Gluhead Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 This has a lot of potential. Mike has a good eye in suggesting the rear overhang being too long...though I propose an alternative solution in relocating the rear wheels back a little bit rather than losing some tail length. Doing so would also help alleviate the slightly bloated look the current proportions give the roof, by creating a visual path that comes down the roofline and into the wheels, rather than behind them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielG Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Since everybody is giving advice I will add my two-bits worth! I think that smaller wheels would change the overall look for the better. OK, I admit that I don't like the large new type wheels on 'classic' cars but those wheels are so large that it has an almost cartoony look to it. I like the lowered look, that made a big difference and maybe a flatter roof line would fit in with the lower line? (Easy for all of us, we are not doing the work!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggon Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 This has a lot of potential. Mike has a good eye in suggesting the rear overhang being too long...though I propose an alternative solution in relocating the rear wheels back a little bit rather than losing some tail length. Doing so would also help alleviate the slightly bloated look the current proportions give the roof, by creating a visual path that comes down the roofline and into the wheels, rather than behind them. I agree, perhaps 3"16? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluhead Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 I'm no fan of modern wheels either, Daniel...though I think they might be fine on this one, if I can foresee the final product correctly. (I eez a wheezird! ) I agree, perhaps 3"16? Might be enough, at that. There's a lot of room to wiggle around in back there. I'd just start moving a wheel around and see what pulled the lines into good mojo. It's there somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKcustoms Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 Thanks a bunch for all the suggestions guys, I did a quick photoshop to see how it would look with the wheel openings moved and I think I'll go ahead and move them back. It'll be a lot of work to get the chassis to line up but it really helps with the huge overhang behind the rear wheels. I'm cutting the wheel openings now. Hopefully this works out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 (edited) Oh YES. Excellent idea. Kinda looks like a Merc-shaped Ferrari 166 Barchetta. WAY better. Really cool. Fascinating how designs evolve from pretty good to super. Just gotta keep tweeking 'til you get it. I think you've got it. Edited November 25, 2012 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKcustoms Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Thanks Bill! this is the first build where I've just made it up as I went and I'm having a ton of fun with it. I managed to get the rear wheel openings roughed in, I cut both of them out with 1/4 inch of plastic behind them and then just swapped the left for the right and right for left to end up with both sides moved back 1/4 inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Teresi Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Billy.......totally cool man........love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trans Am Erik Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Wow! I am really liking this one, great concept. I'll be looking forward to seeing this one progress. I'm going to agree with Daniel G on seeing what a smaller wheel would look like, not too small though. Maybe the big inch smoothies out of that Snap Fast Slammer car. I'm woorking on my Merc tonight too (49 Merc Extreme Custom) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKcustoms Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Thanks for the compliment John, I really appreciate it! Erik, I've been following your merc from the start and it is part of what gave me the push to try out so many new things on this. And I have a plan in mind to make the wheels fit the car a little better, I just need to do some photoshops to see if it'll look right.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 This is a great idea for a Merc and it sure looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blunc Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Nice trick on the opening swap. Nice call on moving the wheels back instead of chopping off the trunk, I hadn't considered that option. Kudos to Billy for allowing us to kibitz on his great idea, I may borrow some of these techniques for my own future builds. Anyone that hasn't checked out Mark Gustafsen's Kustom Car Clinic (may have spelled that wrong), go have a look, he has good tips on tweeking custom design elements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Nice trick on the opening swap. Nice call on moving the wheels back instead of chopping off the trunk, I hadn't considered that option. Kudos to Billy for allowing us to kibitz on his great idea, I may borrow some of these techniques for my own future builds. Agreed on all points. I'm really enjoying this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customsrus Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 very nice craftsmanship. I like the rear wheels moved back, it looks more proportioned now. keep up the cool work, any thoughts about color??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKcustoms Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Thanks guys! John, originally I was going to do a bare aluminum finish kinda like an old airplane but after looking at it more I think it needs to have an actual paint color. I want something that isn't too common but I'm not sure what. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blunc Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I had a 68 Firebird that was light gray and metallic gunmetal with light blue accents... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZTony8 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Since it's still a relatively large but roundish car I'd suggest a medium to dark metallic color-something like the old Testor Kiln Red or a dark metallic green.If you want to go the opposite way try a pale yellow-something like Model Master Phoenician Yellow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluhead Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 That does look loads better. Can I throw one more monkey in the mix? Now that the proportions are really coming together, one thing stands out yet - it's a bit thick though the cowl region. A pie-section out of the lower body would really bring this home, I think! Maybe 3/16 or so at the back of the front wheelwell, to 0 at the front of the rear. Color? Something dark and sparkly! Tamiya Mica Blue, perhaps? Or maybe Testors Nassau Blue over a white base...Cruz did something modern in that color recently that really looked killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny1973 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 You have my attention too.nice body mods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Minarick Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Very nice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKcustoms Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 (edited) Hmm, I like the idea of blue. Maybe something like GM Jetstream Blue with a modern dark gray interior. Edited November 28, 2012 by BKcustoms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot949 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I like where you are going with this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torinobradley Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Looking pretty cool so far. A suggestion for a name would be Merc Speedster Sport. On other mod to consider would be either angling the headlight buckets or going the slanted route with a set of mercedes (sticking with the Merc theme) headlights. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKcustoms Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 (edited) Good idea I had not even thought about a name yet. I'm not sure what to do with the headlights and grill yet, I'm thinking about 53 corvette ones and a 60 corvette grill or maybe Porsche style headlights angled back at the top with a stock grill. Edited November 28, 2012 by BKcustoms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooltas Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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