Another of my oldies....49 Merc 'lead-sled' (built in 1980)

[traditional]

Time flies!! The only reason that I remember the year that this one was done, is that I have the 1st place plaque it won in the model contest at the Ottawa Autorama early in 1981.

This model was made from an AMT stock '49 Merc kit because, of course, at that time there were no pre-chopped kits or resin bodies.....all modifications had to be planned and then done by hand.

Most of the modifications were pretty obvious....chopped (with slanted post), lowered, shaved, frenched headlights, custom tail-lights, skirts, sunken antennae, sculpted hood nose and deck-lid, tri-carb Cadillac engine (well detailed for the time), lakes pipes (aluminum tubing) and Desoto grill bar. These mods were all in keeping with the typical led-sleds of the '50s and the paint was candy red lacquer with hand done red scallops and pinstriping. The foil I used at that time was aluminum/mylar muffler tape.

I really recommend models being kept in display cases and this one is an example of how they can stay in excellent condition for long periods of time when well.protected

[62rebel]

sweeeeet... got a toothache now!

[Mike Kucaba]

Nice clean build. Stands out today as well as any.

[brett]

Beautiful build Cliff. You'ld never know it was a day over a day old if you hadnt said.

[Kustom Rodder]

What a cool custom another outstanding build from the past.

[DANB]

lol this things older than i am! Wicked job mate.

[tooltas]

thats a killer merc

[W-409]

This is great, AMT Mercury can be modified to very cool Custom, and you've done that perfectly. Nice job on the body modifications, and engine detailing is great too. Can't believe, how old build it really is, it looks so good.

[Dyno Davo]

Very Kool, nice combo of style and paint