'49 Merc... 1st time modifying a kit

[CountryJoe]

Have been to hell and back with this kit so far... all I've really learned so far was how not to do all the things I've done up to this point. So far I've lower and extended the body - tried something different on the back quarter panels - opened the doors and trunk - modified the bee-geezus outta the hood and split the front seats and made them movable. It's my 1st time trying this... let me know what you think.

[Sixties Sam]

Looking good! I like what you've done with the fender skirts. Should look great when finished!

Sam

[CountryJoe]

Thanks Sam... I'm trying my best.

[Paul Payne]

Joe, all that work is really paying off! This is a great project. Will the front seats be poseable? The hood scoop looks very interesting- I suspect this will not be a Barris type build! Looking forward to more! Check out my egg crate grille thread- then you'll know what nuts really is.....

[Spex84]

Well this is different! I like it so far :)  The lengthening has helped the proportions quite a bit!

[David G.]

Wow! That's a tremendous amount of work and quite well done so far.

I can't wait to see more.

David G.

[Mattilacken]

Great work! Opening and hinges looks good! Proportions ar beautiful.

[1972coronet]

I like what you've done with the classic '49 Merc so far . The only thing that I'd suggest at this point  : the rounded outsides of the backlight don't flow with the rest of the rear of the car --- they need to be squared-up some . 

Keep up the incredible work !

[CountryJoe]

Paul... I had already looked at what you were working on - that is truly amazing, will be keeping an eye on that for sure. The seats will be pose-able as soon as I do a little more work on the seat posts. nothing as extreme as a Barris build... don't thing I have that in me just yet

Edited November 7, 2020 by CountryJoe

[CountryJoe]

Spex84, the lengthening started because as a kid i always remembered the hoods of those cars looking like they went on forever... so i just work with that.

[CountryJoe]

David, thanks... always some fine tuning to be done - i spend alotta time just staring at it to see whatever i missed the first time around.

[CountryJoe]

Mattilacken, thanks so much... for my 1st attempt its a lot more work than i originally thought.

[CountryJoe]

1972coronet, I agree... I've been looking at that for some time now - just waiting on the inspiration.

[doorsovdoon]

Flipping heck! fair play, you done some really nice building here. I look forward to seeing it done. From what I can see so far I'm certain you'll get the rest done quite easily and will look crazy good when finished! Nice one.

[TarheelRick]

That is some interesting body work. You seem to have a good eye for proportions and your finished bodywork is exceptional.  I've seen too many customs where the extensions look flat, but this one is very well done.  Wondering about the chassis, how are you going to lengthen it?

[thatz4u]

Reminds me of the Kustoms from the 50's & 60's, great work so far..

[CountryJoe]

doorsovdoon, I'm hoping so... it took a long time to get this far.

[CountryJoe]

TarheelRick, it was a lot easier than i thought... took the shortcut and just extended to chassis in the same places i extended the body. Sees to have worked out well enough. 

[CountryJoe]

thats4u, thanks my friend... hoping to get it done soon.

[espo]

Very extensive body work and lengthening of the front fenders and hood. The rear quarter panel additions resemble the design seen on the '52 thru '54 Fords. The redesign of the front seat looks great. I look forward to seeing what you have in mind for all of these body modifications. 

[mrm]

Very nice. Specially if you are really doing this for the very first time. The only thing, If I may, is that I would make the rear skirts "openings" on their bottom lower. The whole idea of the rear skirts is to hide the rear tires and especially with how much longer you have made the body, I believe it will flow better if you don't brake the lines with those square-ish openings on the bottom. 

[CountryJoe]

espo, thanks my friend... i'll post the work as it goes.

[CountryJoe]

mrm, I see what you're talking about on the skirts... but I still have alotta work to do on the chosen tires as well and didn't want to completely hide them inside the body. The openings still need to be fine tuned as far as the shape goes. And yes - this is my 1st attempt at modifying a car in any way. If only you knew how many times I've had to start over from the near beginning since I started this little project.

[bobthehobbyguy]

This is a very ambitious project. With so many changes you sometimes find that the first attempt doesn't cut it. Its coming together nicely.  Keep up the good work.

[CountryJoe]

bobthehobbyguy, I have to admit I might've overthought this one just a lil' bit... but now that it;s started i can't wait until the next project - if I ever get this one done.