‘49 Mercury

[FLHCAHZ]

Hello all,  I finally am getting back to the bench with a ‘49 Mercury Police Car I picked up cheap at Ollie’s. Super basic, but I’ve been wanting to try my hand at some mods I’ve been seeing on the site and thought this was a good candidate.  I am going to try to turn this into a curbside street machine.  First thing is to fill the holes in the roof where the light bar goes.  I’ll probably try to stretch some sprue to the correct size. I even bought real glue!  No more orange tube on the bench. Wish me luck

 

I need to source some drag slicks and wheels so I can get a plan on how to modify the chassis. I may loose the skirts

[Zippi]

That is going to be one kewl looking 49 Merc Chaz.  Got a color in mind for this ole lead sled?

[FLHCAHZ]

21 minutes ago, Zippi said:

That is going to be one kewl looking 49 Merc Chaz.  Got a color in mind for this ole lead sled?

Thanks!  I am leaning toward dark metallic gray with red interior.  There is a lot of body work to do on this one! 

[David G.]

You have my interest.

David G.

[FLHCAHZ]

Thanks for following along David!  I have enjoyed watching your builds

Edited August 6, 2021 by FLHCAHZ

[FLHCAHZ]

Last night a tried stretching some sprue to fill the holes for the light bar in the roof

I think it came out ok.  Im going to have lots of sanding on this one for sure.  The drip rails were as wavy as can be, I shaved them off as I am planning on getting the body as smooth as I can.  I also used stretched sprue for the antenna hole in the quarter panel and the spotlight holes in the top of the fenders.  

[FLHCAHZ]

Bit of an update.  I sanded the sprue sticking through the holes with an Emory board used for fingernails then wet sanded with  400

I think it came out pretty good. Definitely can’t feel them. The ones on the fenders turned out about the same.   I also used the emory board to finish removing the drip rails and rear window trim

I did get some gray primer shot on it and will see how it looks tomorrow 

Edited August 9, 2021 by FLHCAHZ

[FLHCAHZ]

As the body work continues, I took a break from sanding and worked on the stance

 

 

Not or really sold on the wheels,  any thoughts on the stance?

 

the body is going to be a metallic black\ charcoal color and I’m going with a bright red and black interior 

 

I usually finish the body first, bit this kit it the first one that I’m doing any kind of body mods to,  it’s really a lot of work. The humidity is very high here.  Taking for ever for even the primer to dry (although I probably put it on too thick)

 

[slusher]

Your color choice for the body should work great with the interior colors.  Humidity is high here and most of the country..

[David G.]

I'm not sure on the wheels, it would depend on what other options are available.

The stance is great, 49 Mercs are one of the few cars that actually look better lowered... in my opinion.  

The red interior should make for a nice, striking contrast to the body color you intend.

All in all, great progress on this Chaz!

David G.

[FLHCAHZ]

7 hours ago, slusher said:

Your color choice for the body should work great with the interior colors.  Humidity is high here and most of the country..

Thanks Carl!

[FLHCAHZ]

26 minutes ago, David G. said:

I'm not sure on the wheels, it would depend on what other options are available.

The stance is great, 49 Mercs are one of the few cars that actually look better lowered... in my opinion.  

The red interior should make for a nice, striking contrast to the body color you intend.

All in all, great progress on this Chaz!

David G.

Thank you David, thanks for following along

[Paul Payne]

Chaz, I like a wider tire side wall rather than the rubber band look, but that's just me. I think a low but level stance would look best. Looking forward to your next update.

[FLHCAHZ]

4 hours ago, Paul Payne said:

Chaz, I like a wider tire side wall rather than the rubber band look, but that's just me. I think a low but level stance would look best. Looking forward to your next update.

Thanks for your input Paul.  I totally agree about the tires, I may throw some crager or centerlines on there with taller tire to see how it works out

[FLHCAHZ]

Not muchI time on the bench tonight, but I did change wheels from a ‘57 Chevy donor 

I like these ones much better. I may still lower the back end some.

Edited August 11, 2021 by FLHCAHZ

[cobraman]

Those wheels are way better IMO .

[FLHCAHZ]

22 minutes ago, cobraman said:

Those wheels are way better IMO .

Thanks !  I agree. I have long ago gotten rid of my stash of parts when I got out of model car building,  seems I’m starting al over again. I stole these wheels and tires from a model someone gave me

[Bucky]

I always liked the '49 Mercury better than the '49 Ford. It has more character, in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing more on this one. I built a full blown custom Mercury about three years ago. I like the color choices you have in mind for this one.

[FLHCAHZ]

7 hours ago, Bucky said:

I always liked the '49 Mercury better than the '49 Ford. It has more character, in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing more on this one. I built a full blown custom Mercury about three years ago. I like the color choices you have in mind for this one.

Thanks Bucky!  Hoping to ave some color on it this weekend,  Post up some pics of your Mercury

[Paul Payne]

Just me again, but the rear could be lowered a bit....

[FLHCAHZ]

22 minutes ago, Paul Payne said:

Just me again, but the rear could be lowered a bit....

The more I look at it, the more I agree with you

[FLHCAHZ]

Well. I finally got the body ready for paint and my old HarborFreight airbrush died.  I can’t complain it served me well for the money.  Any suggestions on a replacement airbrush?

[FLHCAHZ]

Ok!  Grabbed a new airbrush and put some color on this rolling bathtub!

 

O

 

I was hoping for a darker color as the paint was called metallic black pearl, I think think this will do just fine with the re and black interior. Like all my other models, I used craft paint and the clear is future floor polish. 

[slusher]

Black metallic paint looks nice ..

[FLHCAHZ]

36 minutes ago, slusher said:

Black metallic paint looks nice ..

Thanks Carl