Phildaupho

Great looking model. I have always liked these kits. I built a Paul Tracy Kool version and convinced my buddies to build a grid of other liveries. In regard the Greg Moore, it is a real tragedy that Greg was not in the sister Penske in 2000. If Greg had survived I am convinced he would have won championships, Indy and maybe even Formula One.

Thanks Oliver. An aspect of the Sam Barris Merc I really like is how flush the fender skirts fit the body. The kit skirts are not straight across the bottom and are also too thick but I like how there is an inner lip t0 facilitate fitting them to the wheelwell. I did consider modifying the AMT ’49 Merc skirts but these are designed to fit the more rounded sides of the AMT Merc. So my option was to make new skirts of thin sheet styrene with thicker styrene on the backside cut to the contour of the wheelwells. AMT - left Revell - centre Mine -right This photo shows how unrealistically slab-sided the Revell Merc is but it is what it is and I am sticking with it.

Thanks guys. If you have access to past issue of The Rodder's Journal there are great article on the Sam Barris Merc in issues 29 and 38 both before and after restoration.

That is going to be one very wicked Javelin !!

I have always been attracted ’49 – ’51 Mercury Customs. Perhaps the first really cool car I saw cruising the streets of the community I grew up in was a purple 4-door ’51 Mercury that reportedly had a Thunderbird engine was the fastest car in the valley in 1962. Building a chopped AMT ’49 Merc brought me back into the hobby in the mid 1990’s. I painted it purple in remembrance of that ’51 Merc and upholstered it with corduroy like I did back in the ‘60’s. Last year I started off with an AMT ’49 Merc I got in a Secret Santa draw. I built it as the mild custom James Dean drove in the Rebel Without A Cause movie. Recently an acquaintance completed a beautiful ’49 Merc Custom which was a ten year plus project. Once I complete the Sam Barris Merc I will be building a Jimmy Flintstone Hirohata Merc.

Thanks Guys and Andy I do agree with the deficiencies you point out but I think it will look representative when completed and it primarily for my display case.

Thanks Larry. It was a fun project that was at times a challenge but I am very satisfied with the results.

Thanks guys - It is great to have so much reference material. I am going to start working on the taillights and fender skirts.

For my first model car project of 2021 I am building a close but not exact replica of the Sam Barris 1949 Mercury as part of a series of models of cars pictured in six posters from The Rodder’s Journal that hang above my model building workbench. So far, I have built two of the six. History – Sam Barris was probably the first to chop a ’49 Mercury. Some say his personal Merc was the first but it is likely he completed a customer car before finishing his own. The car has been restored by Brizio Street Rods and is in the collection John Mumford. There is a great gallery of photos on the Brizio website of the car being restored. Rods in Progress This 1949 Mercury is owned by John Mumford (roybriziostreetrods.com) Starting point – The Revell ’49 Mercury was a great starting point for this build. The top is already chopped although maybe slightly more than the original but this eliminates the most difficult operation to build a custom Merc. The body is shaved, the hood nosed, the trunk decked and the suspension lowered. The kit also comes with many of the required parts like wide white walled tires, Cadillac hubcaps and spotlights. A custom interior is provided in the kit which is probably reminiscent of the original although no photos exist of the first re-upholstery job. Modifications done so far - Headlight mounting extensions cut back and headlight rims from AMT ’49 Merc frenched to body - Parking light holes filled - Taillight holes filled - Tops of doors were rounded [hood on original did not have rounded corners although model does. It is interesting to note that over the years the hood on the original did get rounded corners as well as louvers – the car has been restored back to its first configuration] - A more prominent peak seam has been added to hood - The hump in the doors was eliminated giving the sides a full fade-away affect which carries through all the way to the taillight area also eliminating the downturn at the extreme back end of the rear fenders. Future modifications - new holes will be cut in for scratch-built taillights - Chrome trim will be added below side windows - Lower side chrome trim will be added - Will add centre trim to windshield and dividers on back window - Fender skirts will scratch-built but based on the shape of AMT ’49 Merc skirts - Stock flathead engine and single exhaust from AMT ’49 Merc - Bumpers and custom grill from AMT ’49 Merc - Plan to paint it with Alclad Candy Emerald Green over Alclad Silver Base

Just came across your new project. I have to add my name to the list of those favouring keeping the "Olds Curve" on the rear fenders as it is very distinctive and stylish.

Thanks Claude I look forward to seeing your 2021 creations.

Thanks Steve Looking forward to seeing you at a model car show hopefully as soon as possible.

Nice T-Bucket from great kit

Beautiful model beautifully built and beautifully presented. I remember seeing old newsreel footage of Rosemeyer driving this awesome car. I do have a 1/43 diecast of this car.

Thank you Misha for your kind words. Not only do I get a lot pleasure building model cars and writing about them but I really enjoy and appreciate the friends I have made as a result of this hobby - locally, at model shows far and wide and on this forum.

Thanks guys - New Years Day I started collecting what I need for my first project of 2021 and I am hoping I can keep to a plan that will take well into the year ahead.

Incredibly varied and interesting collection of models. My fav is the Cobra with the narrow white walls

Looking forward to the .25 very soon as the other 2.75 turned out very nice indeed.

These are beauties

Beautiful collection of iconic racing cars

Very interesting, entertaining, varied and well built collection of models.

I have always been attracted to these Traction-Avant Citroens in all scales

Very impressive 2020. You may have a new career in box art models !!

Thanks Bruce Thanks Kurt - It just shows what is possible when you have lots of time to kill. In many ways I am hoping 2021 will not be as productive !! Thanks Carl - I based the Thunderbolt on the Holman & Moody 427 Fairlane road race car Thanks Joe Thanks Bernard - I always appreciate and enjoy your comments Thanks Larry

Very nicely presented 2020 production. Looking forward to your 2021 projects.