Projects Accidentally Bought a 40 Merc Coupe

Good get. Sounds like you had a fun day. Snowman ⛄️

 

I consider that a win. I love accidents like that. Tell the wife you are going to an auction to shoot the crap with friends and come home with a truckload and a vehicle. Did that once or twice, ok quite a few times but the wife is onto me now. She is actually surprised when I come home empty handed and want to know if I even went to the auction then.

Another accidents I like is going to town for something to eat and end up buying a car while sitting at the tavern eating lunch/breakfast. That is how I brought my '28 model a and my '48 Packard hearse. Just never know who might need money and it pays to carry some cash on you just in case these temptations happen.

I even brought the model a sight unseen but for the price the guy wanted and I knew the guy and it had a title so I just handed him cash and I was pleasantly surprised what it turned out to be. I was expecting a strip carcass but he actually described it pretty accurate which I didn't believe for the price he wanted but apparently he was really desperate for some money that day.

 

Great car! It'll look like this in no time!

 

Great timing. Buying the ultimate lead sled after taking a top chop seminar.

 

LMAO!! Love the title to the thread..... I head a rumor that you joined the Merc family. Congratulations! Looks like a kool find.

 

I’m glad I’m not the only one that “accidentally” buys cars…

 

To reach that in no time, I would needs LOTS of help.

 

I got a chuckle out of "Accidentally bought". That happens a lot with us old car nuts. My current project is an "accidental" buy. I had a 56 Studebaker Golden Hawk that needed windshield trim, better fenders, etc. There was an auction near here that had a couple dozen Studebakers, one of which was a 53 Starliner hardtop that was an old drag car, complete with big opened up rear wheel wells with flares. It was just junk but had decent windshield trim and OK fenders. So, that is what I went to buy. I did get that bought. There was also a pretty decent 53 Champion Starlight Coupe. I wasn't really paying attention or had any intention of buying it, but it went for a fair price, so I bought it. But, it had a broken grille and there was a 53 Commander Coupe that had that grille piece, so I bought it. So, I just went to try to get windshield trim and bought 3 cars. Turns out, the 53 Starlight was in better shape than my Golden Hawk and my intentions of modifying was better suited for the 53. I have sold the Hawk and now working on my "accidental" 53.

 

You can’t go wrong with a ’41 Mercury coupe. It’s like a blue chip stock.

 

Yep, that’s exactly how this stuff works sometimes.

 

Silas hasn't sold the Edsel yet, but is actually trying now. I think once he got to the point of considering what he could do with the money, he at least wants to see if he can get decent money for it. He recently tripped across a 68 C10 that would be an easy one to get going and driving and then maybe he could spend most his time and money on his 63 C10 project which is what he really wants done. We will see...

 

Absolute first thing I plan to do is find some way better rollers for the car. There is just something about trying to envision the end product and having goofy wheels and tires on a car that I struggle with. I believe I have wheels that I can bolt on the rear and have some whitewalls that might fit. But, I will likely need to find some front wheels for now. But, that will help a huge amount immediately.

 

Killer project! For me the Mantranga Merc is the gold standard for 39-40 Mercs.
https://www.customcarchronicle.com/cc-builders/barris-kustom-shop/nick-matranga-mercury/

And to echo roothawg, Bello's Kustom's in San Diego builds some killer kustoms. Check out his youtube channel.

 

I sold a set of 40-48 Ford steal wheels that were in good shape for $150 a few years ago. Now people are asking $100 a wheel. It's getting harder to be in this hobby.

 

Naw, thats just his graphics to go with the IROC wheels!

 

Thanks for the link on the Mantranga Merc. I have seen lots of pics of that car but didn’t realize it was built as early as it was. More to consider now.

Yea, last nice set I had I gave away to a buddy building a Model A.

 

The only 2 things wrong on those Mercs is the roofline made for wearing your Fedora and the rear wheel well arches. The arches always looked to me like something a kid building a model in the 60s would have carved out with a hotknife when removing the fender skirts. Weird shape, too far forward......

 

Also, Larry Teel had 2 39 Mercs he parted out. I think he still has various parts and pieces, might be worth asking him to see if he has anything you need.

 

Yep, I did think of that so thanks for the reminder. That’s actually where the flathead came from as well.

 

That's why the kustom route suits this platform. The skirts fix the wheel opening issue, and the chop fixes the awful top.

 

Eggzactly

 

Great project, congrats on getting one of your dream cars. The stock roof on those is just goofy looking, like they are higher in back than front. But a nice chop and making it flow turns magic. That chop class is going to be a big help when you get to chopping it. I agree that the taildragger custom is the style best for them.

 

Accidentally yep for sure! Great score, gotta love auctions.

 

The roof on the Merc coupe is difficult. I always thought that they looked like a Mercedes. But you can work with 'em and that is part of the fun.

One thing that used to happen to the Merc coup a lot was a Carson or Carson style top. That is a custom too, so good and gooder.

When I was a little kid there was one running around the Bay Area that was chopped just a little bit (if memory serves my dad said 2 or 3") and had a *Carson style top. I always thought it looked like one of those New York movie tuff guys with his hat pulled down low over his eyes.

*there was a place in the East Bay that did the same type of top. I don't remember the name of it. Maybe someone does.

 

with how many times ive seen people "accidentally" buy a pre war car at an auction i might start looking on auction sites... how much did she cost you?

 

Lol...pretty sure it was below what most would pay but still more than I like to pay for this old stuff. If it didn’t have $2000 worth of suspension parts under the rear already, I wouldn’t have spent what I did because I am cheap... Is that elusive enough for you on an actual price?

 

Congrats!

 

so around 3500? not bad for a '40. so far the average price of what i've bought is 1,000 even, its also the median and mode.

 

I’ve accidentally shit my pants in the past .


I like your accident's much better than mine !

cool car .

my vote is chop , skirts , lowering , wheels and cruise .

paint and interior to your liking .