Get me a Mercury-Because they're Cool

[James2]

I will be working off and on this as a long term project this winter. I was gifted this box with a couple of built cars. Starting with the top chop first, I’ll be using a few techniques I’ve learned over the years. 

Eyeball engineering I make a few cuts to lay the rear window down. 

Checking fitment as I go. 

Using the front roof section from the spare car instead of adding styrene I made it about 4 scale inch longer  

Slanted B pillar, this will be my first attempt at these. I like to use old business cards for mock-ups. 

Hopefully this goes well, questions are welcomed.

Edited October 29, 2024 by James2

[Bullybeef]

Well you appear to have a nice transition for the roof, adding filler was always a shortfall when I have thought of chopping a roof. 

[SpikeSchumacher]

That's looking really cool!

[NOBLNG]

That chop looks really good Rooster.? I have a couple of AMT ‘49 Mercs…so I’ll follow along.

[milo1303s]

looks good following !!!

[bobss396]

Some model mag, maybe Scale Auto had an article on chopping a '49 Merc. IIRC it was quite good. But yours is off to a good start.

[James2]

Made some B pillars out of styrene and got the first of the filler on and rough sanded last night. I’ve been using 2x auto body filler for years. It doesn’t melt plastic like some spot putty and it sets like Bondo. I like to tape off areas that need protected during this stage. More shaping to follow. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

Beautiful work Dude!

[Ferbz]

Your chop is looking good! I've chopped tops in the past angling the existing B pillars fairly successfully but I found it tricky rescribing the window trim lines. Someone suggested to me to try making B pillars from scratch like you've done here which I think worked out pretty well (pic attached). Looking forward to seeing your finished product!

[James2]

1 hour ago, Ferbz said:

Your chop is looking good! I've chopped tops in the past angling the existing B pillars fairly successfully but I found it tricky rescribing the window trim lines. Someone suggested to me to try making B pillars from scratch like you've done here which I think worked out pretty well (pic attached). Looking forward to seeing your finished product!

That looks great. I need to reinforce my cuts before I break them loose working on it. I like micro mesh screen or even some fabric strips covered with CA glue. 
Here a couple of progress pix. WW’s and Caddy caps. 

32 Ford buckets FrenchedSkirted and Stanced

 

 

[Ferbz]

On 10/28/2024 at 3:32 PM, James2 said:

That looks great. I need to reinforce my cuts before I break them loose working on it. I like micro mesh screen or even some fabric strips covered with CA glue. 
Here a couple of progress pix. WW’s and Caddy caps. 

32 Ford buckets FrenchedSkirted and Stanced

 

 

I really like how you've angled the B pillars farther forward than where they normally line up.....looks good! Do you plan to rescribe the side window trim lines? On my most recent merc chop project, I attempted to make my stainless trim from scratch for the first time using small diameter round rod. It was not easy lol but I got it to work out pretty well:

[James2]

That trim looks really nice, I haven’t got to that point yet. I have been rough shaping the body and bumpers. I had these in the spare parts drawer. I also glued up a grill from an AMT Blue Printer Parts Pack #8158. I may even use the 392 engine from the same pack. 

[Ferbz]

3 hours ago, James2 said:

That trim looks really nice, I haven’t got to that point yet. I have been rough shaping the body and bumpers. I had these in the spare parts drawer. I also glued up a grill from an AMT Blue Printer Parts Pack #8158. I may even use the 392 engine from the same pack. 

Great stuff! I am familiar with that Parts Pack 54 Chevy grill. So cool that you're using it! I've never seen anyone use it, prolly due to the fact that it's got to be super tricky to get all the teeth lined up nicely. How did you do it?

[James2]

10 hours ago, Ferbz said:

Great stuff! I am familiar with that Parts Pack 54 Chevy grill. So cool that you're using it! I've never seen anyone use it, prolly due to the fact that it's got to be super tricky to get all the teeth lined up nicely. How did you do it?

I made a template and secured the crossbar and installed the teeth one at a time, one side at a time. 

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

Looking good! I'll be watching for more... -RRR

[Paul Payne]

Quote

 

Looking Good! Will be following!

[dino246gt]

On 11/1/2024 at 6:32 AM, James2 said:

I made a template and secured the crossbar and installed the teeth one at a time, one side at a time. 

That's how it's done!

Great job!

 

[James2]

First full coat of primer, still have some fine tuning to do and the tail lights. Pretty smooth, door line scribed also. 

[Sledsel]

Looking really good, Far better than the Revell Merc! Interesting you would have needed to add to roof length, I never ran into that issue. Here is a pic of mine (shelved for now) I actually used the Revell Merc rear quarter window opening on the chop.

 

[espo]

All of the body lines flow smoothly, especially around the rear quarter windows and the back window. Like the look without the drip rails. 

[James2]

17 hours ago, espo said:

All of the body lines flow smoothly, especially around the rear quarter windows and the back window. Like the look without the drip rails. 

Thanks, I’m down to fine tuning the body mods now. Flow is the goal….

[James2]

Pretty happy with the mock up, chassis and body work is about 90% complete. May need I little fine tuning, I see a few spots that can be improved. Thanks for looking….

[espo]

Looks great, just needs a little shinny paint work. 

[NOBLNG]

That definitely looks nicer than the Revell version!? I may attempt to copy your efforts James.

[ybsluos]

Very nice work as usual James!