Merc quarter panel modification

Oops I meant to say I'm not a big hardtop conversion fan but I like that one.

 

I like the thin-ness of Tin Wolf's chop above the windows. Kinda looks like it was done without welding the door tops to the roof like the Hirohata was done.

 

What do you think of this chop?

 

I AGREE !!!! And those '51 qtrs need the '52-'54 capri tailights as iceing on the cake!

 

Rear window does not lean forward enough.just my 2 cents.you asked!!

 

I think at the end of the day '51 rear windows take a bit of work to get right, and I'd say I'm happy enough with mine, and maybe someday I can see a bunch of Mercs all at once and see more of the difference. I see what Dave is saving about the curve in the gl***, you have to make it work, and some folks miss it a bit. I think mine is more the latter but I don't care that much it's in the zone for me...

 

I think it looks pretty good, you matched the flow of the roof to the curve of the window pretty good. How about some better pics of your cuts and is there a build thread???!!

 

I never cared for the 51 back windows on choppped cars. too me they just look too big compared to the other windows and the corners are too sharp and ruin the flow. and they rarely come out looking good. the best one here i saw was the one rickster posted.

As for the quarters i like em both alot. only thing about the 51s i would never use the stock lenses.

that upside down one looks horrible. it looks like a big bubble forming at the bottom

 

I agree but it is because it is hard topped and you have two points. The roofline at the back of the quarter window and the lower point of the rear gl***. The Hirohata merc works with the 51 gl*** for the same reason hardtopped.

IMO the Book of Love merc although beautifully chopped looks ****ty with that back gl*** because you have a rounded corner at the back of the quarter window and then a sharp point at the bottom of the rear gl***. To me the longer fenders are so far removed from the gl*** that it is not a distraction to the eye like the quarter window and rear gl*** are because they are a few inches from each other. The 51 gl*** may look good from the back but IMO it ruins the flow of the profile flowing, flowing, flowing, sharp corner.

 

Yeah I'm suprised more '51 owners hadn't/didn't go with other gl*** ideas, I think the '51 rear gl*** is a little too big and the bottom corners are too pointed. Again not the first aspect thing about a Merc that I focus on.

 

Hey John you decide on a color yet?

 

I think your back lite looks good, it's positioned well. Of course, I am biased.



Pro Stock, have you noticed that ridge on your quarter panel that ends at your bumper looks different? It looks like the ridge seen on 49-50 Mercs. When you had the car stripped down to metal did you notice if someone h ad added that detail? Stock '51's have a ridge/lip that goes straight down and doesn't make that turn again toward the bumper. Another one of those mysteries ***ociated with heavily modified customs.

 

any pics of your car gettin' chopped mike?

 

I had more pics on my computer but I can't find them now.



In a nutshell, I chopped the car myself after watching the "How to chop" video from Mr. Merc. (Now available from Nightprowlers). That would be the Tommy Steadman videos. I followed his instructions to the letter. 3" in front and 4 1/4" in the back.

 

awesome, thanks for the pics...NOW FIND MORE LOL

 

Mike I never noticed that until you just pointed that out LOL.

Ian I'm most likely doing black. Looks like the other bezels came in so I'll get those sent to you. Thanks again!!!!

 

I think the chop looks good. I would disagree with the idea that the window does not lean forward enough. Look back at mine that was leaned and moved forward too much....go too far and you have the hump in the gl*** popping up above the flow of the roof. I think yours has a nice flow with the top right over the gl*** and the curves match.

 

exactly what i thought

 

i think its cool

 

I see what you are saying on your car DrDave, but I don't think it's a big deal. Do you obsess over it like I obsess over skirts?

 

I don't obsess over it really....just know that some day I will go back and correct it (along with ditching the hagan headlights). The other problem you get with sliding a 51 window too far forward and down is that the lower corners squeeze in and make an odd line at the belt line. I think that is what really gets some people about 51 rear windows in a chop. Those corners fit a narrower part of the roof, so when you slide it forward and tip it too far, you have to squeeze the belt line right there and it just makes an odd transition. Leave the window back and a bit more upright like the Hirohata and the Book of Love Merc and you avoid that problem all together....as well as avoid that gl*** hump.


You do have me thinking about skirts a fair amount lately. LOL. Mine has warped fibergl*** 51's, so I have been hunting for factory steel ones, but you got me thinking about a pair of needle nose bubbles just for fun.

 

I definitely have looked at that small bulge/curve in back gl***. I won't have any chrome for my windows when the paint is done so I'll be looking into the chrome and I'm sure that will affect the overall look quite a bit.

 

I'm fairly certain that the chrome for your back window needs to be inserted into the rubber gasket before the gl*** is installed, and once the gl*** is installed it's very difficult to reuse the old rubber. So if you plan to run the stainless trim, you'll want to find it before your rear window is re-installed.

Wasn't sure if you were aware of that or not, figured I should mention it.

 

News to me.

 

I think I'm going to keep my stock 49 rear treatment instead of changing to the 51 style. The 49/50 style looks better as a tail dragger to me. The rounded rear end makes it look more like a speedboat coming out of the water(which is what all tail draggers should look like) The 51 1/4's just don't lend themselves to the look as much as the 49/50 style does. I really like the fat fender Fords and Mercs the Barris' and Ayala's did before the 49 Mercs. They all had that speedboat look too. Plus by staying with the 49 rear treatment it means less work and money needed too. Thanks again Jeff for having me reconsider the flow. I means thats what a Merc is all about.

 

I agree, I've always liked the 49 & 50 a little better. When I was looking for mine I would have taken a 49, 50, or 51. But I preferred the 49 and 50.

 

There is something about '51 mercs...they are longer and leaner looking when chopped,and there is more to mess with out back....i guess i have a preferance.

 

They have hips.

 

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/BadBob_2006/Bad Bob 2009/51merc1_p***rear-3.jpg


Where do you find that rear license plate frame you have on the grey merc??
I cant seem to find it anywhere ??

 

Looks good to me!