I was wondering if anybody out there could show me any examples of Lincoln door buttons being used on 49-51 Mercs. I’m trying to help a friend out and I just need a little help with the placement of the buttons. If I’m not mistaken the area where the Mercury’s door handle is located is a curved surface, whereas the Lincoln push buttons are originally for a flat surface. I’m guessing I’m going to have to French the buttons into the door, but I am just wondering how other people have done it in the past. Thanks guys.
I'm thinking that they would go straight in line with where the original pushbutton in the handle was if it has the original door locks I drove my Merc for years without the door handles just sticking my finger in the hole to push the latch. I think the handles are still out in a box in the shed along with a few other pieces off it. Looking at the Ebay add for the aftermarket ones it looks like you have to cut a pin to the correct length to push the latch. eBay item number:251757464669
Thank you, that is what I was imagining. Its unfortunate that the stock handle mount on the curve of the door, but I think I'm going to have to french the button to get it inside the curved surface. I'm going to stop by his shop to see the car in person to get an idea of what needs to be done. He gave me the choice of using a repop kit or the real Lincoln buttons, and I'd really like to use the real Lincoln buttons for him. The repop kit (which is a smaller button) comes with a stamp sheet of metal that you weld into the door that recesses the button slightly. But the sheet is really thick, plus the stamping makes it very stiff, I just don't see it making that curve to fit the door skin.
I checked out pictures of the car, it looks like they didn’t French the buttons into the door, maybe I’m wrong about the curves at the handle. I haven’t gotten a chance to go see the car I’m going to be working on in person yet.
I'm going to throw a link to the reproduction Lincoln door buttons and frenching panel here, because they are very nice quality. I purchased these to put on my 1951 Merc, but I have not done it yet. See two examples of Mercs with Lincoln buttons in next reply. https://logic80.com/product-category/buttons/ https://logic80.com/product/door-button-frenching-panels/ .
Just saw these pictures in another thread and am reposting them here, even though I don't know anything about the car other than I like it.
The Jalopy Journal
