49 Merc restoration

[dino246gt]

I found this old glue bomb '49 Merc in my stash, so I decided to re-do it.

I've been having fun saving old junkers lately so why not this one!

 

 

 

[thatz4u]

go for it...

[dino246gt]

I got it apart and mostly stripped.

There was so much glue that I had to cut some pieces up.

The "glass" was the worst!

I cut each piece, windshield/vents, rear, each side, THEN the runners from the headliner.

Those runners had to be ground off, they were not coming out no matter what I tried, they were one with the headliner!  LOL

[espo]

This was and still is a really nice kit. 

[dino246gt]

I've already cleaned up the underside and primed and painted everything flat black.

I had to cut the front pan from the frame.

Gas tank was separate and I did that in flat aluminum.

Frame is done in semi-gloss black.

[ksnow]

Nice job on the disassembly. Looking forward to seeing the build, or re-build.

[FoMoCo66]

Cool project! You gonna chop it, or leave the body stock?

[dino246gt]

I'll try to use as much of the old kit as possible, I enjoy saving these things.

NO chop or major changes to the stock kit, but I'll probably change the wheels and tires.

I found this paint in my stock, so I'll use it, it's not going to be a contest build, just a fun project.

 

 

[SpeedShift]

54 minutes ago, dino246gt said:

I'll try to use as much of the old kit as possible, I enjoy saving these things.

NO chop or major changes to the stock kit, but I'll probably change the wheels and tires.

I found this paint in my stock, so I'll use it, it's not going to be a contest build, just a fun project.

 

 

"I'll try to use as much of the old kit as possible, I enjoy saving these things."

Me too, hate to toss a built up in the trash.

I'll check out your progress...I rescued a built up Futurista off Ebay.

Like your 49,  the window glass was the worst....a lost cause, it was glue bombed -  at least the rear bubble top was, the front glass was in good shape.

Wet sanding and polishing didn't help much.

Needs an engine, think I found a reasonable substitute.

 

 

 

Edited June 7, 2024 by SpeedShift

[slusher]

Looking forward too more of your build..

[oldrevellfan]

Nice job so far !

[dino246gt]

Here's the engine I pulled out of it.

How about the seam down the middle of the bottom end! 

Separate oil pan would've been nice, although I realize that this kit is from the early 60s, and for that, it is a very nice kit.

 

 

[TNT]

Nice looking. Do not see many un cut or un chop mercs. Will be watching this.

[dino246gt]

I puttied up the bottom after sanding flush.

I drilled for plug wires and tried to remove the molded on wires, it's rough but I'll hide it with new wires.

I mixed up some paint and brush painted it.

 

[dino246gt]

I kept it simple but added 2 carbs, it'll look okay down in the big Merc bay.

Going to try and make headers next!

 

[FoMoCo66]

Wow! That is some amazing detail on that flaty. ?

[bobss396]

I approve. I'm a '49 Merc junkie at heart.

[dino246gt]

I used the headers from the Revell sedan kit, so now I can glue the flattie to the frame and work backwards from there.

I'll make the original exhaust system work up to a point, then use parts box pipe pieces to connect to these headers.

Then the rear end and driveshaft. I have to work on those pieces but first the exhaust.

Now here's my little flathead ready for install:

[espo]

Like the detailing on the Flathead. 

[bobss396]

The flattie looks good. The last AMT kit I did, I used the Chrysler engine.

[ksnow]

That engine looks great. Very nice detailing.

[dino246gt]

I pried the front seat out but the seams didn't line up and the glue was heave, so I just sanded it flush.

I dragged the backside of the X-acto blade up and down the middle, then cut with a thin saw, then used folded sandpaper to round the seat upper halves.

I filed the "ropes" off the backs, drilled holes and inserted copper to replace them.

The brass is thin enough to shape after it's installed.

[dino246gt]

The interior detail is so faint, but thick enough that I can't drill right over them without first using the X-acto tip.

I use that to find the center so that I can drill and I use hand held drills because there's no room for a pin vise inside these old tubs.

With holes all the way through I can make whatever I'm going to use for replacement cranks and pulls and put wire on the back to push through and glue from the outside.

[dino246gt]

To enhance the molded on lines, I add thin styrene right over them, here I used .020 and super glue.

Now I can foil those lines for paint separation.

Once that's done, I can add cranks and pulls and make some simple arm rests.

 

[dino246gt]

I cut the "glass" into separate pieces, and polished them, there was paint and glue on them.