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Projects Accidentally Bought a 40 Merc Coupe

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by guthriesmith, Jan 12, 2023.

  1. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It’s rough, but for $500 it was worth it to me for garnish moldings, trunk hinges, maybe another frame, as well as lots of other usable stuff. To be honest, the guy had originally told me $100 for it, but I felt bad not giving him more. My plan was to offer him $400 to make it worth his son not wanting it. But, seems they needed $500 to post bail. Apparently last time I went by a month ago and some other folks said they hadn’t seen him in two weeks, he was in jail then. So, seems he has been there for over a month now. Hopefully they can get him out tomorrow. And, honestly, as mentioned, this car could be buildable if someone wanted to. I just need parts so maybe someone else can use what I don’t need.
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2025
  2. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,301

    Outback
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NE Vic

    Woohoo, what a good way to finish the story. I like the Carson Vert idea too :cool::D
     
  3. 54delray
    Joined: Dec 18, 2004
    Posts: 1,776

    54delray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Fremont NE

    Good save. So you designed the "Ditch Witch"? You should have called it the "Merc Jerk", since that's what it helped you do ... jerk that old Merc out of what could have been its final resting place.
     
  4. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Lol! Too bad that machine is no longer in production or we might have had a new name for it. :D

    Oh, and the reason my son is laying on the car as we were pulling it out is to avoid the copperheads... We weren't sure where they went so didn't get on the ground very often... :eek:

    IMG_3263.jpeg
     
  5. winduptoy
    Joined: Feb 19, 2013
    Posts: 4,099

    winduptoy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    you had me at 'steak sandwich'
     
  6. 05snopro440
    Joined: Mar 15, 2011
    Posts: 2,950

    05snopro440
    Member

    You lost me at copperheads. Nope. :p
     
    chryslerfan55, SS327, drdave and 6 others like this.
  7. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,376

    Squablow
    Member

    The owner was in county jail for a month for lack of five hundred bucks? Am I reading that right? Damn.

    Super glad you ended up getting the car, even if it's just for bits and pieces, although the sheetmetal doesn't look horrible, maybe some of that will find a new home, too. And the bail money thing really makes a great story. Any fate is better than leaving it lay there forever for a future 'mud buggy' build.

    Also, pretty shocking that you'd just stumble across this parts car at all, they're super rare.
     
  8. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Well, seems bail was actually $12k but $1200 is what the bondsman needed to post it. They have been collecting up the money and were just $500 short.

    Anyway, yea, my son was just telling me how his friends thought I was nuts for buying a junk car like that just for a few pieces. But, the hunt and story were half of the fun too. :D
     
  9. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 3,776

    SS327

    Seems like a bargain. Where else could you get that much entertainment for that price? Certainly not a Disney resort.
     
  10. mlagusis
    Joined: Oct 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,252

    mlagusis
    Member

    Nice story about the caved in Merc. There looks to be a decent amount of god parts on that thing
     
  11. Greg Rogers
    Joined: Oct 11, 2016
    Posts: 1,011

    Greg Rogers
    Member

  12. Okie Pete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2008
    Posts: 6,029

    Okie Pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It’s the stories about hunting for parts and the people you meet along the way . It all adds to the history of the car and the experience. A person could buy something built if they want to . But a shell of a Merc protected by copperhead snakes that’s priceless lol
     
  13. straykatkustoms
    Joined: Oct 30, 2001
    Posts: 27,689

    straykatkustoms
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Wow what an adventure. I can't believe what you had to clear out just to get to it. @54delray Merc Jerk? That funny Lol!
     
  14. Chopped52deluxe
    Joined: Sep 5, 2009
    Posts: 205

    Chopped52deluxe
    Member
    from illinois

    Where'd you find pics of my Merc ? LOL
     
  15. FB
     
  16. Chopped52deluxe
    Joined: Sep 5, 2009
    Posts: 205

    Chopped52deluxe
    Member
    from illinois

    Attached Files:

    Outback, porkshop, Dos Cincos and 6 others like this.
  17. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Man…that looks great! :cool:

    IMG_3404.jpeg
     
  18. Chopped52deluxe
    Joined: Sep 5, 2009
    Posts: 205

    Chopped52deluxe
    Member
    from illinois

  19. Yea.

    that’s dang near perfect
     
  20. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Pretty sure I can work with this skirt I picked up yesterday to make two alike. It is slightly different, but a great start to a pair.

    IMG_3485.jpeg
     
  21. Okie Pete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2008
    Posts: 6,029

    Okie Pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    No one will remember what one side looks like as they walk around your car lol
     
  22. MMM1693
    Joined: Feb 8, 2009
    Posts: 1,508

    MMM1693
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    At least you found two decent ones
     
  23. bangngears
    Joined: Aug 30, 2007
    Posts: 1,303

    bangngears
    Member
    from ofallon mo

    How was accidently buying the coupe when you jumped in front of the auctioneer? Im confused.
     
  24. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Good point. I think it was more that I wasn’t planning to buy it when I showed up at the auction. :rolleyes:
     
    MMM1693, porkshop, Outback and 2 others like this.
  25. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Little by little…Had to go by Sid’s tonight to get some parts to rebuild my fuel pump on the 51 and came home with a set of 40 tags too.

    IMG_3497.jpeg
     
  26. banditomerc
    Joined: Dec 18, 2005
    Posts: 2,509

    banditomerc
    Member

    so true...the Hirohata had differences on sides..
     
  27. Sprout
    Joined: Mar 26, 2001
    Posts: 895

    Sprout
    Member

    Last edited: Sep 16, 2025
  28. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,738

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Got the parts Merc off the ground and rolling today. :p

    IMG_3718.jpeg
     
    Deutscher, 54delray, Outback and 9 others like this.
  29. They’ll buff out. Hehe.
     
    porkshop, Okie Pete and guthriesmith like this.

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