Here's the newest photos of the 1951 Mercury Coupe project we're working on. Was up to Keith's a couple of times over the past week to get a feel for the latest progress. Once again, I brought the trusty camera and got to shoot the latest pics. Now we're working on the taillights. The first set of photos shows the initial test fitting of the lense. For those of you who may have missed the 2 previous threads dealing with the build of this car, I have included links here. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345525 Part 1 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362784 Part 2 In keeping with past tradition, I am going to let the photos speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy the latest collection.
After having a chance to look this modification over, I felt things were a little unfinished looking. I wasn't entirely satisfied with how the taillight lenses looked in the opening. Here was my first stumbling block in the entire build. This is not to take anything from Keith's talents or abilities. We all know from the threads on this build, that Keith is a true metal craftsman. However, after such a stunning treatment to the rear of the car, I felt the taillights let the workmanship down a little. After looking it over for a few hours, I came up with a neat solution. I went back up to Keith's today to see the next step in the taillight development saga. I suggested a bevelled bezel that would give a more finished look to the taillights. All work was completed on the p***enger side only. That way if any major changes had to be made, only one side would have to be modified. Once I gave the ok to continue, Keith will move to the driver side. I will post more photos as work progresses, including some complete shots of the rear of the car.
Still looks unfinished to me. I like the lip around the hole,but don't you think it would look better if the ribbed filler metal came straight out from the sides to the lense? Maybe i'm wrong,but to me it just looks like a lense stuck in a hole instead of a fitted lense. Am I off base here?
Don't get me wrong,I think it looks good. But i'm so used to seeing those light molded into the fender. Maybe I can find a pic...
Very nicely done I especialy like the bezel. hope you are going to have them chrome plated. I usally do not like those lights as they are so played out. But i like them. These are way different tail lights but Take a look at this 51 to get an idea of what chrome bezels looks like on a finished car. GB & Thanks, Rick Erickson of EXK EXTREME KUSTOMS www.ericksonskustoms.com
The bezel looks pretty trick. The grooves in the bezel help tie in the lens alot. I was hoping you'd stick with the chrome ribs, no more? I always wanted to build a set based on one of my old drawings. Never got around to it. Your mockup was similar, I would have liked to see it in 3 dimensions.
Ok, one thing needs to be mentioned about both of those cars. Installing those 54 Merc taillights was not a simple install in either of those cases. I have studied Terry Hegman's Merc (Blue one) in detail and am able to make several interesting points. First, in order to get the quarters to blend with the taillights in that manner, Terry had to sculpt and shape a good portion of the back side of the quarter to meet the taillights. If you look at the pictures of the car in bare steel (The Rodders Journal, can't remember which one) you will see evidence of major reshaping of the quarter so that it will meet the taillights. The taillights were mounted into the opening from behind. Mine are mounted through the front. Also, I chose to adapt the reverse light lense into the overall design. Nothing worse than trying to reverse into a spot and having some idiot not realize you're backing up. Besides, two 54 Merc taillight lenses adapted to become one has been done to death over the years. I wanted this car to be different than everyone else's. Second, if you look at both bumpers on these two cars you will see they are basically stock. Now I know Hegman has played with the bumper to bring it in closer to the body, and he has lowered the stock bumper guard arms, but it is basically stock in appearance. Also, he used metal rod to make the outline for the taillight opening in the quarter panel. You have provided me with two examples of the typical 54 Merc taillights done to death. I was looking to innovate (or at the very least attempt to) rather than copy what everyone else has done. If you go back to my second thread, you will see the modifications made to the rear bumper. That in combination with the frenched 54 Mercury taillight bezels gives a fresh perspective on this often scene modification. Also, the bezels will be chrome plated. In the sun the reflection from the red lenses will actually make the taillights appear to be blended into the quarter panel more. It is merely an interpretation of what someone might have done back in the 1950s. Remember, I have chosen 1955 as the cutoff point for this build. This would have been a possible idea back then. It all comes down to differences of opinion. I know for certain when this car is done, there will be no other Mercury out there like it and that was my goal. If I wanted to build Terry Hegman's, or anyone else's Mercury, I would have. What I am building is my Mercury. There are leaders, and there are followers, I'd like to think aspects of this car are leaders.
Hey, The addition of the bezel really does a good job of unifying the taillamp ***y. and the quarter. The first addition you pictured, wouldn't have looked like a completed unit, once in colour. The "moulding in" of these lenses, as pictured by Terry's blue Merc, has almost become a standard when these lenses are used, almost too standard! Will the bezel be polished, or have a brushed finish? S****ey Devils C.C. "Spending A Nation Into Generational Debt Is Not An Act Of Comp***ion!"
For me it is the top corners that don't really work. I love the bezel but the top just seems to disappear into the shadows and looks like it doesn't fit as nice as the bottom. JMO.
I Think the bezel is a big improvement over the original desing. You know you Merc guys are a little touchy when it's not done the traditional way.
I like what you did oldtime, I think it has a much more finished and integrated look than the cars that Bob linked. In fact, that's why I sold the '54 lenses that I had bought and went a different way. Vive la difference bishes.
I personally like the look of the "flared" tops on the blue one; they seem to make the tops of the extended '51's fenders (vs the '49 or '50) flow into the taillights better. Just my opinion though, it's your car and I know it will be beautiful when finished. You are to be commended on your build. Jim
This is one of those cases where you cant reinvent the wheel.........or can you? I think it would be inportant to post a photo from a direct side angle to see how the downturn in to the top of the bezel looks on the upper 1/4 panel. I say, let something different catch your eye in this world of 51 Mercs with 54 taillights famuncled in them.
Remember...you are staring up close and personal at one taillight not teh whole car. Only when the car is finished can you stand back and look at teh car as a whole and know you got it right or got it wrong. I love em, by the way. The bezel made the diffrence. -Abone.
I'll use mine as an example.. I got hate mail about these taillights when I was mocking them up, but I think they came out OK... -Abone.
I think they look OK. It is tough to reinvent the wheel in this case, not much can be done to improve upon '54 Merc tailights in a '51. They are by far my favorite. Did you tuck the quarter in at all, or is it me? Like Abone said, you will need to stand back and look at it once completed. I think most of us, including myself, will probably come around.
Sorry for posting such an ugly car, but I p***ed behind one of these things the other day and thought the tail lights would look GREAT in a pair of '51 Mercury quarters. 1978 Ford LTD II I like the tails in your car oldtimerodder!
I like them with the bezels, I think once the paint is on and the bezels chromed it gonna look sick. The 2 pics Bob linked are also bad *** but they have a different look. All that matters is if your happy with them and I think you are. Nice job!
Ok gang, here is the test fitting of the driver side taillight ***embly. I've included a few pics of the rear view of the car. Have to make some minor adjustments before moving on to the next step. All that is left to do on the car now is fitting the side trim, making engine and transmission mounts, and making the outter window surrounds. Hopefully the car will be out of Keith's in the next 3-4 weeks. Then it'll be off to the painter. View of the completed test fitting of the taillight ***emblies. The trunk lid has been sent out for sandblasting. Here Keith is holding the stock 54 Mercury taillight ***embly beside the car for comparison. The modifications we have made are extensive.
i like it ,it will look good with the chorme bezel,why do what has been done a zillon times,you don't have to french and mold everything
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