It's coming along. Adam's wearing black T-shirt. I am sporting the long sleeve shirt so as not to show to much muscle . Next: chop windshield install drive train.
I like BLACK but the lady who owns half of the car (my wife) wants something more exciting. So I have to find a happy color that will be "period correct". I remember two colors from "back in the day" called Hawiian Pineapple and Tahitian Red. Any suggestions?
Black is always my first choice, it would show the great metal work! But in 51 the Merc came in a pale yellow color that I think would look great!! It would make it look even longer! It makes it easier to do ghost designs, so from far away it looks plain, and then snaps out at you when you get close. It may not be what she had in mind, but it sounds like she suppoerts the work so I would give any color she likes, almost any color!
The color of which you speak was Vassar Yellow. That was the color of the car when I got it. I like it but wonder if it would remind people of a big banana yellow bath tub.
It is looking great from here. I like the taillight treatment. You forget that what was there in the first place can take on a custom look with just a bit of effort. I'd go with the red that you like or one that looked like it but I tend to favor red. I'd think that the yellow would make the car look a bit fat and for some reason most of the restored 51 ragtops I have seen were that shade of yellow. It must have been a popular color in 51 because the coupe I had was originally that color and painted metallic emerald green before I got it. <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
It would be hard to say big banna yellow bath tub while they where drooling over the car! Perhaps some scollops, green or gold? Well there is not a color you could paint that mess with that car!
Jim, The car looked unbelievable its come a long way in the two months since I saw it last. We missed you Saturday came by the merc twice and saw the forty but didn't see you. You know what my vote on the color is. Nick
Love the looks of it!!! Couple questions though....Why didn't you French the headlights or shave the sidemarkers? The front seems 1/2 resto and 1/2 Custom. Custom grill and Custom front bumper,but stock headlights and stock sidemarkers. NOT bashing the car,just curious why you went that direction. The rear looks awesome! What are the taillights off? As far as the color goes. What do you think about burgandy? Let me see if I have a pic of the color I mean. Here's the 1st color... 2nd...Gold!
Most of the stellar work done on that car would be lost if it was yellow. Yellow sucks. When that car is finished and shiny black, your wife will understand that yellow never really was an option... Beautifull car. -Abone.
Bad Bob, Thanks for the suggestions. The headlights will be frenched "old school" with the rounded look, not tunneled. The head lights are not yet finished. The side marker trim on the car will be replaced by the plain front fender "No MERCURY Name" stainless trim that came only on the "thrift model" 1949 Mercs. Will look similar to the trim on the gold Merc you posted. Tail light lenses are 51 Chrysler with custom made steel bezels flush mounted to the body. I like burgundy too, but nothing is written in stone yet. That gold looks nice. Do you know what is it called? Thanks, Jim
That should look awesome! Not a big fan of tunneled headlights either. BTW,I was talking about your sidemarkers on the front,not the side trim. I like your idea of changing it to the non-script trim. What are you doing with your dash? Is it stock or Customized too? Interior plans,color,style? Hope to see some more progress pic's as you go!
11/23/09 Bob, Dash will a traditional 49 Merc - nothing radical. I always liked 49 Merc parking lights so "in they went." Haven't thought a lot about the interior, but it I will still be using the stock Merc seats and interior - old school rolls and pleats. Thanks, jim
Sounds like a great plan! What color is the top? I vote,white,on a Custom! The only time I like black is on a black car,or maybe silver.
I still love your bumper guards. Did you section the rear ones, too? Hard to tell from the angles of these pics...
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