John S. Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Martin, the Merc will be done before you know it, and as much as it is fun for you building, and us seeing the car coming together, the real blast will be driving it. This build has been inspiring for me, and getting my Studebaker back on the road. Thanks, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 6, 2018 Author Share Posted December 6, 2018 Thanks for the comments John. That's great that you will be working to get your Studebaker back on the road again. Then you can inspire others too by driving it around and enjoying it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 I put the final prime coat on the wiper cowling yesterday and was able to do a final sand with 1500 today. This afternoon I was even able to paint and clear it. Looks just a nice as the fender. My parts came in the mail too. I'm going to let it sit for a few days and cure up since the weather is cooler and drying times will be reduced some. I'm getting excited to start putting shinny parts back on. I will have more pictures shortly. This coming Friday I will get with the paint store and see what they have for polishing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chistech Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 On 12/6/2018 at 1:13 PM, Laughing Coyote said: It does feel nice. Just seems like it can't go fast enough, but taking the time to get it right pays off in the long run. I can't wait to see some paint on your Olds and how the paint booth worked out. My paint and body guy was here today and brought a gallon of Matrix high end primer. He did some 400 sanding of all the etch and has two small areas needing a little more work which he’ll do tomorrow then his plan is to prime it all up tomorrow. Originally he said by Christmas so he’s about two weeks ahead of his own schedule! Now that makes me happy. Not going to take up any more of your thread. Great job and great color choice on your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 It was a good day today. I was able to put the cowling on this afternoon. I ran a heater in the paint shop for the day to help it along on curing. You can see how tight it is to mount the cowling if the fender was mounted first. Now if I can get some time tomorrow I will try to install the fender. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 Looking good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 Martin, the Mercury is coming along nicely. The color on the fender, cowl , and firewall, match perfectly.. I came across an earlier post of the 1961 AMT Mercury that you built of your car. You're just a talented fellow. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 12, 2018 Author Share Posted December 12, 2018 Thanks for all the comments fellas. The wife and I hung the front fender Monday after lunch and I finished up with adjustments and securing it in place today. Everything lines up nice and has the right gap, and best of all I didn't scratch it. This weekend I hope to paint the other fender so I can do a repeat. Getting a little closer. Part by part. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Wow that looks great! Was the gap that good originally or did you tweak it? I love that color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 12, 2018 Author Share Posted December 12, 2018 Thanks. The gap was really close. I just had to tug here and push there and tighten bolts down. The fenders had indentations where the bolts were and they lined back up in the same spot. When you look in the paint can it looks tan with a rose tint to it. Then when it goes on it looks tan, and depending on the light it can have a yellow hue to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Zimmermann Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 In my opinion, not very wise to have the front fender installed when the door must still be sanded! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 12, 2018 Author Share Posted December 12, 2018 Don't worry Roger. I will be pulling the doors before doing any work on them. The way the hinges mount I can pull the door to the rear of the car to remove them. If I had a big enough shop area where I could do a whole car things would be different. Just doing the best I can with what I got. It will all work out. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 I was able to make more progress today. The weather has been nice and warm (70's) so I decided to get the other front fender painted and cleared. It turned out just a nice as the other one. After talking with the auto paint guy I'm going to do a cut and buff after the car is completely painted. So if it sets until Christmas it should be cured enough to hang it. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 Keep up the great work Martin. The paint looks great, and I second what Luv2Wrench said........that is a great color. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted December 22, 2018 Share Posted December 22, 2018 Martin, love your work. Cut and buff when the car is all painted and back together is the best way to do it. The Studebaker should be back on the road shortly after the New Year. Again, thanks for the inspiration. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas, and a Healthy New Year. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 22, 2018 Author Share Posted December 22, 2018 Thanks John. Hope to see some pictures of the Studebaker back on the road. Wishing you and your family and all the fine folks here a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 24, 2018 Author Share Posted December 24, 2018 After a half day of work in the shop I had my lovely assistant help me hang the other front fender. Came out just like the other one. Nice gaps and no scratches. I'm pleased with everything so far. Now the next phase will be the big roof. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 Hot DANG! That looks fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted December 27, 2018 Share Posted December 27, 2018 Did you ever obtain that NOS accessory Cruise Control that I mentioned on page 15? I never checked to see it if got listed on Ebay. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 27, 2018 Author Share Posted December 27, 2018 I didn't see it on Ebay, so not sure if it got posted and sold quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AURktman Posted December 28, 2018 Share Posted December 28, 2018 Looking great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hursst Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Getting close to finished. That engine color looks really good against the body color, too. This will be one interesting and unique car when it's all back together. You'll never see another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 Thanks for the comments guys. I'm getting there a little at a time. Hursst, I still have a ways to go yet. I think yours will be done before mine will be. I was hoping to get more done this week and next, but this cold weather that came in is killing me. Not use to it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 The car really is turning out awesome! I just love the color...the paint job looks fantastic so far. I have a question: What is the rectangular black metal enclosure sitting at an angle in the engine compartment forward of the master cylinder (on the fender well)? My '61 Monterey doesn't have one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Thanks James. It's a vacuum tank. The car came with power brakes. Does yours have power brakes? I figured the Monterey would since it was the top of the line model. If so there is a Tee fitting on the back of the booster that has a line that goes to the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 (edited) I do have power brakes, and I'm sure my car has a vacuum reserve tank, but not in that configuration. The car's in storage, but if I get a chance, I'll take a picture of what I've got and post it. I hate to admit it, but I can't exactly remember what the tank looks like.