Technical Original 49-51 merc Chassis Modifications

Over the years of looking through old magazines and even newer books, their were lots of details in print on modifications guys had performed to there cars. For example Barris had C'd ch***is to get there mercs low in the rear, or some cars were channeled etc.

Does anybody actually have any original photo's or pics of original custom 49-51 merc ch***is modifiactions? Even pics from original custom cars getting restored. Would really like to see how much work was actually performed for clearance and how they did it. I know there are a lot of completed cars and builds since, lots of good work, some bad, but I see alot now using air bags.

Please original pics only and no pics of air-bagged/four link ch***is etc.

Thanks

Muzz

 

X2,want to avoid a clip or aftermarket parts

 

Rod & Custom did some articles years ago about the restoration of the Hirohata Merc, with pictures. The work was pretty crude underneath but they left it in the interest of authenticity except they cleaned it up a little and replaced anything really dangerous. If you can find the back issues they should tell you what you need to know.

 

Check out Rod & Custom magazine back when they were restoring the Hirohata Merc they showed some good pics of rear frame where Barris c notched it. They did beef it up because it was a little on the weak side. Rikster may even show them on his site.

 

When I was a kid in the 60s, I remember Car Craft running a story showing C'd rears, and the shop notched the bottom of the front frame for the A arms to pivot higher without hitting the frame. All cut with a torch, kinda crude, but effective. Thinking it was a shoebox, but would apply to a Merc, too. Probably 62, 63, or 64, when CC did a lot of customs.

Lots of this stuff in the East Coast little books, too

 

On Sam Barris personal 49 merc he just torched out a c in the frame, and used a hub cap in the trunk for rear end clearance. There are some great photos on Rik Hoving's fotki page.
Matt

 

Dean Jeffries did the same on my merc.

 

Thanks guys. I found the R&C article but it didn't have what I was after. Incidently I looked at the Custom Car Chronicle page but it didn't click to look at the fotki page.

51 mercules, did Dean Jeffries modify the floor for tail shaft clearance as well?

 

The floor was modified.

 

I used Fatman uprights and c&c the frame in the rear
Rides like u see it in the pic.
Frank