My '51 Merc, can you help me out...

You are wrong. There is nothing worse than old corvette nuts. There are more of those that have never owned one than you can imagine. And most of them are real smart asses. Been there ,done that (never again) Thanks, BOBBY FORD

 

Dude, do what you like, it's your car.

 

I'm with you on that one bobby, corvette people are the worst, they will be all over you when they feel your car is not up to their standards, "I can see this is not a numbers matching car...", "you know those are not the original wheels", "those are aftermarket seat covers, right?" jeez...I hated that. Once the wife was done with her corvette phase, I couldn't get rid of the car fast enough...been there, done that also.

 

Most traditionalists, especially 50's style folks, would prefer the 49-50 rear window over the 51 window I have noticed. Are there other windows that folks use? While I really don't want to dig into my car quite to that level, I certainly can appreciate the aesthetics of a smaller window that does not dominate the back so much.

All in all, while I like some folk's taillights better than mine it's not a big deal to me.

Has the hood on my car been modified, ie. just shaved or has it been nosed or layed back? I see some bodywork on the underside that makes me want to dig into it.

How mint are y'alls cars, like awesome everywhere or are some cars kinda decent but not like super show quality? How about your door jambs and stuff like that?

 

buddy, save yourself the grief and just sell your merc to me.

trust me, it's your only option

 

I'm going to clue you in real quick. I guarantee that at least one person that is telling you how to build your car on here, doesn't even own a "traditional" car. Either that or he's never built anything but a birdhouse.

But to answer the question, the cars vary greatly on here. There are some guys with Riddler winners and some with piles of parts that shouldn't be anywhere near a street. I like to think that I fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. Nothing I have right now is nice, but I feel that overall the work I do on my own cars is halfway decent.

You need to go with your gut, not what JohhnyRatRod29 says. You will get a million opinions and while some may open your eyes, others will carry no weight. Its your job to sift through the BS.

 

You can use three windows in my book.49 3 peice,50 and 51...Thats it..I know alot of guys dont like 51 windows in chopped 51s but it never bothered me none if they are positioned right.

 

Oh and your hood is nosed and rounded!

 

Merc windows on Mercs! Usually when somebody tries to be "unique" and puts a different window in,it looks bad! Stick with a Merc window.
Don't get discouraged with the opinions you get on the HAMB. Just filter out the crap and write down the stuff that benifits your goal. There's more great guys on here than assholes.

 

LOL guys I like the feedback. I don't mind if someone makes a direct comment, that's why I'm on the HAMB.

On a different note, I like radials way more than bias ply tires, and a friend is trying to get me to drive the Merc on the Hot Rod Power Tour... Might do it.

 

Radial WW's are definately more forgiving on a long drive,and smoother. I wouldn't put them on a Hotrod though! 215-75-15's

 

Okay, so do any repop hubcaps that look good on the car fit without mods? I don't have time to modify a set of Caddy Sombrero stock hubcaps. I'd rather go reproduction since I'm sure it costs big $ to restore hubcaps.

 

There are lots of good looking caps, and all you need to do is put them on as long as they're the same size of the wheel. All you need are some steel wheels, paint em to match the car, and install the caps of your choice. Caddy caps are 15", which are what you should run on the Merc to fill out the wheel opening. Listen to Bad Bob on the tire size. It's my opinion that radials are fine on a custom since you'll never see most of the tire. However, definite no-no in a rod. You can find yourself a nice set of caps for less than $300, which is definitely less than most rims cost

 

Is that Merc one of these?

 

For some reason on here people tend to assume "everyone on the HAMB" prefers bias plys. Usually people who havent been here that long.

That said, age old...bias looks great, but radials ride great, and for the look difference it isnt worth sacrificing the ride quality.

 

Pro Stock, what size are the wheels that show now in your photo? 14"? I wasn't sure but I heard Mercs with too wide subframes use 14"wheels (not the desired 15" wheels). The reason being the smaller wheel is need to just not hit the fender. Can someone clarify this?

