Question RE the Revell chopped '49 Merc...

[Ramfins59]

Hi guys. I'm currently working on the RMCoMD convertible body conversion for the Revell Merc. I'm pretty much done with the chassis, engine & interior and am about to move on to some bodywork.

My question is regarding those air tubes that attach to the firewall. Forgive me if this may be a silly question, but, are these air tubes supposed to be for bringing air into the interior...?? If so, since I'm building a convertible, I'm omitting them, thinking that they wouldn't be needed to bring fresh air in a convertible. I'm adding a master cylinder/booster to the firewall on the driver's side, and I'm putting a different battery on the passenger side.

As has been pointed out regarding this kit, that engine compartment is TIGHT...!!! I removed the molded in battery and patched up the hole with sheet styrene. In that spot I added a small windshield washer fluid container that I robbed from another kit. I added a cast metal alternator in place of the kit generator but had to remove it to get the engine to fit in and then reinstall it afterwards.

I hope to be able to post pictures of this and my other recently completed projects in the not-too-distant future.

Thanks for your help with my question.

[62rebel]

they are indeed air intake tubes for the interior and heater. the driver's side opened into a vent under the dash, the passenger side through the heater and into the interior. while you're somewhat correct in assuming a convertible might not necessarily NEED outside air, consider the time an actual convertible in daily use really operates with the top down, and driving in cold or rainy weather when the air has to be heated to demist the windshield, heat the interior, etc...

now, considering that a modern version of the Merc would seldom see poor weather except through the windows of a closed garage door, omitting the tubes is moot, null, and void of meaning.

[Chuck Most]

Curt said it well. I've never seen these tubes removed in a 1:1 Merc, but if you are building something that's a bit more show car than summertime cruiser, leaving them out wouldn't be a huge deal. You could always say it has an aftermarket HVAC system if anybody gives you any flak about them not being there.

[Ramfins59]

Thanks for the responses guys. I did omit the tubes and yes,this will be more of a show car Custom. That engine compartment is so tight that I used the spaces where the tubes were for the new battery (with cables) and master cylinder/booster (with brake lines). It all looks pretty good, but crowded, as I also added a windshield washer motor to the firewall (with a line coming from the washer fluid container), and heater hoses. I installed a chromed Caddy air cleaner (Modelhaus) which looks really cool. The radiator has an aluminum cap and an overflow line. As I said earlier, I hope to be able to post pictures of this project and 2 others that I recently completed soon. Now it's on to the small body mods I want to do, then paint, etc... Thanks again for your replies.