'51 Merc last q before decision on paint... '53 buick side trim?

I've been told that the curved side trim on some custom Merc's is 1953 Buick Riviera trim. Is that the case, and does it need a ton of modifications to make it work on the Merc?

 

Yes! It needs some work...........OLDBEET

 

Probably needs work to get the dimensions right, I can see folks cutting down the sections to make it work, but do you have to extend the door section or does it work pretty good?

 

The door section needs to be extended. I looks to be about 6 to 8 inches although I have never seen it done well though. Welding and repolishing the stainless is very difficult at best.

BB

 

Merc's always look good with straight stainless trim.
Top photo is my 49 with 55 Ford trim,bottom is Paul's
51 with 53-54 Merc trim.The flat areas on the Buick trim
are the hardest to metal finsh.
TwoChops

 

Id love to see that red Merc with nice wide whites on it. Would rock.

 

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I you meant mine ,
So would I,getting new interior first. Maybe will have them
by Ohio GG this year
TwoChops

 

Twochops, I like the trim on your car, the door sections did not need to be lengthened?

 

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All 6pc's were made from rear 1/4 trim pieces,all were cut and tig welded.--------------------TwoChops

 

one of the mags i have i think its traditional rods and kustoms had a tech artical with Bill Hines putting the Buick side trim on a merc. ill see if i can find it and scan it for you. seems like he had to trim a little here and there but it was a really nice how to artical.

 

Wow that would be awesome thanks! I'm either doing burgundy/maroon, or would paint the car black but if I did black I'd like to make it a little more unique by using the '53 trim. If anyone has some '53 trim for sale I'd be interested in talking about it.

 

Does the door piece for sure have to be lengthened? Anyone have the measurements of a '53 Buick Riv door handy, I'll go measure the doors on my Merc.

 

Okay so the '53 door trim is 44 inches wide, and my Merc doors are 51 inches long. I'll see if any of my buddies weld stainless.

 

I am intereted in doing the 53 buick side trim to mine as well. I am just starting on the project and I am trying to get everything in order so I don't have to re-do later. Please keep me updated if you find the article on the "how to". email to markb at gomaco dot com

Thanks
Mark

 

I'm calling my body shop buddy right now to discuss whether it's something he can and wants to do when we repaint the car.

 

A guy in Houston did this. He cut the door piece in half and put a round badge with a pin up photo in it.

 

its a drive but i can weld stainless

 

Last question? ********,LOL!!!! The Buick trim looks good with a contrasting color inside it,I think. If you are gonna leave it all one color,than you should go withg the straight trim. I'll see if I have some pic's for you.

 

Hehe so many questions, so little time. I'm not doing the Buford trim, too much unknown work for my guy.

I might add some side trim back we'll see.

 

Hard to beat stock trim! I've seen guys put the front fender trimpiece on the door,to shorten up the look. WAIT! I might have a pic,LOL!!!

 

I always liked the Buick side trim...until I found out how much a good set went for and how hard it was to modify. Now, Like Bad Bob, I'm a fan of the stock trim (if any at all!). I like moving it back, off the front fenders and making it more like spears down the sides...

 

I actually like the Lincoln crhrome which is wider and sits up a bit higher over the bump in the door. Also good if you want to raise the wheel arches slightly. The Merc chrome is in the way then.

 

I like the way 55 Poncho side trim looks on 49-51 Mercs.From the looks of it ,you should be able to use it without cutting it ,since the piece that goes on the door doesnt run the length of the door...