Projects Accidentally Bought a 40 Merc Coupe

Anyone have a side profile pic of this car? From the angle in this pic, it may be similar to what I am thinking for mine.

 

Not sure Mark, but that one does flow well and is a lot like what I am thinking as far as profile of the chop. It appears very similar if not the same car to the other one from what I can see. Thanks!

 

i would guess so, they have the same rocker molding treatment
(EDIT, yes it is the same car )

 

Driving a right hand drive car in the states is a bitch, I know because I have one. Drive through windows are all on the Drivers side for US cars. Passing is a bitch, especially in a chopped top car.

 

The factories would have done most, if not all of them all like that, for obvious reasons. They were not designing with RHD in mind. Placing the starter out of the way on the passenger side makes sense.

 

Great example of why it is a folly to ask for paint codes and wanting to colour match a photo of a car.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

Take a good side shot of yours.
Do some photoshop chopping.
In my pro days we’d put tape on the A, B and C posts of a know size or even a measured grid. That info could be used to get chop dimensions really close.
On my last visit, my old shop was chopping a 51 merc. They had a 1:1 print of the roof and belt line area on the wall beside it. The print had both stock height and chopped. Basically a blueprint for the side profile.

 

I look at that car daily on my work computer wallpaper and have a couple different pics of it for that as motivation... However, I didn't have either of the last two you posted, so thanks! Now, if only I could get started on my own.

 

Looking forward to when you can, bet its going to be a great looking car.

 

No progress…but did finally get my spare hood picked up yesterday while I was in Tulsa.

Not that I plan to crash it, but I suppose I basically have two complete front clips now.

 

Not 110% certain, but I think all the Olds sold here had inline engines. In fact I think all the GM products sold here up to the 60's had I8 or I6 engines. Fords had the V8's: flathead, Y block, FE, Windsor, Cleveland.

 

Me too.

 

Here’s a naked 39 to study cuts with

 

Well, that is about 10x what I have in mine so far. Maybe I can come out ok in the end once mine is done as long as I count my time worth $1 an hour or so. Although, I won’t be selling it after that much work either so the time part really doesn’t matter.

 

Just do what you want with what you got . Time invested means nothing. Get to work!

 

Getting paid for the time building a car only applies when it is a job. Since this is your hobby, time spent is simply a part of enjoying your hobby!

 

Yea, I was mainly joking and also talking to the voice in my head that sometimes questions why I wouldn’t just buy a done car over a major project. But, the reality is I have done both and love the build as well as driving it when done. And, I am cheap as well and my time is free. So, my choice is always to build when it comes to something like this. Also, I have been doing bodywork since I was 12 and have wanted to chop something for years. That is this project.

 

Yea...that is pretty kool... But, I am starting to think you are kind of like a drug dealer putting all these temptations in front of me...

Maybe I could accidentally buy a 40 (or 39) convertible like @MMM1693

 

Oh, and it is now on my watch list Mark...thanks.

 

It’s way less than I could rebuild my 47 ragtop. Hummmmm lol