Projects Accidentally Bought a 40 Merc Coupe

Man tell Silas I had a 68 c10 all customed out, and that's how I met my lady and ended up married. Don't do it! Lol.

You gotta drop that flattie in there! Come on now! It's meant to BE! You can be like me and go really slow everywhere, and get yelled at by all your buddies for dripping oil on their driveways... It's AWESOME.

 

A wrecking yard that still had a few goodies exists in Turlock, CA. of all places. I went roving thru it 9 years ago, looking for anything 'early Ford'.
There was an old Ford walk-in van ('60s) that had the rear door wired shut, so I unwrapped it and peered inside.
There were two '40 Ford 16" wheels, and four '42-'48 Ford 16's, I stacked them on a hand truck and the 30-something year old guy said, "How's $5 apiece?" Not to sound too anxious, I said, "Uhh, O.K. Need 'em for my Dad's old trailer..."
My heart was flyin', I set them in the bed of my F100 and peeled outa there...
Also on Golden State (same town) was this old, leaning wood building, "Witzel's Auto Wreckers". Wow, some good stuff there!
I bought an O.T. VW engine case, for my coool '66 Cal bug, $25. But then I looked in his old steel wheel pile.
Spotted 2 International pickup wheels! (these look exactly like early Ford 16s, (also 15s) BUT while havingthe internal hub cap nubs, they have 5-on 4.5" pattern! Use an 8 or 9 inch butt, these wheels go on the small pattern...
Well, some guys want to know that... No more adaptors on the rear for early Steelies!
Mr. Witzel said, "Take those wheels, Mike. No charge..."

 

I personally prefer the Nick Matranga merc to the Hirohata merc.

 

Me too.

 

Street Rodder did a chop series on these circa 98-2002? If I remember right, one of our own HAMBers was involved? I can check a couple issues

 

Tell Silas, "SEE, SLANTED B-PILLARS!!" haha.. technically no B pillars, but you get the point.

 

Lol...yea, that will come up with references.

 

Congratulations.

 

Cut yet?

 

I figured it would be easier once I get it off the trailer and silly stuff like work has been in the way thus far.

 

Not neglecting it today.

 

I've always wondered how one of those would look with a 40 Ford top grafted on. The Mercury top is just awkward looking.

 

Found the perfect car for the Buick hubcaps hanging on my wall that @Lone Star Mopar made me a great deal on recently.

 

Congrats Jeff!! Suuuper awesome!! Of course, I’m totally amused by the purchase circumstances. Glad I’m not the only one with an accidental auction car.

Of course, I vote Mantranga hardtop chop…not that my opinion means squat. If you go that way, we can race to see who gets their Merc hardtopped first. Since I’m already 14 years into mine (!!), I bet you win. Lol

 

One of the greatest things about Wisconsin. Going to the tavern for breakfast. Well, that and chocolate bars on the back bar. You never know what will happen. Eating breakfast at Howie Wiese's bar in Poynette, WI on a Saturday morning in '76 and a guy came in wanting to sell a complete FE TriPower, manifold, carbs, linkage and breather for $150. Bought it for $100 with money I'd made the night before playing pool.

 

I love it when an un-plan comes together. Tried to find HAMBer Swiss Mike's Merc build thread with no luck. If it's still out there it's an excellent read.

 

Good on you, congratulations! Sweet inspiration.

 

Congratulations. Now just get it to the barber shop.

 

Really liking this car in the top two pics maybe even as much as the Matranga car. I at first thought I wanted straight b pillars but am now leaning more toward slanted or possibly the curved trim. Anyway, you guys keep the inspiration coming. If nothing else, this thread could be a decent resource for nicely chopped 39/40 Merc coupes.

One more I had saved before getting the car which appears to be the same car.

 

The "late model" is a Fullerton Fabrication car, the flow of the roof, sail panel, and quarter panel on this car and the Matranga car are just so spot on. Somewhere here in HAMB land there are photos of the Fullerton car with the rear section of the roof in the raw, a ton of sheet metal work but worth the effort. Several years ago Street Rodder featured what I think was the Fullerton car?

 

Busy as you guys mention could be an understatement. I think I may have a sickness.

 

One more for the road, with a light coating of 2015 Bakersfield dust. Think this is a Sledge car?

 

Yep, you may have! I think I see some GM products in the herd. What were you thinking?

 

Haha. I’m probably more of a GM guy than anything. My dad worked for them for 28 years, my brother works for them now, and I worked for them a while. I grew up with only GM cars.

 

Inspiration for ya, music sucks.

 

Very cool. Love your plans for it. What drive train are you planning. Just the regular generic budget street rod stuff or something more in keeping with the old styling of the build?

 

Number 1 car on the list of Kustoms that absolutely have to be chopped!

 

So lemme get this straight @guthriesmith , allegedly you “ accidentally “ bought a 1940 mercury ? I’m beginning to think you done gone off the rails man. Lol

 

No generic sbc in this. I have a 40 Merc flathead, but am also considering a y-block or maybe a nailhead.