🙄 Hemmings won't let me post the exact picture, but here's a '61 Monterey that also doesn't have the tank. (Go to the engine bay pic.) Wish I could remember how mine's set up. I'm guessing Meteors maybe had a slightly different system, or maybe they sourced units from different suppliers during the model year. That's been the case for different parts on other cars I've owned. And of course, despite my car's originality, it may have an aftermarket replacement. https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/12/29/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1961-mercury-monterey/ Edited January 7, 2019 by JamesR (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 That's a different style than mine. The one I have is a Bendix brand. Not sure what they went to after that. Mine could be an earlier set up and they changed them in mid production which got rid of the can. I'm not sure on that though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Okay, I plead ignorance on my own car. I was confusing it with the '63 Olds I sold a couple of years ago. It had a vacuum reserve tank. I looked and couldn't find one anywhere in the engine bay of my Mercury. I have the same type of vacuum power brake booster that was in that other Monterey convertible I posted pics of, and like that car, there seems to be no obvious vacuum tank. Maybe it's somewhere else(?) If anyone else knows, please let me know. Sorry for the lack of cleanliness in my engine bay. I will clean it up. That's on my list. I put an aluminum radiator in the car - it's only non original component along with radial tires - and haven't had time to mess with other stuff. (I'm also rewiring a different car and I bought a T Bird.) I did include another pic to give an indication of the overall condition of the car. It has 54,000 original miles. It's got a 352 and a two speed auto transmission. Oh, another non original item I have is a small tach so I could see how many RPM's my two speed is making my engine rev at highway speeds. Paint and interior are original, as is chrome. You might be able to tell from the photo that my interior upholstery still has the tight fighting clear plastic covers over the seats that came from the dealer when new. It's kept them in excellent shape. There is a sizable bumper ding and small piece of missing trim on the other side. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 That's nice! Your booster is a Midland Ross style. Both are cars were built around the same time in 1960. It's got me thinking if the LA plant where mine was built was installing the older style boosters to use up stock and haven't yet received the newer ones that were being installed on the cars back east. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 3 hours ago, Laughing Coyote said: Your booster is a Midland Ross style. Both are cars were built around the same time in 1960. Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share Posted January 18, 2019 Well the weather has finally broke to a point where the sun is out and warming up some. We had 6" of snow for the 1st and 2nd day of the new year followed by rain every other day mixed with cold temps. When the weather was somewhat decent I had a ton of work to get done for the business. Since the weather was nicer today I decided to repaint the front rock guard. I had it painted and cleared a while back, but the clear ran bad and I wasn't happy how it came out. I resanded it and got it repainted and cleared and it looks nice like the fenders. Now I'm debating on if I should put the grill and headlight pieces on after I put the rock guard back on. I will be able to mask and cover those pieces when I get ready to do the cut and buff so they won't get damaged and dirty or be in the way. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Pretty, almost looks like a movie set. I would cut and buff before you put on the chrome. Really nice work, Martin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Zimmermann Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 Same opinion about buffing. With chrome in place, there is a zone you cannot buff. Nice scenery with the snow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 Is that Vail Arizona or Vail Colorado... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 20, 2019 Author Share Posted January 20, 2019 47 minutes ago, Luv2Wrench said: Is that Vail Arizona or Vail Colorado After two days of it I was starting to wonder. Things will green up nice this spring with all the snow and rain we had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 Love the snow pics Martin! (Our son in Scottsdale sent us a few pics of one of the golf courses at Desert Mountain with snow from the same storm......) Still enjoying your reports on the progress of the Merc, keep them coming. Paint is coming out beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 20, 2019 Author Share Posted January 20, 2019 The weather was great today. Sunny and warm. I know you back easter's don't want to hear that. After hanging a new glass shower door for the Mrs. I then was able to work on the car. I painted the black on the front of the fenders. They used a brush on them from the factory, so I used a brush and the same gloss black paint for the radiator core. I guess the reason for the black is so that the slots in the head light housing will show up better and to match the black in the center grill. I then installed the front rock guard, filled the tank with some gas, and took it out for a ride around the block. Still running great. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lahti35 Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 This easterner is toughing it out at -15 last night but your sunny pics give me hope! Great job, one of my favorite restorations on the AACA forum... always look forward to updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 I think these are the first pictures I've seen of the painted exterior surfaces outdoors in the natural light. That color looks great in real daylight, too...very "1961." I forgot to ask - did you need to replace major body panels or bumpers? (Probably in the text somewhere, but I haven't read everything.) If so, can you share your source? I found a refurbished and replated nice looking front bumper on ebay back when I bought my car a dozen years ago. IT WAS ONLY $185...but I thought, nah! Dumb move that I regretted. As I've said before, my front bumper has a sizable ding on the driver side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 Lahti35, Don't give up yet. The warm weather will be coming. I lived in Michigan and Wyoming when I was younger so I had my share of the freezing cold temps. Thanks for the comments. JamesR, I didn't have to replace any of my body panels thank goodness. It's just going to be little patches here and there and knockout dents. Since it's a one year model it's very hard to find fenders, hoods, and trunks. There's no sources I know of making any big repair panels. My bumpers are beat up, but still solid. I'm going to heat up the bad areas and bang out what I can and have the chrome shop do the rest. Just some information for you. I had "Then and Now" make the original style E brake pedal pad from my old worn out one. I wanted the correct one and you can't find one anywhere. He has them for sale if you need one. They also made the special rubber blocks for the front of the rear leaf spring mount. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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