i dont think i can say anything else except that i agree that you shouldnt change it. You need to realize that you are building a MERC'...yes parts are going to be expensive, so save up and do it right so it looks good and cl***y. Not like an el-camino!!!
There ain't no Duster in the world going to get you any respect around here (or pretty much anywhere else either), unless it was maybe some real original total kick *** funny car version and those didn't come with any 383's. Not to bust your chops or anything, but you have the makings of potentially a nice project if you do it right or a real ****ty one. Credit to you for asking the questions and sticking around so far. There is a lot of good advice that can be had from the people on this site on how to make a real sweet project that will get you some real respect if you listen. Keep asking some good questions and let us help you out. I am not any Mercury custom expert, but there are plenty here who are. Good luck with and do it the right way please.
thats why its gone,but it was scary fast. no offense taken.i really am taking all input to mind.i dont want to be the guy everyone jokes about when they see my car roll in.i have most of the mags that are out on the stands but not to many show the dashes.i guess i'll keep looking.i like the chrysler one and the 56 57 olds is neat. so to do it properly; well what do you recomend?
Ask them what color you should paint your car. And what clothes to wear. Sorry, I forgot, it's YOUR car. Do what you want. That is why it is called Customizing, not restoring. http://www.mechwerks.com/Hammerform.htm http://heritagesonline.homestead.com/metalworking.html
some funny **** here. my 2 cents worth. just stop and look for this thread going on now. The mother of all dash / gauge threads -- do a search - find it - look/read it but like I was told along time ago. built a hot rod is like jerking o** you only have to please yourself ! if your into airplane gauges so be it. good luck
Yo! There was a dude on ebay selling a bolt in panel for these, fit in some newer gauges. Didn't look really period, but might be easy and look a little better? Ironically enough a friend of mine did it with his 50, made the panel himself, looked familiar. Ill see if I can dig up a pic.
I guess flat black,red steelies,skulls,and cobwebs on a rusted piece of ****,is "customizing" also? I would prefer restoration,to "PepBoysation"...
**** the newsstand ****, get some 50s-60s mags and see the real deal. I pick them up on Ebay for a couple bucks a piece; cheaper if you buy them by the lot.
i say go ahead and flatten it, its your car. And you never know, these ****heads on here could end up liken your idea and use it on one of their cars in the future.
well im still debating kinda.very few like them.i know its my car but i want others to enjoy it too......i dont think im gonna do it.i think i may try to do a 57 chevy dash in an otherwise smooth dash board.dont know how to exactly explain it but it looks more traditional-custom.wish i knew photoshop.
Don't try to cut and flatten it.You will end up with a mess.Bolt it in the car so it will keep its shape. Cut it out and replace with new sheet metal.To bend the edge to match, clamp a pipe in a vise and bend to match your dash.Trim to fit ,tack weld and make sure it is straight before finish welding. Custom cars are just that( Custom) you build it the way you want ,after all you are the one that will have to look at it every time you drive it. I personally like the original gauge curve but hay it's your car ,build it for what you like, not what everyone else thinks .
You've got a good at***ude, son! Took some nasty criticism and came out smelling like a rose.....and you are open to taking good advice as well.....kudos to you! It's OK to push the envelope and do something different. It's even OK to cross time/era genres to build something unique. The only problem is, too many guys try to do this, that aren't visionary, or talented enough to really pull it off. So the cars come off looking like a joke. Guys like Foose, Auten, Kramer, Egon from Nj, Posie, successfully modernize old cars, but they have the talent, and good design sense, and the unlimited labor and cash to do it (even though most traditionalists here don't appreciate their work). So, if you want as car that will look great, have a "timeless" beauty, and not come off as a "fad" design or a circus car (yeah, I know, I've built a couple curcus cars for customers), stick with what works traditionally. Look to the Little Pages, as suggested...stay away from the "new kids on the block" mags, like OSR. Good luck to you!
I think you could probably arrange them in the curved dash. I know a guy with a '56 Ford that has S/W's in it. Not my cup of tea but he did it and arranged things in the curved dash. Looks OK, but like I said I like the stock '56 stuff better but ............
My dash setup ****s, I need to source something more correct. Any pre 1955 dashes that fit in the Merc without profound modifications? Mine
thanks for the tips and encouragement.i really like these but not sure what they came out of?looks like they would go nicely under the curve.
Much better! But you still need to put them into an area that looks like they belonged there. The bottom one, you could take the bezel and gl*** off of some generic gauges, and adapt them to have the face showing through the factory openings. You'd have to use electrical gauges, as they have a smaller sweep thatn mechanical ones(for the oil and water temp). Maybe use perforated or expanded metal as a background to fill the area around the gauges if they don't fit your dash perfectly?
i had that idea chop about using new gauges without the bezels.i figured that a round gauge would go better with the dash.if that is a volvo thats cool,it will make the car safer
my hat is off to you!!! most guys by now would have said "**** you guys, and this board" but you held in there with your head held high. I think now you are on the right track tho and soon you'll get there with a great combo!!
thanks for the words punkabilly.this is my first fat fender car and most my cars are more strip/street so this is kinda new to me.
Yeah, I agree, good at***ude and sticking power. You seem to be here to ask smart questions, listen and get good answers and then work with it - not tell "the ****heads" to **** off while you build whatever the hell you want. Not that you shouldn't actually build what you want. But if that is what others want, then they can just do that and keep their mouths shut and not bother us with their ****. you can still build what you want but take advice from others who might have more experience and know something you don't. You on the other hand seem to be taking good advantage of people willing to help you make what most would consider a better car and doing it with a good positive at***ude. that is what we need more of, not the FU types. And also, good attempts on the revised gauges, those are looking much better. I would say go with whatever you can get along those lines that looks good to you that is also in decent condition and I am sure you can make it work. I would get the best condition and properly working gauges you can though because chrome and rebuilding gauges can be expensive. Stay away from highly desirable ones for the obvious reasons of excessive cost. Find less desirable but just a cool and go with those. But get good condition and good functioning ones. I don't see much wrong with those Volvos ones if you can get those and want to make them work in your design.
thanks stude.im keeping my eye on the first of the 2 ebay gauges.it should work nicely in my dash.i'm not stuck on any certain gauge i just want it to look right.
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