Projects Accidentally Bought a 40 Merc Coupe

Where’s the keys to that Time Machine? Lol
Very Kool Jeff . I’m excited for You . You’ll be cruising before You know it .

 

And to think that I have you to either thank or blame for this whole deal Kurte. I’m truly thankful that you told me about the auction. This will be the traditional custom that I have wanted to build since I started paint and bodywork almost 40 years ago now. It’s all coming together.

 

so you can see it is a bypass oil filter and oils the timing chain....

 

Thanks Larry!

 

I don't know why I can't find the casting number for the block...this would make you believe it is earlier than '57 which I am sure....I was thinking it was '53 but not certain. I had this engine awhile and I just don't remember...I know I went thru the exercize. Maybe the casting numbers on the heads can help you figure it out...at least what the heads are....

 

Exactly! A buddy of mine sent me that same pic via text today. Maybe I should take these suggestions as hints? It is motivating for sure. Maybe there will be a kool one at the Gathering at the Roc this weekend to also help with motivation.

 

40 Merc coupes were made ugly so that people didn't feel bad about chopping them up
They need a haircut!

 

40 merc coupes are not that bad looking stock, and can be messed up by chopping to much

 

Yeah they look great stock all ya gotta do is hold
your hand over anything above the door handles

 

I enjoyed our conversation this weekend. Love your plans with the Merc. Going to be too Kool!

 

I built this one in the late '90s, Jack Walker has it now, he's been dragging it around to some of the winter shoes. It's another one I wish I didn't sell.

 

This is my new phone background for motivation…. Took the pic at the Gathering at the Roc. Mine won’t be hard-topped, but will keep the b-post. I’m pretty sure I have figured out pretty much exactly how I want to chop it.

Thanks for all the help with motivation guys. I’m getting closer to working on it all the time.

 

I kept saying over and over “I’m done with fat fendered cars but damn if these customs aren’t making me feel some sort of way”

Looking forward to seeing you progress on this

 

Fat fenders forever!

 

I'm looking forward to the day when the title of the thread changes to "I accidently started working on my 40 merc coupe". This is going to be a nice one

 

Me too!

 

I know this is probably a bad idea…but after riding around in a few hot rods down under, RHD seems like an interesting touch for a car in the states. And, I definitely got some motivation to get this car going after being down here.

 

Jeff, I am in the no chop club when it comes to 40 Fords, especially P.U. and coupes. I have always felt Henry nailed it with P.U. and coupes in 1940. After studying the pix in post 336 I feel you just gotta do it!

 

Do you like a challenge? With RHD, everything is on the driver's side: the steering column, steering box and pedals and brake master cylinder obviously, plus the starter (big obstacle) then you have to run exhaust through as well.

 

I still want your 56 LOL

 

Fresh build from FB Taildragger Thursday group.

 

P.S. Love the Caddy

 

I fully agree with both. 40 Fords flow great just the way Henry built them. But, 40 Mercs have to be chopped since the roof seems like an afterthought.

Yea, I understand that but wouldn’t it be basically the same no matter which side it was on? I guess I haven’t looked at which side of the motor the starter is on to know that for sure on the Caddy. If it is like a SBC, I can see your point. I was just thinking of Pontiac motors I have had that I was thinking were on the opposite side.

Anyway, the real answer is that I will build it LHD since it would seem that if I ever decided to sell it, I would be really limiting my market by it being RHD in the states. Just seemed like something that would be interesting like having a LHD car down here.

 

Good point which would be the same issue here with a LHD I suppose and something I haven’t thought of.

I was just looking at some pics of Caddy engines to figure that out as well. Thanks

 

A local guy had a 65 Pontiac that was made for foreign export. It spent several years somewhere in Europe before coming back to Canada. The car was built so that it could be switched back and forth between LHD and RHD. He had all the parts to switch it to RHD, but while he owned it kept it as LHD. I have no idea how changing the brakes and throttle worked.

You could build it to work either way, but it would probably be too much work to change it that you'll just leave it the one way.