Projects 1950 4 Door Merc Build...Sort Of.....

because its a ford

 

I'm hoping to give you guys a time line of things as they happen a bit more in detail. THis is the list I went through with Rick, after our intial meeting. These is taken from the actual email I sent Rick. Ohhh, very important, this is also after my visit to the Grand National Roadster show, and my first "real" car show EVER... Uh oh, I'm feel a sickness starting to brew..

1. 1. Air Bags, and system.
2. 2. Additional Battery for air bag system
3. 3. Battery Switch to keep both batteries charged
4. 4. Door poppers repaired, and working
5. 5. Fuel Tank Installed ( I purchased fuel tank, and left at shop )
6. 6. Hood Grommets Installed ( I purchased and left at shop )
7. 7. 4 15inch chromed wheels made to fit
8. 8. 4 3 Inch Wide White Wall Radial tires
9. 9. Wiring system for hubcaps ( I purchased hubcaps and have in my possession )
10. 10. Inner Rockers, and body mounts welded and repaired.

 

Uh Ohh, its on now.. These cars from GNRS, have infected me... My car has to be proper now.. I can't ride around in a half ass car...

 

I have a friend photoshop, what my car is going to look like, minus the bumpers, that I now have to have..

New Items to Add to the list...

1. 11.Stub frame properly welded, and if needed reinforced.
2. 12. Paint Roof
3. 13. Paint Fender Skirts ( I purchased skirts, and have in my possession )
4. 14. Install Fender skirts
5. 15. Chrome Rear 1955 Packard Bumper and bumper guards ( I purchased bumper, bumper guards and left at shop )
6. 16. Install (item 14) rear bumper
7. 17. Install and Modify 1956 Corvette 15 tooth Grill ( I purchased grill, and left at shop )
8. 18. Purchase Front bumper from Rick ( Bumper Rick Chose )
9. 19. Chrome "Rick Bumper"
10. 20. Install Front "Rick Bumper

 

After some thought, I give Rick a call, and tell him. Rick, lets fix my frame properly, take it off, and lets do what needs to be done.. Ohh this gets ugly.. Viewers beware..

 

Frame...

 

Hang in there Bro!!! Before you know it it will be YOUR Car...Just like you want it, a few fixes no big deal, a $100K will get you a premo ride, but its not that bad from here....Good Luck and have fun that what its all about...

 

More Frae photos.. also notice, the camaro sub frame used just doesnt look right. RICK PLEASE FIX IT!!!!!

 

Alittle Change of pace here... After now jumpiing in with both feet, and thanks to now finding out aboudt the HAMB, I have to really go large-ish..... Motor Time... Here is a picture of what I'd want my motor to look like.. THis isn not my engine, but my new one looks just like it.. You'll see...

 

Ohh shoot, forgot to show you guys what the old tired 350 looked like. This part is worth mentioning because I ended up trading my old engine and carbureter for some welding and body work with some of the guys at Extreme Kustoms shop....

 

BAck to the frame:

Me "Rick, box the frame"
Rick "Why?"
Me "I don't know it looks cool"
Rick " You will never see the frame"
Me " umm, it will make it stronger?"
Rick " Well, yeah, but you don't need it stronger, and it's going to cost $$$ more"
Me " Just, like the idea of a boxed frame"
Rick " well okay.. box it is"

How many of you guys have argued with your shop to spend money? You see what I mean? Rick is not your normal builder.He really looks out for his customers. Rick knows, I know crap about cars, and he could have taken total advantage, and he did't and hasnt. By now I consider rick, not only my builer, but a friend.

 

Congrats on sticking with the Merc. Sure looks like it needed some love.

 

More Frame photos, also the boys box the back of the frame on the trade we made.... Why???? I don't know, but I like it, and it looks good.. I'm latin, its all about appearances...

 

Primer time on Frame!!!!!! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

 

Your check-writing Hand must be sore by now.
So listen if you want to be part of a "Brotherhood" just know that a Brother will sometimes call you an Asshole.....you Asshole.
That being said GO MAN GO!!...choosing EXK was the smartest thing you've done.
Also did you get that steering wheel you were after?
A good idea is to post a list of parts you need on the HAMB classifieds, that gives us a chance to get rid of our extra parts! Remember most of us want to see the Merc finished too.
My theory on the holes in the frame is to measure out portions of raw spaghetti.

 

Birthday rolls around now. So my boss asks me what I would like as a gift.. Guess what? a Tranny... 700R4 from Bowtie Overdrives... So we have to moc the tranny to the frame before we paint.. Ohh Painting is happening soon???? Yayyyyyy...

 

Looks great!

 

For someone who doesn't know shit about working on cars, it sure looks like you are getting that Merc in the hands of the right people.

So, the car that got passed around and run away from by those in the know, is getting fixed correctly.

We're all assholes from time to time. On and off the board. Can't be changed, but once we learn to accept it in ourselves and others, progress can be made.

No matter what anyone does to any car, almost everyone will find something about it that they don't like. It's called taste, and everyone's is different.

Now a few comments based on MY taste- The bumper change is going to be a HUGE improvement. If you're going to be painting the roof anywayt, I'd strongly advise reworking that rear door window opening- it really does detract from the flow of the chopped roofline. I hope when you traded the engine and carb that you saved the air cleaner- those air cleaners really look good on V8's in old cars (though they are done a lot)

At any rate, it's nice to see the botched work getting corrected. It's pretty mnuch as nice as seeing a rusty beater getting yanked from a barn and getting done up. Maybe mnore so, since nobody is afraid of crusty old beaters, but a lot will run from a botch job. Either way, a save is a save. And this IS a save. Good job, asshole!

 

Way to turn lemons into lemonade...

 

HAhahah, well put, and you are right. My brother calls me an a-hole all the time..Douche-ayy... I agree EXK was the best thing I've done..

I sure as hell did get my steering wheel. I bought it from the HAMB steering wheel guy,, ohhh Poop.. I can't remember his name..

 

Painted Frame....

 

I'm with fbama73 on needing to know....did you keep that Caddy/Olds aircleaner?
You should run it.
Also is that steering wheel what your basing you interior colors on? If so, good choice.

 

Nice looking Ride
You will Love you Merc
like everybody that Has one Does!
just my 3.5 cents

 

glad this is back on track. for everyones sake. especially exk's ! he doesnt need anymore exposure i would assume, but still deserves the recognition.. when all is said and done you will have the merc you always wanted.. keep at it !!

 

Okay, lets take a Frame break.. hahaha.. I feel like Mr. Rogers.. Hmm so I decide one Saturday to go down to Ricks shop to pull up the carpet, so that I can clean up the interior and lay down some dynamat.. Uhhh Ohhh, should not have done that... sorry for the quality of the pictures...

The drivers side floor, had many holes in it, the trunk floor was a sheet of tin.. Such classy guys who worked on this car before.. Rrrrrr...

I see rust I freak out.

Me: Rick!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you fix this?

 

Wait!!! Wait!!! Wait!!!..........you never needed a new steering wheel!

 

Rick: Sure can!!!!!

Gotta Love this guy....

 

Hahahahaha, you fucker!!!!!!! IF you want that 11inch chain steering wheel. Its all YOURS!!!!

The steering wheel I purchased is going to get painted to match the interior...

 

I'll take it!!!

 

The good news is that when your done it will be yours! I am in the same boat, reworking it from one end to another, I plan to call it "Redeemed"