'49 Mercury The Plowboy Way

[Plowboy]

With my current projects nearing completion, I thought it was time to start hacking on something. I've never built a '49 Mercury before. Mostly because I didn't want to follow the herd. So, I'm going to meander off on my own and do what I want. This won't the typical '49 Mercury. It will be modified substantially. But, it won't be like the rest! The modifications will be subtle and fairly simple. I'm going to attempt to lower the profile by a scale five inches without it being obvious. After studying the body for a bit, I saw that I could take out a scale inch with simple cuts. I've already made the cut in this photo. It's just a simple cut right along the bottom of the chrome strip. The other cut is between the firewall and inner fenderwells. I wanted the firewall to also lower so there wouldn't be an issue with the hood.

After the cuts.

In this photo, you can see the chrome strip marked. This will be removed and the roof section will be glued back on.

Top glued back on. This simple modification lowers the top, hood and trunk a scale inch.

No big surprise that the hood no longer lines up with the fenders and doors. But, that's nothing that some putty and sanding won't take of.

The big surprise is that the trunk actually fits better! 

Edited December 4, 2020 by Plowboy

[Plowboy]

Time to section the body a little and take out some fat! Using the chrome trim as a guide, I used a razor saw that has a little thicker blade to get a two scale inch section. I made vertical cuts approximately at the center of the wheel openings. 

I took the section out and glued the bottom section back to the body. I used a piece of the cut out trim to use as a guide to section the area behind the rear wheel opening. But, I used a thinner bladed saw to reduce it just a touch. I marked the openings to cut out.

Openings cut out and roughed in.

Besides the missing trim, the modifications aren't very obvious. But, it's missing a scale three inches in height. Next modification will be chopping the roof two scale inches and trying not to lose any height on the side windows. I have a plan in mind. It may or may not work. 

[stitchdup]

Nice project, I like how subtle it looks even with the fairly big mods

[Modlbldr]

Yep, that definitely took out some of the fat. Looks good but not obvious, unless you know what you are looking at. Can't wait to see the work on the roof.

Later-

[Kit Karson]

Roger,

I'm very intrigued with the direction you're taking with this build! I've had a little experience with this subject and am a bit anxious to see where you go with your take on the '50 Merc!! -KK 

[slusher]

I always enjoy your W.I.P. builds Roger since I am a box stock builder.

[Plowboy]

Thanx for the feedback guys! I now have the roof chopped. I started by cutting the door and window frames loose from the body. I simply cut along the drip rails, center of the B pillars, center of the quarter windows and close to the base of the A pillars. 

Then I cut out 2mms from the C pillars.

Cut a notch at the base of the A pillars.

A relief cut on the front of the base of the A pillars. 

 That allows me to push the roof back so that it meets the C pillars once again. I did have to bend the C pillars on the roof out slightly to get them to meet the way they should.

I then placed the frames back to the body, marked the roof along them, cut the material from the roof and glued them back in.

I like it! While I usually don't like a laid back windshield, I like it on this body. The combination of the laid back windshield and the stock height openings on the doors puts the tops of both on the same plane. The reduction in height of the rear window makes it about the same as the windshield. The roof has the same contour. But, it now isn't as thick looking. I only lost the thickness of the razor saw in height on the door and quarter glass. So, it worked! I reduced the overall height of the body by five scale inches and it's barely noticeable.  

Edited December 6, 2020 by Plowboy

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

WOW!! Nice subtle touch with the scale sawzall. It's good to see another '49 going under the knife. I'm going the opposite way with mine....if I can get some time to actually get going on it. I'm looking forward to see how this progresses. I do like the laid back windshield.... -RRR

[hedotwo]

Great start Roger!  Following....

[Dennis Lacy]

Well, I’ve never seen a ‘49 Merc done this way and it’s a refreshingly different approach but not only that, the results are excellent! It looks like a Merc on a heavy diet with almost sporty lines now. I think the way you did the chop is genius. Typically the rear window area gets cut out and laid down flatter which can make the roof look too long and awkward. I can’t wait to see where this goes.

[Steve H]

Hi Roger, a very creative and different approach to a chop, and extremely well executed. I will be following along. The bonus, that car will look cool no matter what colour you put on it, cause it is that cool!
 

