NO. NO. NO. The straight lines in that light have NO PLACE on a round, smooth car like a Merc. Just WRONG.
I agree, those 95 Caddy lights really fit the quarter panel shape. My 51 Merc has frenched, stock 51 Merc lights that are slightly repositioned. The stock 51 Merc tail lights sit low IMO.
Me and my dad both have 51 Mercs. Mine has 49 Ford tail lights sunken and mounted vertically which is fairly common I think so no need to repost, but my dad's car has these which are custom made frames and glass. I'm not saying they are the best...just adding options to the thread.
Yes, go for late 70's Ford as well as 95 Cad taillights. And while doing that: Why not include a console made out of plywood, a tweed interior, a billet engine and a neon paintjob with graphics... Please guys, never forget what HAMB is about: "Spread the gospel of traditional Hot Rods and Kustoms"
Are these really the stock ones? So used to see them with custom tails that i dont remember how a stock one looks! LOL Whatever they are i think they look better than most ive seen. And Skirv, damn man, these are real jaw droppers, n head skratchers too Pure class. And also Pro stock John 53 Chrysler units look rather good in there.
I like those custom ones on Skirv's green example, I'd be going nuts trying to figure out what they were on.... I had to change mine and wanted some that were as nice as the factory tails but my rule has been not to put stock parts back on the car.
Here is what I'm running. Try to think out of the norm, step away from traditonal thinking and you will come up with a kool idea. Everything hasn't been done. Happy Trails, Mick
What are those Mick? they sure nice. And whats that "bumper guard"? and i dont mean the hot chick, it looks like a air tank with a frenched plate insert but i seem to remember you rolling static?
I didn't want a taillight to take away from the peaked rear fenders. I love that rear fender body line. Also If I could mount the taillights low it would make the Merc seem lower. I was going through my library and found a '52 Caddy that had done something similar to this. If it looked good on the Caddy it would have to look good on a Merc. The bumper is a '52 Caddy and I cut the taillights into the bumperettes. I mounted a taillight and covered it with red Plexiglass. Our original plan was not to cut the bumper, I messed up and was off in my measuring by an inch. So we had to do something. Randy Segar came up with the frenched bumper idea and I think it works. Eventually the tag will be moved to the middle of the bumper and it will contour to match. I have 50 Caddy bumper guards that will eventually be mounted beside the plate. Happy Trails, Mick
You're right about that. I, like any good custom guy, am stealing your idea. I'm picking up my '51 Caddy bumper at the Roundup. I'll be picking your brain to see where I need to cut it.
Here are mine they are custom made for me by MATT TOWNSEND. He does outstanding work. They will be bolted to a 54 mercury bumper that has also been reworked to fit the 51 mercury. Notice the mercury head that he made inside the lens.
You may not think they are not the best, but I'd put them right up there ! Frenched stock lites look good as do the 54 Merc (frenched). Don't know the cost , but the tailites done by Matt Townsend for john51mer are just spectacular !
Those 53 Chrysler tailights are top drawer Bob Hirohata used to make tailights (he did the ones for the Jack Stewart Ford) You have no idea how grateful us guys outside of the USA are for the HAMB. We see things on here that we don't even know exists and then with the internet we can actually buy this stuff. When I built my Merc in 87 i had to write to people in America and they would send me photos they had to get developed showing me how to do stuff. it took ages. On the one hand I miss those days but on the other you can photoshop your build before doing it and tweak it before cutting steel here's the Caddy bullet holes
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