 

PSJ, If you get the chance to go on the Tour, DO IT!!! I took me Galaxie (pictured) on the 2006 Power Tour and it was an awesome experience. People are great and theres nothin better than a car show on the road. A total difference than going to a car show that most of the entrants drove about 20 miles to get there and thats all they ever get. Hope to do it again soon in my Merc. DO IT!!!! ETHER

 

I've been running bias ply slicks and dot's on my race cars for years, I'll keep radials on the Merc. I'll get the tires sizes and post them tomorrow.

 

Current tire size is 205-75-15.

 

I will agree with what every one else said... Im not a hardcore bias guy ive run both but im a wheel tire nazi. and radials have no buisness on any custom. Thats just my opinion. and i had them on a custom and it ruined the whole car i think......

Now as far as research and learning what was going on during what era i would suggest a book.... "The American Custom Car" by Pat Ganahl

Great book covering the history of customs and tons of merc stuff in it.

I think you got a nice car there the chop is real nice and if ya stick to it i think it will really be a headturner...

 

i think the best advice is just build the car for yourself you will know what is the right part for the car the best .look for merc if you dont already and find things you like about them and then chang them to your style looking good keep going with her

 

Yup, so I will be doing wide white radials, stockish bumpers, refinish the current grill, remove the lakepipes, and go from there. I'm planning to repaint the car in the next 12 months. I think I will keep it SBC for now.

 

Those are the same size I run on my Merc.

 

Mine too!

 

Okay I'm still in winterville but have been working up my to-do list.

1) Off go the lake pipes.
2) Found a 49-50 front bumper I have to go drive a bit and get it. Are the bumper bolts real special or can I source local replacements? How much to typically rechrome bumper like this, $350? Will that also include fixing it up a bit if it needs it? I would love some brackets if anyone has any for sale that would make it easier to get it onto my modified front end.
3) Okay, rear bumper. I'm undecided I'm thinking of going to a '51 rear they look cool, but is that extra part of the bumper that sits on top of the bumper bolted to it, or part of the bumper itself? Would it look bad without that upper part? I'd still consider a 49-50 rear too I guess whatever I can find.
4) Tires, well I'm going to run the same as Ether's, I will order in a couple of weeks.
5) I'm keeping my current hubcaps for now.
6) I'm keeping my taillights for now, I like the more trad styles but I also like running ones that nobody else seems to have too.
7) I'm trying to decide whether I repaint the car and fix a few body issues first, or do the interior next. Anyone know offhand how pricey it can get to do the interior? Anyone sell Merc specific interior stuff? I'm going to keep buckets in front I don't like bench seats.
8) I want to add an external gas filler door once I repaint. This current setup is a pain.

If anyone has a nice Merc custom in Chicago, I've love to check out a few other cars. I'm trying to figure out if one or two bodywork issues I am seeing are due to how the cars are from the factory or due to work on my car. I'm very interested in seeing a shot if a rear inner fender, the front part, ie. between the axle and the interior... I see some interesting sheetmetal in there and I wonder what stock looks like.

Also anyone using remotes to activate opening the doors?

 

I'd show you my merc only its in storage till spring. when I bring it home I have some fun changes planned that I will share with the HAMB.

 

You are on your way!

Check out some 51s online, Id be tempted to cut that bogus panel out behind the trunk and run a 51 style bumper. That looks wierd with the blade bumper on it.

Tail lites are different, but different aint always good. But slow and steady wins the race, and it looks like you are making a ton of changes already!

 

heres my dads, he has quite a few mods on it. sellimg for a reasonable price if anyone is interested

 

That's what I'm talking about, that center bracket that goes around the plate.

I'm not wedded to my custom rear surround/pan, so who's got a '51 rear bumper holla!

 

Okay got a great lead on a '51 rear bumper, I hope it comes together.

I think I am going to do the interior, so I've been spending a few hours looking for interior shots. Rudy's on Rikster's site looks pretty awesome:

http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_..._cars/49-50_mercury_custo/rudys-1951-mercury/

I'd like to do something that is traditional for the 50's not 60's, any other pics to look at? And would white/parchment/off white be the predominant color, and it would be rolled and pleated?