47' Merc "Makin it Happen"

Here is a build/story of a car enthusiast and a very good friend. John has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has a short time to enjoy life, family, friends and his 47' Merc. John has had this car since 79' but like many of us, sometimes the projects get put on the back burner while family and other things come up. But even in a state of rust and dismay the old car can give you that place to get away, to sit and think and to look forward of what it will be someday. Now the last few yrs John has been battling hard and throughout everything he has endured, the old Merc was still that place to get away from everything. He was even found on the creeper getting in a nap under the car now and then.
Last Friday, after hearing of the bad news that time was limited, several of John's friends, his car club, organizations and community members made it their priority to help out one of their own.
Here is John getting the Merc out to be taken to the shop,

I will try and be sure to give a special THANK YOU to all that is deserved, first is The Rose City Street Rods of Protland which John was one of the original members, Mark House and his students at Clackamas Community College for the use of the shop and all the work they have done, Paulino Cervantes from "Coup" for donating some of his employees to help work on the car. As more come up I will be sure to add them.
Here is John and crew dropping the car off at the college

So the build is to remove rust, prep the body and do paint. Wire it up and get the Merc road worthy, and all this in one week. Did I stress the thanks and appreciation enough yes done in 1 week for John.

Here are some in the process pics,



I will update with more pics as it comes along.

 

Here is a couple more pics, the first is another before and then a couple of work in progress.

 

Just got word that the kids have the first coat down and will be applying the second soon!

 

Ok here is a picture of the Merc after prime and paint out of the shop and on the way to another friends to do the finish work.

 

Is that car a mid engine setup???? Good deal on you all for helping him out like that! Thats great! Jim

 

Thanks Jim, I think one of the members said it best when he said "we are car guys doing what car guys do, taking care of eachother." It is a mid engine pantera trans axle.

 

Wow, very unique drive train - looks good