Hey Folks, This is my first post on HAMB, but it really seems to be the website for a guy like me with a car like mine. I have a 1950 Merc that i am resto/modding and i really like the look of the 50 grill with the center section removed and additional bars added. Is there any known way to do this? I have seen it on a lot of mercs, but never in person to ask. Do i need to buy another section and cut it up to fit in the middle? I really want to keep the 50 grille, but lose the big bulky center. Thoughts? Thanks John
There's a guy in the classified section right now who has a grille with the center section just like you describe, you could buy that one or at least find out where he got his center piece from. No reason you couldn't buy another grille and make a center section, although the grille does have some peak to it so it wouldn't be as easy as just cutting a piece out to fit in between, I think you'd have to have about 2 inches of a RH and 2 of a LH grille to widen it.
Welcome. A Merc grille in a Merc, thats about like putting a Ford engine in a Ford. What's wrong, can't you find a DeSoto grille? Jack
Yeah right? I am doing this merc in a way that satisfies every pet-peeve i have about restored/custom mercs. First example is the damn Chevy 350/350 combo....can't stand it. Another thing is those teardrop front headlights...and of course desoto (and others) grills. I did see the grill in the classifieds, but i figured it would be rude to ask a guy trying to sell something where he got the goods. JMHO. Is the grill metal easy to weld? Any tricks to it? I just dont want to ruins it in the process. Thanks for the info guys...keep up the good work!
Thanks Jack. I'm looking to make mine a bit different than everyone elses. I bought the car with a junk flattie in it, so i am going modern on the drivetrain. I am going to run a 3-valve 4.6 mod motor with IDF-style stack fuel injection and matching OD transmission. I plan on DRIVING this thing all over, so i want good mileage, good performance, and for my wife's sake, no hot start carbureted problems
just for your information, 49 merc grilles are polished stainless and 50 grilles are chromed sheet metal.
This is the reason i joined the HAMB! This is good to know. I have 50 grilles, so i should be able to weld them after i clean them up. Thanks jambottle!!
We made one for my father-in law for his Merc from two grilles- one that was stock and one 'donor'. I have some old magazines that listed JC Whitney selling a replacement center section, but I have not seen anyone re-making this part. Unfurtunately, I can't remember exactly what we did, but I remember taking specific "bars" from the donor grill and welding them in to the stock grill. It turned out awesome, so if you need details, I can try to figure it out this weekend.
Gotta love JC Whitney...they discontinue things like that but keep the dumb hood ornaments and the lead pellets for radiator repair. LOL. Any info on this mod would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to go buying parts i don't need and cutting with reckless abandon . If you have a moment to gather some info for me that would be great! I must say...i have been a member of Stangnet.com which is a Mustang Forum ('89 Notchback 9 second drag car ) for 8 years, and I have never received such helpful advice and genuinely good people as i have in a week on the HAMB. Thanks!
I've been on various Mustang and GM boards for a long time too, and the HAMB is extremely helpful, one of the best boards period. I had a local friend express interest in my grill, but if he passes I'll let you know. I could make ship it to Woohsta. I am from Quincy back in the day.
Yes please let me know for sure about the grill. I would definately throw you a few bucks for it. It looks nice, and i need my bumpers rechromed anyways, so i could just send out with them. Yeah i'm a bit inland from quincy...nice area...but a little too close to the hustle and bustle of the city. Besides...i don't know of any place in Quincy i can fit a huge garage Let me know about the grill John. Thanks!
You need to check out the HAMB Merc Club,thread! I put together a list of all the guys on the HAMB with Mercurys. I'll put you on the list!!! It's for questions,pic's,builds,parts,cars,etc. Check it out!!! And welcome to the HAMB!!!
I di mine with pieces I bought from "Mr Merc".Dont know if he's still around,but it wasnt that hard,just took time to line everything up.
Mine is a 49 s/s,parts cut from extra grille where they bolt to the center piece spot welded to a s/s flat then polished.-----TwoChops
Sorry for the delay- we did it just like twochops did it above. It was time consuming, but not rocket science. I'll see If I can take some pics soon.
Good info! I will have to get crackin'. The grills are pretty inexpensive if the chrome is junk, so i'll start looking around. Thanks guys!
Did you check out the HAMB Merc Club thread yet? There's everything you need to know on there,or at least 170 guys who know whatever info you are looking for about Mercurys!
Welcome Mario, another cool Merc. is always welcome here. Hook up on that Merc. club list of Bob's, big help for you!!~Sololobo
seems like you could make up a merc grille out of a piece of pipe with slots cut into it? maybe not perfect but it could be close.
If you wher able to find one of these I dont think the proces would still be the same.... Barris Catalog...
Thanks Bob. I am going to go check it out right now! I did join the HAMB social group of Massachusetts Didn't know there were so many nice customs hidden around my state. Real quick funny story: Me and my wife were on our way to Thanksgiving dinner. Out of nowhere a 49-50 Merc coupe passed us going the opposite direction. No bumpers, no grill, but looked to be all there. What did this HAMBer do? Spun the CR-V around and began to follow him.....for about 5 miles. He stopped at a Hess to fuel up and like a creepy stalker, i pulled in behind him and we went up to his car. He said he thought we might be an exgirlfriend following him, the way we spun it around on him. LOL! Turned out to be a cool guy, and after 10 minutes of talking we showed up "socially late" to dinner
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