I'd like to Pose a Question... this has been tumbling between my ear holes for some time now... I own two Mercury's...a 50 coupe and a 49 4door sedan...one is not H.A.M.B. friendly...as it looks like a Volkswagen for some reason... but to the question : How is it that some Mercury's in the 49-51 range look so much longer than others? is it because the chop is causing an illusion making it look longer? or indeed there has been some Sectioning? (assuming that sectioning can be either lengthen a space or shorten a space) **using Tom's Recent pic's as an example
I suspect where the chopped roof "lands" can help the illusion (along with paint choice--black/dark or something really light?). Lay back the A pillar and let the roof sorta "fall" rearward, along with a lowering job, may trick your eye into thinking the nose is longer, and thus the wheelbase. Fender skirts can "add" to the rear body size, according to your eye. Photo angles can also help, plus *gasp* beginning with a 4 door Merc and making a convertable out of it.
The 51s ARE longer. Notice how they extended the rear fenders that year. Also, yes chopping the top and lowering the car creates an illusion of greater length or at least, longer in proportion to height. Some custom cars have the front fenders extended and different headlights welded on, and the rear fenders extended with different tail lights. All in the interest of a long, low, sleek look.
One more... Notice the extended quarters? 49, 50 didn't have that, so the 51s are a bit longer. In my 24X24 shop there wasn't too much extra room to get by that big fucker. -Abone
What a beautiful car!!! Love the skirts and leaded doors and hood. When I turned 16 in 1956 everyone lusted after a '51 like yours. Probably still do. At least in my circle of friends.............Terry
Amazing Beautiful Car... yeah...the '51 has the extended quarters...that's roughly 8" past the trunk lid it seems...but like in Tom's Pictures...the 51 seems to have more metal between the front tire to the front bumper...unless once again...the illusion that the side trim stops at the front wheel well...and the nose seems longer...somehow... guess I hafta find me a '51 ...cause I love the Long Mo-fo look
Guys have been known to put 51 quarters on 49 and 50's in the past. I had a 51 for over 30 years and even when they aren't chopped the longer quarters really make a difference.
Even a Model A grows in length when block sanding, doesn't it? It's like it gets excited or something
The nose is not longer on the '51. The answer to the original questions are: 1) the '51 is longer in the rear end and a few inches makes a big difference 2) the lower the chop and the lower the whole car is to the ground, the longer it will look 3) dark colors make a car look longer (at least if it's GLOSS, not flat or satin) 4) the side trim can make them look longer 5) fender skirts can make a car look longer The car in the top of your photo has all of these things ('51, chopped a lot, sitting VERY low, dark color with the side trim and skirts extended to the bottom of the fenders). The '50 in the bottom of your photo isn't chopped and doesn't have the longer rear quarter panels of a '51, but keep in mind that it would also look longer if the photo were taken from a different angle. The chop is the single biggest difference, with ride height a close second. Everything else is details. Sometimes those details really matter, though: I recently eliminated the bumper guards from the front bumper on my '53 Chevy and changed out the rear and it made the car look longer in the rear compared to the front with no other changes!
Thanks all... For some time... I thought I was imagining it...then ...the optical illusion thing...but seems it's a combination of things... thank you all for confirming my (in)sanity
i wrecked my '51 Merc in Feb. of 1960, I was 14.roads were solid packed snow, I was in a hurry and inexoerianced. no seatbelt, just that god-damn pointed bullit in the center of the steering wheel in my chest. wow that hurt!
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