49' Mercury Speedster.. It's Done 5/4/13

[BKcustoms]

I was looking at some pics of the Imperial Speedster built by Murray Pfaff a few years back (He took a 59 Chrysler Imperial 4 door and cut it down into a 2 door roadster) I started to wonder what other cars that idea could work on. So I picked up a revell 49 Mercury and after cutting most of the quarter panel out between the doors and rear wheel openings and removing the roof I've ended up with a 49' Merc that's about the same size as a first gen corvette. The plan is to make it look like the body it's bare aluminum and I'm thinking about a sheet metal interior with bomber seats. Anyway, heres the pictures..

BTW a big thanks to plowboy for the wheels!

Let me know what you think, Billy

Edited May 4, 2013 by BKcustoms

[Ramfins59]

Now that's a really cool concept... and those wheels look great too.

[nate47]

Cool Merc. The Pfaff car had a ton of work done to it, I personally think it would make a great looking model, but I'm not too crazy about it as a 1:1. Not that I don't respect the insane amount of work!

I'm sure you found some pics but these from HOTROD magazine would probably help alot if you're still looking.

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1107_1959_chrysler_imperial_speedster/viewall.html

[Jantrix]

I think an 1/8 to 1/4 inch section would be perfect on this model now.

[Dr. Cranky]

Very interesting.

[Lunajammer]

Wow, kooky.

[slusher]

looks cool, very nice wheels...

[Space Cowboy]

That looks cool and a great idea. Keep it coming................

[doggie427]

Tremendous execution of a great vision.Beautiful balance.Great work.

To me the proportions on this model Merc are much more pleasing to the eye than the Imperial.

It thankfully doesn't have that 'custom golf cart' look that a lot of shortened cars exhibit.

Is this top from the 'Smoothster' ?

[cobraman]

Cool idea but I must agree with Rob. The body does look a bit thick, no ?

[BKcustoms]

Thanks guys, Wayne, the top is from the smoothster and it has been widened 9mm in front and 7mm in back. I took Rob's advice and cut a 1/8 section out of it above the body line.

[Jantrix]

What a difference! Nice work! What are your thoughts on an engine? Something modern?

[BKcustoms]

At first I was thinking about using a flathead but it looks way too modern now to use an old engine so I'm going to try to find a supercharged Saleen Mustang motor but if I can't get one I'll order a resin Ford NASCAR engine.

[Psychographic]

This is very cool! It reminds me of a Porsche 550.

I'm working on a similar build and also ran into the proportion problem. Your sectioning solution worked out great, the car looks perfect.

[Skip]

This is very cool! It reminds me of a Porsche 550.

I was thinking Porsche also, reminds me of a 356 Coupe or even a Speedster. I really like the proportions of the body after the horizontal section, you got it right. I also liked the well planned approach to the section could have been disasterous without it, (good job there too).

I am not much of a wire wheel fan so they really don't trip my trigger, something else that might work if you were to change would be some sort of reversed wheel in the same diameter. How about some really big Sombrero wheel covers?!?! (Just my thoughts, this isn't build by committee I hope! )

[Kris Morgan]

Hmm, looks kinda European. Cool idea and, very different. We have all seen tons of custom Mercs. None like this though.

[vintagercr]

That looks really cool!

[woody .]

Great concept looking forward to more.

[doggie427]

WOW ...so nice,even better with the section. Beautiful bodywork,you really know your customizing !

Edited November 25, 2012 by doggie427

[James2]

Great sectioning. Looks well proportioned now.

[cobraman]

It does look better now imo. Nice work.

[blunc]

The back end looks a little long for a sportster, I suggest the following chop/section:

[crazyjim]

Very cool concept.

[Dr. Cranky]

That's a lot of work, but it is paying off.

[Tom Kren]

That is so cool great job!!