Projects My 1951 Mercury Restoration

Mine are bigger than the pencil tips, but not quite as big as a echo cans.....not to mention they stick out to far and are too low below the bumper. But, hey, it's the way I got it and I haven't gotten around to fixing it. Anyway, might give you a bit of an idea.

 

High, tight, and out of sight!!!!!!! Tipped down right in front of the rear bumper for me.

 

I like them out of sight too, thanks for the pic. I guess it depends on how much I lower it, and whether tucking the exhaust up is (a) feasible and (b) adds to the floating look in the back.

 

Hello John. Nice looking Merc. I have not gone through the entire thread so can I assume it has a LSX motor?

 

Not yet, it supposedly has a near new SBC crate engine, and it's carbed. The bodywork/re paint took so long that I put off the LSx conversion indefinitely. But I can see doing one.

 

high, tight and out of site looks good to me as well.

 

The problem with the exhaust pointing down is that it kicks up all the dust/grass clippings/leaves and crud anytime you back up at all. My 35 is constantly covered in a light coating of the previously mentioned because I back into the garage instead of pulling straight in. In Oklahoma during the summertime, its constant dust, so no amount of sweeping or washing the driveway would take care of it.

Hopefully this helps you or somebody somewhere.

Ill make sure the exhaust exits straight out the back next time.

 

no exhaust showing john, looks way better in my book.

 

Updates?

 

Not seen exhaust? Damn, this keeps getting worse. In my muscle car days, loud angle cut big chrome tips validated all the money you just spent on a new dual setup, then with Mercs you had to run more tasteful tips, now none? That's like buying an iced out necklace and keeping it under your t shirt!

Never gave much thought to unseen exhaust but I would guess it looks clean. I would just always panic thinking I ripped off a pipe somewhere.

 

Well my exhaust is going to show.
Don't really need to do my build to some imaginary textbook.

 

Update is... Merc funds are low for the time being so I'm not doing much to it until I can. I'll post some nice pics when I get a chance.

 

Are you driving it around yet?

 

Mine are kinda hidden but some days after working on it I feel like running them into the passenger compartment.

 

Not driving it, the glass has to be put in it.

 

I haven't updated this resto thread for a while, so here is a brief catchup. So with the car trending to a late fall finish date with the paint, I didn't feel like I've been in much of a hurry to get it on the road. As it stands, it has snowed here in Chicago and we've seen some use of road salt. I've kept the car in storage as I pondered the decisions I have to make.

On the one hand I want to just get the damn glass in the car, but on the other hand I'm still thinking about the window trim. My car didn't have any trim, so I've bought stock stuff for the front and rear windows, and that edge trim stuff for the side windows. I'm not too worrried about what I use on the sides, I can always take that stuff off easily and swap it.

The rear window... well I'm not in love with the stock stainless. I like how the lower trim looks in the Rudy 1951 Mercury out of Southern California, as shown in pics taken by Bab Bob in 2005 at a QE2 show. So I want to find out definitely how he did his, or try to do something similar.

Pic from Rik's site:






So once I've got that figured out, as far as a plan, I will then get/put the glass in the car, and then focus on the hubcaps and the front grille. I have all the parts to construct a floating grille like the Sam Barris Mercury. I even have extra parts for the back of it, since I think that grille is using two sets of that ridged rear trim.

The interior is something I'll figure out in 2010.

 

I thought I read that Bob was going to call Rudy for you?

 

Tail pipes on a custom Merc!

 

Bob is not sure he has Rudy's contact info, would you know how to get hold of him Jeff?

 

http://fullertonfabrications.com

 

Yep that is for sure and the first time I saw that bumper in 1961 it had tips sticking out under it just about the same as it does now in the photo in the post yesterday. Plus I hate the noise and concussion of pipes exiting under a car. That gets real tiresome on road trips.

 

Thanks Rik. I left a message, don't see an email listed for the shop.

I will definitely run the exhaust out to the rear bumper, probably those pencil rolled tips unless something else pops up.

 

I had a nice chat with Rudy of Fullerton Fabrications:

www.fullertonfabrications.com

Rudy built that 1951 Mercury in the late 80's and sold it a while ago. When Bob snapped the pics it was already in the hands of the current owner.

So to the guy who answered truck windshield trim... ding ding ding we have a winner. He said 1978 Dodge truck windshield trim. He used the stock trim for the sides and top.

Rudy you are great guy thanks! (sent him a link to the thread).

 

Looks like this stuff down the bottom:

http://www.jimsautoparts.com/truck_weatherstripping.htm

 

Starting point:





In my possession:







Rik Hoving Photoshop rendering:



Where I am as of 12.14.10:

 

I'm jealous...you are further along than me! Great JOB!!!

 

Beautiful. It's such a HUGE improvement on that car. Simply awesome.

 

Thanks guys.

Next two items:
1) Glass installed.

2) Floating grille. I sold the Desoto grille, and having a custom floating grille made for the car.

After that, I'll sort out the interior but I might not do that until next fall so I can drive thing around.

 

John, You are one patient guy. I'd be driving that thing by now without glass!

Have you got the wheel covers sorted out yet? Those '53 Studes might look good with copper centers.

 

I'm curiously addicted to windshields and we have road salt on the ground so I'll have to wait until next year.

I have a pile of 1953-1955 Studebaker hubcaps, about 10, but have yet to find two really mint ones to use for the front. Am still looking.

I have a a set of aftermarket caps I got from Jeffery James, I forget what they look like I'll have to dig them out. None are show quality enough for me either, I'm getting way too picky.

I'm wondering if 1954-1955 Cadillac hubcaps would fit without modifications, those look a bit interesting.

All in all, I'm very open to also running a set of older Sombrero style hubcaps, but 'caps are #3 on my exterior list right now.

Any suggestions? I don't want to run anything made after 1955.