Cheers, Steve 

[Koellefornia Kid]

That's a nice way to chop this body! Looks really good!

[Plowboy]

Thanx guys! Since I skipped the photos on the window frame steps, I thought I would take them while I did the other side. In this first photo, I placed the frame back to the body, temp glued it into place and traced the shape onto the roof.

 

Notice that I didn't trim to the line on the A pillar. Since the angle of the A pillars has changed, the frame has to conform to it instead of the roof fitting to the frame.

And back together.

[Plowboy]

Here's the before and after.

With the easy stuff done, it's time to get to the tricky part. From the start, my idea has been to do a modern version of a '49 Mercury. But, I sure wasn't looking forward to modernizing the stock chassis to current standards. It was then that I noticed the Foose Caddy and BINGO! There's everything I need! So, yeah, I'm going to attempt to drape this body over the Foose Caddy's interior and chassis. Right away, I knew there would be a wheelbase issue and I figured I would have to narrow the floor pan. But, to my surprise, I'm actually going to have to widen the floorpan. By a lot! I've just been throwing parts around right now. But, the plan in my head is coming together. 

Right now, my vision for it is paint the interior with Tamiya Dull Red. The body will be either Tamiya Pearl White or Tamiya Mica Silver. All of the bright work will get Tamiya Satin Black. Wheels will be black. Haven't picked those yet. I may give the Foose wheels a shot. This plan is subject to change at any time.

 

 

[Kit Karson]

A couple of us have been wondering what your direction was going to take... kinda got this vibe:

Something you might find on Mulholland Drive!

Rather than just another Harry Bentley Bradley kuston Merc! -KK

[Plowboy]

Yeah Kit, this model will be similar. I actually have plans to do a '49 Ford in that style.

This was actually my inspiration. 

I figured if Icon can stick an electric motor in a '49 Mercury and make it cool, surely I do something similar. I just want something a little more refined as well as sinister looking. I do love how that thing looks though.

[misterNNL]

Great subtle custom work,well planned and executed. I have seen this technique used before decades ago used by a lifelong friend and one of the founding members of the NNL. Bob lives in Texas now and still has the nickname "subtle chop".

[thatz4u]

Nice so far, Roger, my Winter project is going to be a 1950 Mercury wagon.... 

[Plowboy]

5 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said:

Well, I’ve never seen a ‘49 Merc done this way and it’s a refreshingly different approach but not only that, the results are excellent! It looks like a Merc on a heavy diet with almost sporty lines now. I think the way you did the chop is genius. Typically the rear window area gets cut out and laid down flatter which can make the roof look too long and awkward. I can’t wait to see where this goes.

Thanx Dennis! I'm not a big fan of the laid down rear window myself. I've viewed a lot of full scales that look like a 1/25 scale model with a 1/32 scale roof. To me, those chops wrecks the proportions. Especially the quarter windows. When I built my '39, I learned that a little here and there is better IMO than a lot in one area.  

[Steve H]

Pearl white!!!! That would look wicked with dark or black wheels! Of course it’s your build and will look cool no matter the colour. Maybe consider Tamiya smoke on the wheels? Just a thought, I just painted a set with several coats of smoke for my Gremlin build. Love where this one is going...

[Spex84]

Very cool mods so far!! Can't wait to see where this one goes...

[tbill]

You make it look so darn easy, lol.

terrific mods that are so subtle it IS hard to see the difference without the side by side comparison, great work so far.

[Beamerman]

Very nice projekt...i like the idea with the modern chassis. i think i have to buy a couple of these Foose kits for future projekts...

[Plowboy]

12 hours ago, Steve H said:

Pearl white!!!! That would look wicked with dark or black wheels! 

I am leaning more towards the Pearl White. I've used it before. But, I've never painted an entire body with it. I'm also thinking of using Satin Clear over it. I'm going to buy a can and try it. I'm not sure how it will effect the pearl.

[Classicgas]

I'm generally not a fan of chopped Mercurys, but I like yours. The only thing I would do is keep the trim like your inspiration, but nonetheless I really like it so far.