ago after I parted out the rest of the car. You might try Flat Top Bob at Owen's Salvage to see if he has a decent back half. He's not too awful far from you up in Wellington.
Thanks Dr. Dave, always appreciate your comments. Regarding the frame I didn't list all the problems but the short version is there is very little left that is solid metal. In a perfect world I'd really like to find a new set of mercury rails and then build my own frame similar to my pickup and use an IFS and 9 inch ford rear and I'm even thinking about an air suspension because I've never done one before (actually never even ridden in one before). I haven't found anyone selling new rails so if I don't find a good used frame I may even look into an Art Morrison etc. frame. One thing is for sure, I've got time to think about it. I do appreciate the tip on Owen's, they are only about 4 hours from here so I'm planning to make a trip up there and not only check frames but the rear trunk latch support piece I'd like to find rather that make and to check out all the taillight possibilities- I'm really favoring the 49 Buick you mocked up for me. Thank again and hope you are doing well. Wish I could make Starliner but it is the same week-end as my 55th high school class reunion- I really am getting old!
The Jalopy Journal
