SlowandLow63,hey..we're fast but not that much...i started 1st december with the Merc ,so is 3 weeks aprox... i'm going full time with it....my goal is to have it running in 3/4 months,will see.... but i'll keep quality in mind,so i don't wanna rush... the facility helps for sure,and more tools are comin too... english wheel and so on...
punkabilly,YES...ordered a Fatman IFS with front disc brakes ,should be here in few days... so will spend my Christmas days full time welding and keep going it... actually is a fun sort of challenge,curious to see how long it takes to complete the thing... i like more traditional style ,but mexican roads really suck and lots of traffic..some safety issues are priority here...
Bad Bob,was just waitin for ya to show up....yeah,is like a swiss cheese.lots of holes and missing parts but we don't care...my trusted friend Tom has magic hands,and i'm curious to see it first time with me in action... as said before,is a lot of work but hate to waste such car... and i'm like you,i love em... i collect the other ones for the same reason,they will be kustoms sooner or later... can we say worldwide sickness??
Muncie,i know some more also...but i don't wanna buy em now....otherwise you never start fixin 1. so,i forced myself to start without lookin back..but in case i know where they are to pick it up in case...
I wish more guys would try to save them,than just cut them up and scrap them! Some just take more work and dedication to bring them back. Not to mention...money too! After seeing some of the build pics on here lately,i'm sure more guys will think twice about passing one up. "MERC ON!!!"
Bob,thanx for the support..i knew i could count on you here...well,i'm followin the Merc Dream since a kid and i can't take it off from me..is just permanent part of my life,same as many out there.. is so cool to share it here lot of sweat and i cannot imagine a better place to be nowadays ... you bet i'll do my best to save all the Mercs around Mexico,no doubt about it.. of course is always matter of many reasons but when you'll drive the thing is just priceless...and addicting too!!!you want more!!
I've had my issues with mine,but drive it almost everyday! Even if it's just to the market. Yes...it is addicting! One word....EGO! Can't get enough of "nice car","what year is it?","isn't that the car from Cobra?","love the flames". LOL!
Sled, man you are on the right track. Keep it up and stay on track. It can be done!!! Let me know if you need any help. Always wanted to got to Mexico City!!!! Keep us posted!!! If it would help, i have the cowl and part of the A pillers from the two door I cut up. I dont know how I wouLd get it to you without costing a load!! I also kept the complete speaker deck that attaches to the bottom of the 50 window frame. ETHER
Ether,appreciate your kind words and the parts help..that's the reason to be in Hamb,to share the opinions with fellow members.. looks like there are a good number of Mercs saved from the chrusher recently... well,luckily such cars are still around here,found a good number of em! in case of help will PM you,but here we're not scared to fix or cut anything actually is good fun and of course everybody comes up with his personal idea,but i have the lines in mind already for the top.... i'll stick to it! thanx for the A pillars,sure needed but we're too far away..build em from scratch already what 's exactly the speaker deck you're sayin?? where goes mounted ??? btw,congrats on your built,great job....
here shortly the A pillar gone.a new one made in 3 different pieces joined togheter has been made...there are some inside lips and angles to fit,and is a bit tricky to weld it up togheter in a proper way...the rain gutter goes inside too!
the fabrication started,lots of measurements for the replacement panels all over...18 gauge cold steel used,same as original. floor trunk made,we'll start weldin soon....
some more fabrication details..gas door shut and keep on weldin...just the general idea of course... fellas,these are the last pix i have ,more to follow as soon i have some more work done.. My Christmas will be dedicated to work on the car,is much more fun than party around... and here temperature is like summertime,so is kinda pleasent to stay outside,put some rockabilly music and let's weld.... Merry Christmas to all of you....soon sled
punkabilly,most of the crowns and curves comes from old shool metal skills,using all what you have on hand on shaping... mostly handmade with anything available to get the shapes desired. but in the real world ideally having access to english wheels ,bead rollers and shrinkers would be the best solution....
Sam F,thanx for the kind words...will keep workin on the Merc these Christmas holidays full time... as soon i have some serious progress will post more,no worries.... actually i'm waitin from Usa some more parts and tools..hope to get them soon to really speed up the job....
this thread is some good inspiration, glad to see some people see projects as projects still and not just "parts car"
punkabilly,i hate thinkin to part a coupe Merc..no matter wich conds !! instead will have a moredoor car,but i'll save the coupe... and here around is not so difficult to find such cars either... well,not every day thing but still i know some around to grab what i need...and the rest i'll just make it,easy as that!
B pillar lower posts built from scratch...all new!no messin around with small patches... did already the other side also... plus lots of small panels done ready later on to start weldin in...
some more parts done,placed just for mock up...as you see the lower rockers (inner/outer ) are gone.need a big bead roller to build em in 1 piece... but is slowly comin togheter...lots of measurements to puzzle all pieces togheter.in any case will keep all templates for the next car,lot of time saved at the distance... yeah,some more projects going on too...
X38,well...you need to start with something,right?? PS.got a mate that owns 2 slopers,39/40 ford...both de luxe!! rare as hell,as you know....
Awesome job! This just shows that ANYTHING is re-buildable!! Looks like 50 Merc and 40 Merc did when I started. KICK ASS!!!! December has been Merc Month on the HAMB!!!
Mazdaslam,i'm sure lots of guys are doing this kinda job...in my scandinavian trips i met plenty of guys lost up there in the middle of nowhere and buiding awesone cars,mosty from junked moredoor cars... and the most humble people you can imagine... so,there is plenty of good talent and DO'ers in my opinion... of course takes lot of energy to rebuild at this stage a car,and bucks too... bu what a satisfacion later on when you drive the thing....no money can pay the big smile!!! yeah,hopefully we see more Mercs on the go after the december threads... more updates soon....
The Jalopy Journal
