Finally getting started on rebuilding this old custom, main problem is that the lower third of the car is rusted out (looks like it sat in water for a period of time, lots of sand packed in between floor and mounts) and has to be replaced. Fortunately the rear fenders are in reasonably good shape, the flathead really sounds good and most of the pieces were with the car. For now I'm concentrating on rebuilding the body and then will decide how I want the car to look but have a ton of ideas, just hope I am around to finish them (not in any hurry on this car, just enjoy doing the work). I started by purchasing a set of outer rockers from Sherman because I didn't feel I had the equipment to make them and because I needed something with the correct dimensions to start building from. Once I had those I repaired the door posts, made the inner rocker (thanks to some help from HAMB guys who sent me pics. of correct rockers), and have the passenger side ready for floor boards. Have started replacing rear fender wells, made spare tire wheel well, and formed floor pans. I figure this project will probably be like all my others, take 7 years to finish- I am slow but will update as I go.
If you need other Merc sheetmetal, I fab that stuff. There's pics in the for sale section. Keep up the good work saving another one.
Good job so far! I love seeing and old one come back. I can tell its in good hands. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I like the flatty's too but this one appears to be in such good shape I may save it for a '34 I'd like to build Really appreciate the comments from you Matt, I've admired your work for a long time. I'm trying to make most of the parts myself but if I get stuck I know who I'm going to call!
Sure enough!! I should have picked up on that from your name and your avatar! Well, there is no doubt in my mind how nice this is going to turn out after seeing how nice your truck is!
Continuing to rebuild, have been asked several times why I didn't sandblast or dip the car before I started the rebuild and the answer is I was worried there wouldn't be enough left to make new patterns- with continuing to find new rust spots I'm beginning to think that decision was a mistake! I've cut out the wheel well, Was going to make some new ones but found some trailer fenders that with a little cutting and bending fit nicely (this is not a restoration project!) A LONG way to go! Thanks for looking.
Thanks Dr. Dave, looking forward to seeing you at the Stray Kat- obviously not bringing this one but hope to get to see yours again
Had a good week-end! Finished fenderwell Side panel was more rusted than I thought so had to replace the entire panel Made the patch panel and welded in Now ready for Stray Kat! Thanks for looking, still having fun%$#%$%@!
Looks great! You made more progress than I have. I spent two days messing around mounting my spotlights….lots of hours to do something I would have thought so simple. LOL
Continuing to have fun! Rust everywhere! Made patch and spotted in for lower front fender panel Made patch for right front inner fender well Welded in patch Primed and ready for fender Beginning to look like a Mercury, happy with fit. Thanks for looking, obviously a long way to go but am enjoying it.
Good thing I don't get paid by the hour!! Going to be doing drivers side now and since it is pretty much like the passenger side I'll be "off-air" until I get to the floor- hope that is soon! Definitely going to be following you though, I like the progress. See you at Stray Kat.
Between the weather and some other volunteer things I do progress has really been slow but I keep reminding myself this is a hobby not a job! At least it keeps me away from the TV. I do think one of my problems is that I still don't know what I want it to look like when it is done. I really like projects that are different but unfortunately for me I'm beginning to realize I can't come up with an idea that someone else hasn't tried. I continue to find rust everywhere, it is really hard for me to understand how it got this bad but it is what it is. Here is my current progress : I had to cut out the entire drivers side fenderwell area, installed fenderwell made and installed new fenderwell and rebuilt upper part of quarter panel and cleaned up Starting work on fender, I know I'm not going to make Stray Kat with this car this year but hope remains eternal for next year! Besides, my sons aren't any further along than I am! Stay warm.
Wow!! That's a lotta work right there! Glad to see you are still making progress. I'm sure you will start to get a vision for what you want by the time you get that far. [emoji3]
Thanks Dr. Dave, always appreciate your comments! Saw the new purchase and really like it, has it slowed progress on your Merc.? Did get a little more done this week-end but back to colder than hell today (for us) but its stock show time so that's just the way it is! Hope you are doing ok, look forward to catching up with you in May if not before then.
Well, actually, I haven't made too much progress on anything, but I don't think I can totally blame the new Chevy. I'm not going to be able to work too much this winter in the shop either, but hopefully the year ahead will bring more progress.
Finally getting a little more work done, driver's side rear fender was a disaster. I would really have preferred to find a replacement but as you know these 51's are one of a kind and anything I found at swap meets cost far more than I was willing to spend or just as bad as the one I had. As a result I rebuilt the rear fender. I was able to "borrow" a pair of skirts from my son/grandson to use to see if I had the contours right. Originally I wasn't going to use skirts but after installing them I liked the looks- maybe they wont' miss them! My plan was to finish the inner front fender and then start on the floors but I think I have finally decided what I want to do with the car- make a wagon! I have seen one other one done and want to try for a little different look but really like the idea. Since the body is already braced up I'm planning to start on the top as soon as I can find a donor top that will look good. Would appreciate any ideas on a donor top that might fit reasonably well. Thanks for looking.
I've signed on and have a room ( Hampton and Quality were already full so it sounds like a good turnout) so if weather cooperates I'll be there. Did you get to LSRU? I've never made that one and as close as it is you would think I would have but it always happens on a bad week-end for me- I do hope to make it next year. Look forward to seeing you again, will have some friends from Kansas City coming to!
Excellent! See you there. Planning on bringing the new Chevy this year. We did run down to the Roundup, but didn't bring a car. It's a fun show and a fun town, we always enjoy that trip....not that there is a trip we don't enjoy. Lol
I'll bet you do have fun! Looking forward to seeing everyone. Many thanks, taking a long time but I do enjoy it.
The Stray Kat 500 really got me pushing to get back on this project so in spite of a lot or rain lately I was able to get most of the rusted out sections repaired. Finished Drivers side front fender brace Installed outer rocker panel Finished patch Repaired inner fender Glad to be putting it back together! Now the fun part begins! With having to remove much of the fenders due to rust I'm going to free lance the look I want, will start with a pair of 53 Buick rims I found and go from there. Still haven't decided if I'm going to make a wagon or chop the top so will be working on front and rear until I do. Thanks for looking!
Love to see the progress on this car, but not personally feelin' the wagon idea. Maybe if it was a 4 door that lost it's rear window section to a coupe chop or something, but you've already got a real nice coupe roofline on the car. Of course I could be proven wrong, but I like what you've done so far, just fixing what needs fixing. Looking forward to seeing more.
Looking good!! You have no fear, that's evident. [emoji1] It's all I can do to try to do "fun" stuff much less tackle all the rust. LOL
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