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

Build Break.. Builder Love... SO while I was at the Extreme Kustoms. I start thumbing threw some magazines, and come across a West Coast Kustoms Newsletter/magazine. (I think I may have to join this club) Anyway, as I"m looking through the mag, I come across this article written about it's members and the builds they have going on. Guess whos mentioned in the first story? Thats right Rick Erickson of Extreme Kustoms...

Giving some love to Rick, and to West Coast Kustoms.. The picture of a Newsletter isnt from the one I found at the shop, but I thought you guys should know what thier newsletter looks like. A very high quality newsletter. Also, pictures of the article. I hope you guys can read it. I'm sure Rick is going to be embarrassed by this. He didnt know I snapped pictures of it. Oh Well GET OVER IT, Rick!...

Extreme Kustoms Rocks.............

 

After my last visit at Extreme Kustoms, Rick and I decided to move forward with a Temporary paint job, so we are taking advantage and fixing all the rust issues on the body.. Check this out...

Bye Bye Sclames.

 

Car is turning out great - I was a little worried in the beginning, there wasnt much good about it when you brought it home.
Cant wait to see the paint.

 

Hey All, Bumper and Grilling time!!!!

Check out the Before and After..

Better?

 

You have done a great job. Just one thought did you ever take a look at the new front design with out using that big heavy bumper guard.

Chuck

 

The transformation of this car has been incredible ! I am glad that you stuck with it and didnt give up on the original disapointment! That will all go away when you start cruising! Great job guys!

 

looks great! I just picked up a 1950 4 door Merc myself

 

Hey Chuck and Kemp,

Thanks for the compliments. Funny thing what you said Chuck, the boys at Extreme Kustoms said exactly what you did, BUT when I was researching what I wanted my Merc to look like I wanted a traditional 50's kustom. ( Exterior ) Back in the late 50's this combination of 1955 Pontiac bumper with winglets, 1952 Kaiser bumper guard, and a 1958 Corvette grill were quite common. You would never know it today because no body does it anymore. People will use the bumper, or the kaiser, or grill but noone uses the combincation, maybe for the reason yo said. Plus. everyone is hung up on the Desoto grills, and Buick spears, which I do love. So while I agree, slightly, it may be a bit heavy, I still love the look ( which is all that really matters anyway ) but I really love the tradition even more.

There is going to be some cutting and re shaping so it's not going to be as heavy as it looks in these pictures.. Rick has an incredible eye, so it's going to come out awesome, but he did agree with you.. F all you guys!!!!!!, hahahah jk...

Tony

 

I like the stock grill better. Those Vette grills never fit the opening. The bumper looks like it will work great!

 

Really enjoying watching this car come back 2 life way to stick with it

 

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed the thread so far, and that you and Rick are doing a great job saving that poor Merc.

 

I dig the vette girll man!

1shot

 

Thanks Guys, when your start these builds, and find the problems I did you just want to throw your hands in the air and say Screw it, but then something takes over ( ego ), and you say to yur self you're not going to let anything stop you from getting what you want. So you keep at it. You guys and your compliments good or bad make it all worth while.That first official cruise does as well.. hahah..

Hey One Shot, you working on my Tattoo? You see why I want it now, dont you?

Thanks Again Folks

 

just read the whole thing. effin A man. you've come a long way. lookin forward to seeing the finished product.

 

I saw this car listed on craigslist for quite a while, had a real awkward look to it, looking a ton better now. Between you and prostockjohn you guys are de-80's-ing Mercs on the quick! The stance and tires make this car a million times better. Are you contemplating doing a carson top? I think Rick makes them or sells them, that is a huge plus. Ive seen the made and it looks like a huge undertaking, but man oh man it would be cool!

 

nice job on two things:

1. Turning the thread around
2. Turning the car around from its terrible state. Looking a whole lot better.

 

Hrod, your Merc is looking great. So you are going for a late 50's/early 60's theme. Are you going to repaint the car right now too?

