He's been on the hunt for one of these for decades and one like we used to find in the '70s FINALLY showed up. We have always liked clean cars that were not fully restored- just pampered originals with just enough were to tell you it's the real thing. Found this one on Father's day and I INSTANTLY knew it was the one! One repaint over the original done decades ago- all original paint on the perfect dash and in the jambs and under the hood and in the trunk. All the factory grease pencil marks are on the firewall and the thing is spotless EVERYWHERE! All the trim is super nice and the flathed runs like a swiss watch. It's a manual with overdrive just like my dad always wanted. It's got a few chips and scratches, but just enough that you don't have to worry about making the first one. Didn't think he would ever find the "right" one- but here it is. He's actually considering selling some of his early cars (putt putt stockers) now to make room for this one.
That's one sweet looking Merc. Should be fun to cruise around in. Certainly turn a few heads I reckon. Tell him Congrates on the find. Cheers, Glenn
Gonna start small with some square headlights, then a Volare clip and then after all the trim is in the dumpster it might be time to chop the top and add a T-Tops
Wheels are already red- what shade of black primer do you think is the BEST? Hope to make some Viva coverage next year if we can make it ugly enuff.
That car is worthy of your dad's photo album...I am sure he had pics of that car in there before the car cooled down from driving it home...What ever happened with the truck cab you picked up at my place?...Haven't seen anything about building it...EVILT
The cab is safely in the shop, the truck chassis is done (ran in Custom Classic Trucks) and I have gathered all the nice sheetmetal to make it happen- should be on it strong VERY soon!
Been done, to a four door turned into a three door. Candy Red over silver metalflake with lots of Lowrider style fill in all the panels graphicks and den of iniquity interior. I'm sure you've seen it. It's been around for a decade or more. Nice five-one Jim.
great car! that is a beautiful merc.the previous owner was thinking about trading it for my friends chopped merc a couple weeks ago.. lucky that didnt go through!!! heres a couple of pics that my friend sent me of the car when the guy was thinkin about trading.
Wow, great find, JimA! Dont know what the plans for it are (I seem to remember that your old man was into restoring Model As), but I would go very gentle on this one. It looks cooler than a shitload of kustom Mercs I have seen the way it sits (there is 10 bad kustom-mercs for every really cool one; -a sad consequence of it being the ultimate kustom. I think your Merc is cool in a "L.A. Confidential" kind of way. Put the Ithaka-pumps in the trunk and grab a coffee on the Nightowl Cafe.
Sometimes when things are pretty old, have verything there and unmolested they're best left as is. AND, it provides a point of reference to contrast with the custom ones! A bambi mural would be sweet though. And a Marylin Monroe on the deck (next to James Dean). Sorry, got carried away.
That Merc looks exactly like one here in Central Iowa. Owned by a past HAMBer, named Nailhead40 or somesuch. I thought it might have been his.
That car is spot on, nice to see a beauty not all hammered down. That color adds a touch of class and with the tire/cap combo, I don't think there's anything to improve on. Tell your dad congrats (I'm sure you already have). Mootz
I hate sayin this, specially on here, and specially since 49-51 Mercs are my all-time favorite car. Leave it alone. Just drive it and enjoy it. After you beat the shit outta it and it's in pieces, THEN play with it.
Trust me, it will be VERY well taken care of- and not modified. The price was more than fair. It's a keeper, my dad doesn't buy them to sell, just enjoy rather than spending it on flashy new things or expensive vacations- that's how it's always been.