Customs How far am I over my head (1951 Merc 4dr sedan)

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The ***le of your post asks; "How far am I over my head?", to which no one has really answered.

My answer is you are WAY OVER YOUR HEAD and your expectations are totally unrealistic. First off, you are 26 years old, no car experience, probably no tools, and you want to jump off and spend upwards of $65K on a custom car you would be lucky to ever get 50% back.... additionally, you are broke and have 3 young kids (your profile)... WOW!

I hate to be the one to piss in your Cherrios, but someone needs to be realistic here.

I suggest you buy a $5K driver in the year era you like, gain some pleasure, knowledge and experience keeping it on the road for a few years and spend less than say $2K per year. During this time, your ideas and desires will most likely change/evolve... then, go from there.

Good Luck!
X

 

You are correct I have no experience and next to know tools for what I am needing to do. Yes according to my profile I am broke and have 3 kids. The three kids part is true the broke part was just my attempt at humor. I actually have an outstanding job (Contractor for the Government) that pays me quite well. So as far as money is concerned it is an object but the figures that I posted are completely realistic.

But I agree it does appear that I am way over my head but Ill ask you this. If I don't start now will it ever get better? My thoughts are no. The longer I wait to get into customizing my own cars the harder it will be. I am also aware that some of the most dangerous words are "one day i'll do this". In my experience and observations from my friends and family is that the people who say "one day I'll do that" that "one day" never comes around and I do no want that to happen to me.

I appreciate your concern but I am financially sound and I will not be spending my family into poverty I ***ure on that. The advice you gave is sound and I will take it under advi*****t. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

 

Thank you I will definitely keep that in mind and congrats on getting your vehicle this far!

 

Bob, that is some great advice and I will definitely use some of it. My only problem about looking at a car in person is I am having a hard time finding one in my area (Oklahoma). I have found two that I like one being in California and the Other Michigan, but listening to your advice I think I should keep shopping because I know I am going to want a chopped top and neither of them have one. Thanks for taking the time to reply and I appreciate the advice!

 

To some extent, I'd agree with 999. But obviously you can afford the best of both worlds here. Buy a good running custom of choice for a little less than your 35k budget. Then go out and find a project to spend some invaluable shed time building. Best part of any build is in the shed. Stamp your name it, kudos is what kudos does.

 

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OK... glad you cleared some of that up. By the way, yes I agree, you should start your project sooner rather than later.

However, I still strongly recommend that you start with a small investment in order to get to know this hobby/sport from the ground up. Otherwise there's a good chance you'll be stuck with a very expensive albatross that you will have a hard time getting rid of for anything close to what you have invested in it. And, you may also grow to hate the very thing you once so greatly desired.

By purchasing an inexpensive driver (not necessarily an 51' Merc to start with), learning how to work on it and keep it on the road, you will learn to appreciate and understand what you are really trying to accomplish. Take one step at a time (your eyes are currently way bigger than your stomach). Additionally, as you gain experience and understanding, I can almost guarantee that your tastes will change/evolve to something other that what you have in mind currently (again try to avoid the expensive albatross thing).

By starting with an inexpensive driver, you should be able to foster some friendships with local motorheads and more experienced folks in the hobby and thus leverage off of their knowledge and talents. This, along with the acquisition of some tools and some actual experience from working on your driver should help you avoid dragging an expensive *******ized trailer-queen from hotrod shop to hotrod shop and reteatedly getting the shaft run up your ***.

Bottom line, there's no need to jump off into the deep end (i.e. initially spending a wad of cash) when you can't even tread water (i.e. zero experience). By taking a more realistic approach, you have a much better chance of surviving, appreciating and enjoying this sport for the long haul.

I'm now stepping down from the soapbox.

Best of luck!

Regards,
X

 

Now is a great time to buy a finished custom. Prices are lower than they have been in years. That includes 49-51 Mercs. The Merc that was $100K 3 years ago is now $55K. Just last week there was a finished 51 Merc custom convertible on ebay for $49K. It looked really nice. Also, don't let being in OK slow you down from looking at cars. Eeven if you have to fly out of your area , it's worth it to get what you want. Never buy a car without seeing it first hand. You can also have an appraiser in the area go look at it for you for a fee. I did that once for $150. Also, fellow HAMBers can take a look at it for you.

 

Sounds like you have a plan

 

I find it strange when people say "buy the nicest you can afford" or "buy one already finished for that kind of money". How are you supposed to ever learn anything that way? My automotive beginnings were not with HAMB friendly cars, but I think my experiences is something that will relate.

