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Post by lo51merc on Sept 4, 2013 20:02:12 GMT -5
I got going on this a few days ago. I've had an idea buzzing around in my head for a while and needed to get going on it. I'll put in a couple of pictures first then get back to where I want to go with it. OK, now my plans. My vision is of a chopped, padded topped, Merc. I've done the Merc chop with vertical "B" posts, slanted "B" posts and opened doors, and a hardtopped version. Other ideas that I'd like to incorporate will be the mirror of the grille shell top with another fitted upside down below it, creating the classic grille opening. I also plan to do the full fade on the sides of the doors to the rear fenders. I'm going to round the hood corners, front and back, and the forward corners of the trunk lid. Whatever headlights and tail lights I decide to use will definitely be frenched. Regarding the taillights, I've been thinking a lot about making another Custom Merc with 51 Merc rear fenders, but I'm not real sure I want to get into that again. Time will definitely tell here. If I go with the 51 rear fenders, I'll have to come up with a rear bumper. So that's the major stuff so far I'll try to stay with it. Here ar todays 2 pictures. Thanks for your (gentle please) comments guys. You know I appreciate them! Gary
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Post by davkin on Sept 4, 2013 21:33:09 GMT -5
The chop is a little extreme for my taste but not awful. I think you need to have some quarter window, it doesn't need to be much, but right now to my eye that's just too much blank space. I think the rear window is a bit small and too high as well. Maybe it's the "engineer" in me coming out but I can't help but put myself in the driver seat and freak out with such huge blind spots! I think the profile of the roof is pretty good, but hard to tell without an updated straight on side shot.
David
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Post by lo51merc on Sept 4, 2013 21:42:10 GMT -5
Dave, back in the day this could have been done this way. Though I have been thinking about lowering that rear window maybe a couple of inches. Having a padded top and no quarter windows and a chop like this won't be as bad as it looks now in its earliest stage. Bear with me. Gary
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Post by stingray on Sept 4, 2013 23:03:33 GMT -5
Hmmn never thought of making a carson style top out of the stock roof like that! Looks great. I can't wait to see more.
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Post by lo51merc on Sept 5, 2013 9:18:31 GMT -5
A couple days after I began this build I sat down in my easy chair that evening and pulled out some of my old car books from the late 50's/early 60's. The next 2 pictures are out of the first magazine I picked up, the May 1959 "Car Speed and Style". Even though this is a convertible, they sure show that "blind spots" weren't of much concern as long as the car looks "cool". The "mail slot" rear window shows that same feeling. Dave, I don't mean in any way to make you feel like I'm angry about your reply, but just to show that many things were done in those days that wouldn't seem very responsible these days. Thanks again for your reply, and I did appreciate your interest and viewpoint. Gary
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Post by krassandbernie on Sept 5, 2013 10:40:25 GMT -5
Great start to the project as usual Gary! I enjoy watching your builds come together; and seeing your techniques. On another note, I really like the rear bumper on the last photo you scanned from the magazine.
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Post by Bernard Kron on Sept 5, 2013 10:54:22 GMT -5
Great work so far. Fearless as usual! I think what might be giving observers concern is the steep slope of the roof which has a tendency to weaken the "Carsonesque" aspect of the top. Mail slot windows and blind spots are par for the course with these sorts of padded tops. I did a brief web search on Carson topped Mercs of this vintage and came up mainly with either convertibles from the period, like your inspiration car, in which case the slope of the top was relatively mild, or modern "traditional" builds which more often than not were "hardtop convertibles", which is to say they had an extended window area behind the door line. Which isn't to say that the lines of this build aren't promising - they most certainly are! The key will most likely involve the shape and position of the back of the side window opening. But, as the creator of my all-time favorite scale Merc (the one in your avatar), I'm sure you'll come up with something fresh that will be a delight to the eye. Can't wait to see more, more, more...
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Post by jondutch46 on Sept 5, 2013 13:50:36 GMT -5
Yeah... great start. Great line around back. If this were mine, I'd be really tempted to reshape the windshield posts and make it into a chopped convertible.
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Post by Kustoms Illustrated on Sept 5, 2013 19:51:19 GMT -5
Very cool, Gary!
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Post by lo51merc on Sept 5, 2013 20:56:40 GMT -5
Hey guys! Take note of Luke's (above) post. I'd like to say something about this guy and his magazines. I just got all he had available and I've got to tell you if you're into Custom's/Kustom's, get in touch with him and get some of his mag's. They're great, well done, colorful and a fine addition to any Custom/Kustom builders library! Gary
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Post by krowkustom on Sept 6, 2013 2:26:59 GMT -5
Hey guys! Take note of Luke's (above) post. I'd like to say something about this guy and his magazines. I just got all he had available and I've got to tell you if you're into Custom's/Kustom's, get in touch with him and get some of his mag's. They're great, well done, colorful and a fine addition to any Custom/Kustom builders library! Gary I have every issue!!!! Great start on the Merc Lee
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Post by mredjr on Sept 6, 2013 6:17:08 GMT -5
Looking good Gary can't wait to see it finished.
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Post by Koolkat on Sept 6, 2013 18:31:35 GMT -5
Hey guys! Take note of Luke's (above) post. I'd like to say something about this guy and his magazines. I just got all he had available and I've got to tell you if you're into Custom's/Kustom's, get in touch with him and get some of his mag's. They're great, well done, colorful and a fine addition to any Custom/Kustom builders library! Gary You are correct, Gary. They don't know what they are missing. No hot rods at all ---- it's all customs! Sometimes even a model or two!
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Post by steveb on Sept 6, 2013 21:20:04 GMT -5
Nice! Thin out the A pillar at the top & you're there!
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Post by Kustoms Illustrated on Sept 7, 2013 12:01:07 GMT -5
Hey guys! Take note of Luke's (above) post. I'd like to say something about this guy and his magazines. I just got all he had available and I've got to tell you if you're into Custom's/Kustom's, get in touch with him and get some of his mag's. They're great, well done, colorful and a fine addition to any Custom/Kustom builders library! Gary Why, thank you, Gary!
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