i have a '47 merc and would like to ***emble as much material on chopping and sectioning befor i do something stupit. could someone direct me to posts/threads or other sites that have good information and pictures of a "hardtop chop" on a similar roof and... Has anybody succesfuly done a good chop on the '46-'48 ford/Merc ? I've had this car for donkeys years and find it particularly ugly. in the 80's i had a breakup that sent me to the garage where the Merc got a Camaro clip, chev rear, lincoln seats, paint, visor, spots, etc. drove it for about 10 years then put it into the barn. so now I'm getting a bit antsy to pull it out and get back to her. Show her some love, so-to-speak. Any help or direction would be apreciated.
Look around and you'll find plenty of pictures of chopped '46-'48 Fords and Mercs. Try Rikster's site, too (http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/ ). There are some really cl***ic late '40s/early '50s kustoms built from those years Ford and Merc coupes. With a nice chop, some dechroming, and maybe a grille change those are some beautiful cars. I can't remember who built it or owned it, but there is a well-known chopped and sectioned coupe from that era that is absolutely fantastic. (Rikster will remember the details, I'm sure, but if you just look for photos of a dark green one, that's it. You'll know it when you see it.)
46-48 Mercurys are gorgeous cars.... Perhaps you should consider selling it to somebody who will love your car instead of cutting it up an hoping it will give you satisfaction that way. Barris built.. Dave Guymond built for Jim Baker Same car.. different hubcaps and no skirts...
Here's the neatest, most well thought out and executed chop I've ever seen on this body style..... Definitely not an ugly car Rich
I guess nobody noticed that you asked for a hardtop chop pics. This guy is a local around here. I think it is a 47 or 48 ford. Awesome car though!!! In person, it is so ***s!!! Same Car just before the paint
Janne Kutja designed this wonderful 47 Ford HT... Erickson's Extreme Kustoms built this 41 Merc HT. The car is now In Australia... 41 Ford... Janne Kutja Photo
I know where there is one of these at, this is making me think about picking it up. there is a lot of nice rides here.
Restoration Pro Larry Lyles did a complete restoration series on a 46 coupe for Auto Restorer Magaine, including step by step directions for a cool chop. He used masking tape and Adobe Photoshop to find the right chop he was after before he ever picked up a saw. Very cool ideas. Check it out at: http://eastwood.squarespace.com/ You can email Larry direct at: www.lplbodyworks.com Larry is a cool guy amd will answer any questions. I think there is a video for sale on the entire buildup. olpaul
OK now were realy cookin Great to see so many people have a sense of the beast and as Ive noticed on the HAMB , were not all nuts! Though most people wouldnt ever understand that overwhelming urge that comes over us in the presence of rods and old cars like this, clearly they are the looser. A detail of the hardtop chop that has alluded me so far is the door and window treatment. I can see cutting the B pillar out but the finish at the top of the door jamb and the modifications to the lower jamb to install windows. I just dont see it yet. Does the window treatment and door jamb detail follow a 60s frameless door-window set up? (I live where it rains and snows so windows are a must.) So the rear window rubber fits behind the door gl*** and the door gl*** slaps against a fixed rubber on te roof/door jamb? The 40 custom recently done by http://www.tedsrodshop.com and the pictures they attach to their site, of the build are brilliant. Im looking for that on the 46-48, my 47 in the end. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o> </o>
I'm hoping to attach the current state of my merc here but being that I live at the end of a long road, out in the sticks, dial-up is all i have. And i havn't a real clue how to do all this stuff. Hammer to brow should get it done.
i think the 1/4 window look is better, the hard top looks like every other hardtop chop out there. of course i like the original version as i have a '47 ford un chopped.
If you can find one, then the side windows from a VW Bug convertible could be ideal, with a bit of reshaping anyway.
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