I myself love project vehicles. The rougher the better. For me, it is all about the build more so than actually driving it. My thought is that no one here was born with the skills and knowledge that they have today. Use your Merc as a learning tool. That's what I did with my first project car. It was never finished btw. Learn some new skills, acquire some tools, and make some new friends along the way. If you never finish it, big deal... life goes on. Every person here has had a car they never finished I bet.


One thing I did when starting out was by learning on things that wasn't part of the project I was working on. I'm not sure on your skill set, but if you can't weld you're not going to get very far. I use to go to the junkyard and get old body parts to learn on. That's how I learned how to make patch panels, painting, and other body work skills.

As long as you keep your questions TRADITIONAL hot rod related, most of the guys here on the board are more than willing to help you out along the way. Hopefully you aren't too thin skinned though, some on here aren't the nicest group at times

Good luck,

Ed

 

Really good advice flowing here. Yep, I bought the proverbial ford years ago out of a field (1938 Tudor) and realized as a newb I was underwater. Sold it for what I paid for it and moved on. I agree with the guys who state get a driver you can work on and learn from. If you've got the bucks, buy the fam a nice more door cruiser to take to the sock hop and have the merc in your garage patiently waiting. Nobody said you could only have one car. Lots of great neglected family cruisers out there under 5k that would love to become your cl***room.

 

I agree with most of what everyone is saying... I bought my olds running and driving and pretty solid, I'm slowly changing things and making it mine. You dont HAVE to build your car from something you found in the woods... I hate guys that get all full of them selves because they think they are better because they started with a rust bucket. I mean good on them, but it doenst make it any better, it just means you have the time, tools and skill to do that. I didnt have the time or tools and I enjoy driving mine wayyyy to much! I get all the satisfaction I need adding my special touch and especially driving it! I enjoy driving it so much that I cant exactly get my self to completely tear it down yet. Mine was partially restored in the early 90s... I say look for something along that line even if it has ugly wheels and paint you can change that. What matters is if its solid, complete, and runs and drives. But if youd like to know what kind of merc you can get for around $30k, here is the one my grandpa bought a few years back at a Good Guys event in NC. He customized his own cars when he was young but now that hes older he wanted something mostly done with all the "grandpa" features, power steering, AC and what not. This car runs like a champ with a bored over 355 chevy motor, and has all the bells and whistles

 

You're right.... sort of.

I was saying that by no means is the OP over his head. He should use that Merc to help toward the skill set that many others here have. The best thing about a "rust bucket" is if you screw it up, big deal!!! In no way is his Merc a "rust bucket" though.

There is also a great deal of self satisfaction in learning something new and to be able to say "I did that".

If you're just looking for a car to drive or show off....... pay someone else to do or find a better car ...... but I say jump in, learn something new, and enjoy the experience.

Ed

 

if you can join a car club with guys who like the same type cars in your case 40 50 60s look at what they have and find out if a case of beer on given weekends can get some work done you will learn alot and get your feet yet. a merc might be a big project first car might think pickup do it than sell and do the merc anyway good luck.

 

Without a doubt....buy one that's done! You can buy very well nowadays. There are a lot of cars out there for sale. Definitely enlist the services of someone who knows what to look for. Their fee will pay for itself....think about it for a minute. Don't get taken by a smoothie salesman . Shop around on carsonline.com, Hemings motor news, check out auction sites. You will pay far less and be driving now! not five years from now! Good luck, have fun with it.

 

Agreed... And yes it is awesome to be able to say I did that, just know your own skill level and dont end up wasting a **** ton of money. Also agree with the whole car club deal... even if you're not a member, hang around and soak up all you can. You also meet some awesome people!

 

Bycrofbl: Don't be fooled. If you don't have the time, talent, skills, knowledge and equipment to build a car from a rust bucket to a finished car, BUY ONE THAT YOU LIKE THAT IS DONE or at least a nice daily driver. Nothing will be more discouraging than buying a rusty hulk that doesn't run only to discover that YOU REALLY ARE in way over your head and are going to have to sink a ton of money into it just to get it to "driver" condition. And then you have to spend even more money to customize it. What frequently happens then, is that the "build" turns into a never completed project or a "basket case" that you end up selling at a huge loss. Don't let you ego out run your brain and empty your wallet. I think we all would be amazed at how much money HAMBERS with 49-51 Mercs have spent on their cars.

 

Yeah, I don't think that I am going to get a rusted out Hulk I am definitely going to get one that is drivable and decent looking for sure. I may not be able to get all the customizations that I want but I will at least make sure that it has a straight body and is rust free.

 

Also, when you go look at a car for sale, bring someone with you who is a "car person" and can help you critique the car before buying. Most 49-51 Mercs are lowered so it's really difficult to see the underside of the car. It is essential to put the car on a lift to look at structual and rust issues. Good inner rockers are a must. Lastly, never look at a car at night.