UPDATE: chopped 1940 Merc in bare metal: must see

I am a student of good chops. I slowly poor over them and see what I can learn to take with me to the next car. As I stated earlier, I couldnt do this car. I would like to think I'm pretty good (I even have my own chop article in the tech section... I'm so proud) but this is another class of talent.
I think we should all sit back and really take in what this guy can do. With the front window raised an inch, and the rear totally welded in, we can all see exactly how he did it and perhaps try to use some of the ideas on our next car. Our hobby is much more fun if the quality goes up instead of constantly talking about the cars that suck. I am just as guilty as anyone.

Please give me a chance to download all the pictures (6 or so) before you all make a comment.

thanks.

oh, Rudy is parting out a 40 mercury 4 door and has lots of extra parts for your hotrod projects so jump on em!
Rudy 714-525-8705

 

front 3/4 is always my favorite on a 40 Mercury.

 

for me, these cars really take a shit if the rear dont flow right. Simply chopping the top and plopping it down dont work right and you see it done over and over.

 

here, a guy could really get a feel for what kind of panels can be used to reach desired dome/countour desired. However, what you cant show in a picture is all the hammering and bending to get it all to flow.

remarkable work in this photo

 

In the other post, guys wanted a full side view shot of it so here it is. I told him to steal a whitwall from his wife's roadster and prop it up in the wheel well. He told me that was stupid and that I'm a moron.

I hate that.

 

window moved up an inch or so to match the sides

 

VERY nice work....That looks great!!

 

i'm kinda like that too gooch... I like to study a good shape to understand what it took to achieve it. That's a fantastic chop, great shapes going on. Things like paying attention to the window placement (like moving that windshield up) is what seperates a chopped car from a true custom. I love in the metal pics, thanks for posting them!

 

A work of art, absolutely stunning! That man has such a gift...I want to do that! Thanks for the great pics Gooch.

Greg

 

sure wish I could get more detail out of these pictures.... re sizing them really beats em up. thats all folks

 

looks great.

 

What's happening with that car? Wasn't it for sale? Stupid queston from across the pond, but what kinda of money will it get as it sits there?

 

this gives me the boner

 

He's famous for his hotrods yet he drove the same Mercury for 12 years.
On the next tech week, I will post the whole process and let Rudy dictate the steps. I hope Ryan will keep it in the tech section for everyone to use.

Even knowing how he does it, I still cant do it.

Oh, the 1940 Mercury is not for sale anymore.
sorry.

 

Excellent craftsmanship.

there's something akward about the chop...I don't like it. seems as though it just barely missed the mark of "dead on." Just one mans opinion, not trying to start a war...

I wish I had those metal fabbing skills!!

 

looks killer. and i dont like most of the chops i have seen on them

 

this is a good inspiration to scrap my A project and build the 37 coupe...but i think i can hold off till that pile is done...looks really great...cant wait to see more pictures

zach

 

It looks REAL NICE in its line........its a difficult chop-car allright.
I chopped a 41 Lincoln Zephyr coupe,6" it is difficult as well but if you study it long enough BEFORE you cut- it always works better!

 

re-sizing them makes the lines pixle and break up real bad. all I have is Paint, which comes free with Windows XP, and the photos are huge so I did the best I could.

 

Thats pretty damn spot on, Gooch! Beautiful.

 

Beautifull absolutly beautifull
JR

 

.

 

Gooch, Rudy has done some unbelieveable work there, but I am with K&R. I think it needs a little thinng out in the turrent above the drip rail, bringing the front section of the turrent down gradually.
However having said that, with paint on it as it is ,it may have a totally different look.
Gooch I am also with you as regards putting wheels under it, to get a better overall perspective of the whole package.
Please don't take this as critism, it is just my thoughts. Geoff aka Whodaky

 

Killer work.

Say, is that the same Merc that was customized in the '70s that had the musical notes painted on the sides?

 

I love chopped Mercs!
Man that thing is looking killer!
That shot looking down at the roof really shows all the work and just how good it is.

 

I think that is a beautiful chop. Very seldom do I see a chop that I think is right on. Most always look like ass from some angle. I too tend to really study chops that I like and find very few that Work. Very good job. I only know of Rudy from on here but it seems like he is one of few people who can truly do it right. My 2cents.

 

It may be perfect. But something about it just doesn't scream early 50's custom... it's more "perfect" in a 90's and new millenium way... I can't put my finger on it, but there is something about the simple chops of old that look "right".

I'm not knocking it... it looks good... but it looks like a Nike swoosh.
Sam.

 

All you guys ragging on this chop cause it's too nice!!! You think he should have chopped it badly, just to make it more "traditional"? There were plenty of poor chops back in the day, but the reason the Matranga Merc is so revered is cause of it's perfect chop.

This car has a great chop, and the only thing wrong with it is it's not mine.