'49-'50 merc grille shell...tech????

i'm looking for a '49-'50 merc in the dfw area (without a grille) that i could measure???????

 

It can be done just think "mandrel bent tubing"

 

there must be a '49-'50 merc in the dfw area without a grille in it that i can measure.help a hamber out.

 

You don't need any tools at all. I made a "sort-of-Mercish" for my Chevy using tin snips, flat sheet metal, and for the outer part of the top curve I tapped with a round body hammer using my garage floor as an anvil. You end up with several seams and a lot of grinding, but you can make it any size or shape you want.

 

dave your chev rocks.what can i say?my problem is that i need to be able to do a good enough job that a person would have to work HARD to tell it wasn't genuine.in the end i may have to get a genny shell.from where i don't know.thats my problem.

 

fatford is selling a fiberglass one in the classifieds, get that, make yours, and then sell the fiberglass shell.

 

thanks john i might consider it.

 

yeah im surprised too. even if it was in several pieces that needed to be welded together it would be worth it, most of the time u gotta make stuff fit anyway

 

you supply the car.i supply the contour gauge,note pad,and the beer.

 

closing in on a possible solution...stay tuned.

 

WELL...i opened up the package that contained the two rusty pieces from FATFORD,thanks matt.there's enough there to make one.there's a guy in s. fransico that has made a wooden buck for these shells.he says he has made two shells using this buck.he's a 70 y.o. metal shaper.he says once he gets my measurements and sets up the buck it's $400.00.i dont know if he's interested in using the shapes from these parts.iv'e gotten some great ones with a 6" contour gauge.if he's not interested in using these shapes than i'll use these parts to make one for my new '50 shoebox. we'll see.

 

If his are good, then buy it, otherwise, buy a fiberglass remake, make some patterns off it, and make it out of steel. Been thinking about this one for a while, and don't understand why some of these patch panel companies don't jump on the bandwagon and stamp them out, course they would need work (also) to fit right..just like the rest of the shit they make!

 

Btw: for the guy doing the '51 surround...Section it back, or sink the nose back to line up with the hood, add material to the edge and make the inverse compound curves for the ends that wrap into the front fenders.

or somethin' like that..
Max.

 

It might be easier to take a 51 Merc grille shell and modify it. They are more plentiful.