Customs Carson Top 49 merc 4dr to 2dr convershion

looking good

 

No you are correct, We have made this one one piece. But you can still round the corners of the hood and still keep the fenders And upper grill apron seperate but you would see that ugly seam so on most kustoms it is usally not done that way.

 

I would really enjoy seeing a tech on how to build that carson fibergl*** top

 

Great build nice

 

Thanks for the reply!

I thought it might be simply aesthetic, but I didn't know if there was more to it.

Keep the updates coming! This thing kicks ***!

 

A few more pics of the gas tank installed & trunk. The gas filler will be mounted inside the trunk. It will be mounted flush with a hinged door on an side pannel we will be making soon.

 

Since our last post we have rounded the lower trunk corners only on this one. We also add a set of kustom made wrap around bubble style tail lights. We lowered them 1.75" from the stock location and added a steel frenching ring to the body.

Next week we plan to be installing the 1953 Desoto grille but are still waiting on the lower desoto pan we bought from Ken here on the hamb to show up.

 

Wow,that looks good!! Killer work man!!

 

Do you make the bubble tail lights yourself?

 

You can easily shape up a top out of foam like what is used in surfboards. Once you get the look and fit you want gl*** it and then remove the foam. Sounds simple and it is but it is also alot of work. Hope this will help you out with the making of your custom top.

 

Finally got a very good 52-53 Desoto lower grille apron to work with thanks to Ken here on the hamb. I have this 55 Desoto grille already shortened & reprofiled to fit another 49 merc but this customers is not going to be using it. So it could be used on the carson top 49 merc instead of the 53 Desoto grille that was planed. My question is what grille do you think would look best in the carson top 49 merc the 53 or the 55 Desoto ????

 

No one willing to give there opion on what grille would look better ????

 

I would go with the 55.

 

the one with all the teeth and bumper air dams

 

Your work is like choosing between Marylin Monroe and Sofia Loren for the old guys, Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra for us 30+somethings, and for the youg young guys Magan Fox and Angelina Jolie..

They both look AWESOME!! I don't see to many of the MERC builders respond to your work.. Hmmm, wonder why that is...

 

I think the '53's might fill the opening a bit better and have a less angular look which I feel suits the front end treatment of the Carson topped car. The '55 looked good in the other car. A bit more agressive looking.

I think the biggest reason is Rick's builds really skirt the edge of what this site is about. They are not really traditional and therefore don't really fit in with what most custom guys on this site are in to. This is not meant to start a "what is traditional arguement" as that has been beat to death
on this site I mearly make the comment to add my insight into why I don't think Rick's post get as much attention as others.

 

hey rick are those 55 pontiac split bumpers on the merc that has the 55 grill in it. i love the quality of your work i cnt wait to see her hit the road

 

I'm not sure which one is the 53 and which is the 55, but i like the one on the left.

 

The 55 looks perfect!

 

53 grill always looks best of the two in a Merc. The Merc opening is too narrow for the 55. But then I have both and will probably go back to the Merc grill for now.

Neal

 

I've always had a love affair with the 53's but I think the 55 would keep people guessing a little longer as to it's orgins. But like I told you before you guys can do no wrong in my eye's. I love everything you do!

Keep em coming. Hope to see ya at Santa Maria this year.

 

After looking at that 55 Plymouth grill in your other thread, I'd go nuts if you didn't put that in my car. Looks like something from outer space but fits the look so well.

 

K13,

I havent been on this website long enough to know about the "traditional arguement" posts of the past. But I think Rick's work is bordering on genius. He pushes the envelope. His creativity should be admired, and respected along the lines of past and new builders who attempted new things, such as a Roth, and Foose. I know I am biased because I have Rick building my Traditional Full Kustom Merc. '53 Kaiser bumper guard, '53 Pontiac front bumper, "55 Packard rear bumper/bumperguards, 58 Corvette grill, and "55 Pontiac side spears, doesnt get more traditional than that.

I think anyone can build a traditional Merc because it's been done already. It's Ricks Honesty, ( He told me to sell my Merc, because it was badly rusted and needed a lot of work, how many builders would do that? ),a nd very fair pricing that has Rick working on my Merc. My original 6K bag job has now turned into a 20+K job, with paint and body work to be done in a couple of years. When its all said and done Ricks honesty, and attention to detail is going to eventually get Rick 30+ K of my hard earn dough, plus a life time of friendship.

Thats why Rick is a Great builder.

 

Money well spent! I like the hands on approach myself but if I had to farm it out Rick would be one of the few I'd go to. Good luck with the project!

 

Rick
The merc looks great. If anyone else needs a set of the 55 olds fender/headlight surrounds like Rick's, I have a pair for sale. The pic below is Rick's merc; PM me if you want pics or price. Then just call Rick and he can work his magic.

 

Wow you have the fenders also. I usally have to fab up that part so I am very interested, please Pm me with the price. Your merc is looking good and moving right along. Do you have a finish date ?
Thanks, Rick

 

I think you've welded the bumpers into the apron. That is an awsome look!
I don't remember ever seeing that before. I would have been worried it looked to modern, but that is "CUSTOM"

 

No no and no, The bumpers are not welded to the apron. What you see are temperary 3/16" thick spacing blocks tack welded to the bumper. That is one of our tricks that help us get a nice even gap around things like bumpers.

 

I would go with the '55 grill in that '49 Merc- it goes well with the '55 Olds lights...