Projects new member,converting 80s merc custom

My name is Justin I live in Burleson tx. Picked up my first mercury project yesterday,unfortunately it was an 80s custom build so I have a lot of work to get it back to 50-60s style custom. Car is solid overall,has fibergl*** front end,hood and roll pan which I will be replacing with steel as soon as I collect the parts. Car had a bbc in it I will be putting another one in it shortly.plan is to have it drivable while I work on getting it the way it should be.any advice would be greatly appreciated. Will update as I go. How do I post pics from cell phone btw?

 

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Hello from Wisconsin

 

Looks like a cool merc. Hopefully them 80's nerds didn't paint any chrome

 

No painted chrome. They just removed all of it. Slowly digging thru the car to see what I'm up against. Truck floor is rusted on driver side. Little rusted out spots under door sill plates. Little more filler than I would like on the back of the chop. Started picking the filler scabs and found that. Not too bad but I don't have very much in the car so not too bummed out about it. Will get pics up tonight after I get everything sorted and moved in shop.

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Welcome, I converted an older build too.

There's a really good 49-51 Merc community on here.

Subscribing.

 

transfered some pics to the computer. first the pics that make the car look decent then the bad ones

 

anyone want a steering wheel? now the stuff that is going to ****,aside from the usual work. started picking at the filler cracks, looked thin till i got a little lower. will have to take it all down and find out why they went nuts with it. trunk pan is rusted out on drivers side but the spare tire well and other side is solid.

 

car was done sometime in the 80s. guy i got it from had been around it since he was little and bought it after it had sat up till 09. he rushed it together to make a car meet then drove back home,parked it till now. stored outside in near beaumont.

 

If you look at the link in my sig, I put together and maintain a list of suppliers. I've not come across anyone who stock repop tail pans (the section below the trunk lid) but I would think that Matt Townsend could make one he usually has 4-5 Mercs at his shop.

You might be in the Top 10 list for saves but Mick will forever have the worst 'before' Merc haha.

Best of luck, looks like a great start.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

Welcome, I'm in south Fort Worth. Check out pro stock John's thread and Stray Kat Kustoms should have a thread or pics of his Merc. Both of these were resurrections like yours. Also, Dr. Dave in Arkansas has been de- billeting a Merc. Your in good hands here.

 

Car looks like it has a lot of potential. BBC is kind of an odd choice for a motor if you're going for a 50's vibe but do what you gotta do. Looking forward to seeing more.

 

Thanks for tips on the rear,any links for the other resurrections? I'm using the big block because the car is already set up for it and I want the power. Other plus I just traded my neighbor the overkill stereo equipment from the car and a little cash for a worked over big block that's almost turn key,just need a block off plate for fuel pump and distributer came with all accessories and starter.

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I know the big block isn't correct for 50s custom. I'm mostly trying to have the look and feel of the early builds with power to embar*** some other cars if needed. If car was more original I might go the flathead route.they don't like me as well as the gm motors I did a 40 Ford coupe resto and it killed me.

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Looks like it will be a fun build! Are you actually selling the steering wheel? Could make pretty awesome wall art!


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I'm also in south FTW Burleson any one have a pic of a stock tail pan without a bumper? I might be able to just make one.sorry for the random questions I'm still going over the whole car in my head. Expected to just get it running and clean up body work,now I have to take all the filler down on the chop and decide how to go about it for now.

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There is a thread going on redoing ugly 1980's customs, my own '52 Ford is in it, here's a link. I think you'll fit right in!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=831237

 

Has anyone used 55 Chevy 210 rear or front bumpers on the rear? They look like they can be modified to flow with the car.

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Looks like you got your work cut out for you. Well worthwhile project though. Nothing cooler than a 49-51 Merc. Umm maybe a 39-40 Merc but I'm partial


Fryguy

 

Answered my own stupid question on the 55 bumper. Looked at to many pictures got mine confused with 51 mercury rear. Installing engine this weekend,been picking up small parts for it all week.decided I'm going to have to build the car twice,now for a driver with simple paint and bumpers,then when I collect everything in steel I will redo chop and go full traditional on bumpers,trim,dash,ect.thinking about sectioning this 51 Cadillac bumper I have for the front,repairing and smoothing rear pan,installing 53 Chevy grille then just tinkering with it till I get the steel parts I need.

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Will the front sheet metal from a 4dr fit my 2dr?

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That looks like a really good starting point to me! Good luck.
Sell the steering wheel on eBay - it looks like it was quite expensive when new? - or hang it on your wall as a monument to bad taste.
Pro Stock John isn't kidding: his car was uglier when he bought it and it's beautiful now. Read his thread end-to-end and you'll be inspired.
I'm still redoing and undoing little things on my Chevy and until I saw his thread I never thought of just, you know, throwing **** away and replacing it with cool.

 

Should all be the same.

 

I'm in Burleson also. I'm old enough to remember when these cars weren't "nostalgia" and would be happy to help you. PM me. Eric

 

I read johns thread a lot while I was waiting 2 weeks for the guy to get back from off shore so I could go pick the car up. I got the motor in this week hopefully I will have it running this Sunday.thanks for the offer Eric I work on the car most week nights and weekends,have a 3 gun match Saturday but I should have the full day Sunday to get work done. I asked about the 4dr parts because I found a complete 49 4dr for 2k,figured I'd get the dash,wheel,front clip,trim,and bumpers from it then see what anybody on here could use from the rest.

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Unfortunately I have to wait until we move to New house with much bigger shop til can get it.we have 7 cars right now and shop only holds 3,its a little cramped.

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Does anyone know what inner headlight bezels fit these Winfield style gl*** clips. I'm thinking its the 52-54 mercury but I haven't found any to try.

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Welcome! from northern Wi. Nice find, Big Mercury group here. John