Rear window would have been a great bargaining chip in price negotiations! Other than that, it's super cool. I'd be willing to bet there's a multitude of sins under all that plastic around the rear window. I envision all kinds of words and lots of "Oh my God's" when finding them all. Andy
Thanks everyone for the kind words! Gents, yes I knew the rear window needed fixing. I’ve located a rear window donor and cutout. Now to find out what’s underneath there! I’ve been focused on the wiring and have pretty much everything done. It has the Dakota Dash, so that’s pretty cool! Drives nice for what it is, so it’s fixing to get some cutting done and the window frame welded in. I’m learning patience on this one! Panheadsully
Nice Merc. Yep the rear window has to go. This is one of those times when you wonder what the hell were they thinking. Must of been high at the time. Anyway, if you need a '51 back window, I have a frame section, glass, all the stainless trim, and a new gasket available if you find yourself looking for one. I'm near the east coast however.
Thank you very much for the offer on the rear window. I actually found a 1950 Merc Window with stainless trim for 20 bucks on Marketplace. Then found a 1950 rear cutout, as my understanding it’s more difficult to lay in a 1951 Window when chopped. I removed the upper trim and welded up the door handle openings as I’m going to use solenoids to open the doors. Also, I’m frenching in the headlights. I was able to locate all of the factory dash switches, so at this point everything in the car is working minus the wipers. I need to shorten up a set of wiper arms to fit the chopped window. The next thing I’m looking for is the Drivers side door window garnishing. I have the passenger side, but not the driver. I’m having some difficulties finding one. The other item is trying to find a bench seat frame. I’d really would like to run the stock bench split seat, but that appears to be challenging to find as well. Anyone have any suggestions on something that would possibly work in there? The seat bolts to the frame. pics coming soon! Thank you!
There’s quite a bit of Bondo involved here. But the metal looks good. I’m thinking take the bondo down as much as possible and start fresh and fix the bondo areas. I have a 50 window opening that I’d like to go with as again, all I hear is 51 windows are hard to find and hard to fit when chopped. I’ll form the sheet metal and tack in the window opening from the 50. The current opening is larger than the 50 opening. Do I just leave the 51 opening in place and work from it, or remove it completely and start over? Thoughts?
Looks like the last guy couldn't find a '51 rear window either. Must have had one at one time. Either somebody broke it and couldn't find one, or they screwed up the frame when they chopped it, so the glass wouldn't fit any more. Just my 2c, but it seems a pity to use a '50 window, as the '51 glass looks so good when it's laid down.
I’m going to take some measurements of the window opening and check for squareness etc. Is there anybody that can send me their measurements on a stock 51 window opening? Thank you!
Man, If there is really an entire 51 window opening there I think I would carefully trim down to it, make sure it is square and true and put a 51 window back in it. 51 windows look awesome in a chopped car. I can't imagine the Hirohata car with a 50 window can you?
No! It needs the 51 Window! A few more pics after today’s efforts. The window from center of hood to the top, daylight to daylight is 20.5”. Can anyone confirm on their 51 what that measurement is? Thanks! Sully
I agree that reinstalling a 51 back glass is the best fix for this project. Let's hope that the choice to do what it had prior wasn't due to poor work on the Chop that distorted the opening so that a stock 51 glass didn't fit well enough to seal properly. We'll find something locally to verify prior to going any further.
wait! Someone covered the 51 rear window with what was there when you bought it? that seems crazy. I hope you can find a 51 window and make it work. That's a nice car and the right rear window will be a game changer
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275834592191 https://www.metropartsmarket.com/glass/classicautoglass-c2s6.html https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...y-windshield-rear-window-installation.826075/ Parts manual so you can search by part number (glass and all the other stuff) https://www.patwalshrestorations.net/pat-walsh-restorations/mercury-main-page/mercury-1949-1951/ https://kustomrama.com/wiki/1951_Mercury
You uncovered gold when you deep sixed the "dog nostrils" rear window to find a 51 frame! The only sure course is to lay a 51 glass in there to see if the sheet metal surround is dead on or wonky. Well worth the tedious work, if it needs some metal work adjustment to make the opening perfect!!! You said you plan to french the headlights. PLEASE, do not use Hagan headlight rings. Look at some early 50's Mercs such as the Bettancourt or Wally Welch Customs for inspiration. https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Louie_Bettancourt's_1949_Mercury
Wow, thank you all for the replies, links and encouragement! Next path is to find a 51 window and trim. Sully
ebfab, you have no location in your bio. What part of the Country are you in and is that for sale? A hands on test fit is what's needed for panheadsully's project before he spends another several hundred dollars on pieces and shipping.
@ebfabman is on the east coast. Might be worth the shipping to get the whole package... also the glass is repopped https://www.ebay.com/itm/275834592191
I agree, but. The new Glass in his hands is a little over $750.oo. If the opening won't take the new glass due to work on the top, then he may need the surround as well (maybe not". I'm lending a little help being he's not all that far away and trying to find something a little more local we can set in place to answer all the questions with.
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