 

Hey PRo Stock thanks... Yeah, I originally wanted 50's strictly but parts, and styles just didnt really work for me when I got into it. So you're right 50's and 60's it is, with a pair of 70's bucket seats. May chnge that down the road as well.
As far as painting it, I wasn' going to but now I am. It's not going to be the final paint job, but it's going to be what I'm going to use for the next couple of years while I recoup some $$$ and can get the real paint job, and metal work done to it. I think I'm going to hardtop it, definitely redo the chop, and do some other things, but when it leaves Extreme Kustoms it's going to be pretty nice..
I am going to do, like people always say on thie board. "Drive the Wheels Off of it" until I'm ready to really go big time...

 

updates?

 

Great car man, all of them come with some hidden stuff. You scored with your shop choice it seems. Keep the faith and best to ya on the re-do. ~Sololobo~

 

Slepe,

Dont get me started about not having updates... Hopefully soon.

The Kustomrama show delayed my build, so show cars could get finished or ready for it.. Loved that show, but Damn! I want my bitch....

 

Hey Hugo it's looking great---Kustomrama just gave you a few new ideas--it was a great show--when Steph and I come back next Sept for the show(yes she is already talking about it) we want a ride---keep at it--your ideas are right on--Bob

 

I cant wait to see whats next! This has been one of the most interesting build threads ive read! Looks hella baddass tho! When your done you can start on my lincoln for me!

 

Hey All,

I know it's been awhile, but hey perfection takes time... Hahahahha... Anyway, so a mini update, but important one. If you've read this thread, you know what is very important to me is that my car, is a driver, a daily driver. Working windshield wipers,weather stripping, and doors that open and close the way the factory would have them do so.

So, my new bearclaw latches are geting installed. When the claws were getting installed Rick, found that my door hinges were screwed, and screwed royally. So my hinges had to be rebuilt. First they wouldnt come off of the car, and then once everything got stripped, the hinge pins wouldnt come out so a complete rebuilding had to be done.. Here are the pictures... I took some pics of the old latch mechanism so you can see the updated version.. By the way these Bear Claws, are awesome. They were voted by numerous websites and magazines as the best latches on the market, Hagan Auto. Here's the link http://www.haganauto.com/bear_claw_latches_s/98.htm

I'm going to post again, the new additional items I spoke with Rick today, that we are going to do....

 

I cant wait to see this car done!

 

So here's what going to happen in the front. This is where I got the idaea from my front end. The B&W photo was taken late 1959/60.. We are also going to reframe the grill opening, and peak it a little.. Its going to be one Baaaadddd 4 Door....

If anyone is wondering, the reshaping of the doors, and top are not going to be done this time around. I plan to drive it the way it is for the next 10 or so years, and then re do the chop, and doors, but don't worry what is going to be done is going to be impressive... BTW- I like the top that I have, cause if I didn't it would have been first on the list to get done..

 

HRod 50: You are doing a great job, and being patient, thinking it through as you go along, and listening to others ideas and not just throwing it together is what makes a Kool Kustom stand out. Looking forward to the finished product.

 

MIss-B-Haven, Stunt & Ibanez, thank you for the great words of encouragement. I tell you when you dive into these projects, they help big time..

BTW- On my car I'm losing the front turn signals, and keeping the single headlight look. I am going to get the head lights with the turn signal built in. It was suggested I was getting it a bit too cluttered, so it seemed like losing the turn signals was the wisest choice....

 

lookin good

 

When you say headlights with the turn signal built in, do you mean the Buick(?) headlights like the yellow car has? They look pretty good with that grill IMO.

Looking better all the time, I was just wondering the other day what was happening with this Merc. You are to be commended for saving this car even if it is a little painful on the wallet. When you finally get to drive it, you will not even remember the hassles you have gone through.

Keep at it & keep the faith, getting closer by the day to driving it again.