57 Chevy Getting Dirty - Done 2-10

[mercman]

I get easily distracted, so while I started on my Daily Driver build I dug this one out, and started hacking away.

Basic cage all from 3/32nd tubing.


All braced up, and ready for some fender banging.


Possible dash board, from a Monogram NASCAR kit modified to fit.


Gutted engine bay.


Checking tires.

[fireguy14]

Nice work Junior! I have a '57 that I picked up @ GoodWill for a buck. Was assembled, and missing some pieces. The side trim inserts are decals and chipping. Thinking along the lines of this for a rebuild on mine. Maybe drill mounting holes and sand off the side trim spears. Can't wait to see more!

[mercman]

After another 7 hours at the bench here is the new progress. This one is taking on a life of it's own.

Added some more interior bracing.


Made up a fuel cell, and drive shaft safety loops.


Radiator brackets.


Gutted the grille.


Finally found some tires, and rims. The rims will be stripped, and reinforced, then paint a solid color.


Not shown are the headlight sheet metal pieces, as they are still gluing. Need to make shock brackets next then off to paint

[mercman]

And the build continues. Modified a set of shocks from a NASCAR kit to double shock the rear end.



Added more bracing, and reinforced the front corner. This is the side that took the brunt of the force going into the turns. Also you can see the headlight covers I made.


Needed some gauges, don't want to blow the engine. Made from decals, sheet plastic, aluminum tubing, and split O-rings for necklaces.



Got the rims soaking to remove the chrome, before they get beefed up, and repainted. Didn't get to much accomplished today, as I had to play nurse maid to my daughter, she had surgery, and all went well. Nothing major, just redo of a old injury.

[roadhawg]

That looks great so far! The only advice I can give is the fuel cell is upside down...the fill plate goes on the top. Roll cage looks good, definitely has that "Saturday night short track" feel to it! Got a color scheme in mind?

[mercman]

The fuel cell is going to be modified to look smoother so all of what you see now will be gone.

[mercman]

To be legal back then Centerlines weren't around yet so I had to modify them. Gave them a bath in Easy Off Oven cleaner to remove the chrome, as they will be painted.


Also fuel cells weren't the norm, except for the sprint cars. You were allowed a 10-15 gal tank.So I modified the fuel cell also.


This is what I used to make the wheel disc's.



Finally the new modified wheels.


Also found a new seat closer to what we had back then, from the AMT DD Kit for the Fiat.

[john2308]

Great progress on an outstanding build !! Like your detail on the whole subject, Awesome. John

[Nacho Z]

Looks like a lot of nice work going into this one.

[mercman]

Some more body work today, filled in the holes for the taillights.

Made a steering column, and bracket, and test fit the seat.


Then made mounts for the retainer pins for the hood, and trunk.

[tool]

wow this is amazing !!

[mercman]

Once again I got side tracked.

These are just the mock up pics so far. I have the main frame done, and cut the wood for the floor. Long way to go yet.

Gotta get it to the track somehow.

[mercman]

This is just about ready for paint also. Made up some loading ramps, and reinforced the frame. The floor will now sit inside of the grey frame sides, and will fit tight.

[Nacho Z]

Man, this project is moving right along! Wish I could build at anywhere near your pace.

[mercman]

Jan 12, 2013 9:34:07 GMT -5 Nacho Z said:

Man, this project is moving right along! Wish I could build at anywhere near your pace.

Shouldn't be to hard to do, as I already have 15 hours alone into the trailer. Mainly because I am making it up as I go. Didn't draw up plans first like I normally do.

[mercman]

The trailer is done ready for paint shop.


And here is the tow vehicle.



This is being built as a CBP on another forum. Daily Drivers, not to shiny, or rusty. I removed all of the badges, and also the one pillar to give it a semi Kustom look. Kind-of a project in progress type of vehicle.

[tim]

Very nice work on this mercman. The trailer and 57 look great. Did the lug nuts come from those little skateboards or bikes? Just wondering.

[mercman]

These are the lug nuts. I went to buy some more of them the other day, and they now sell for $4.00 a pack.

[The Mad Modeller]

Cool project.

[mercman]

Well got a bit more done today, as the roads were crap for driving on.

Here are the front hood pins.


Then made headers for it. They still need some tweaking yet.




Also the body is in the paint booth getting primer.


I didn't like the first trailer hitch I made, so took it off. It was too close, and the clearance wasn't right.
Old.

New.


This way the trailer will clear the bumper. Speaking of which both the body for this one, and the trailer are in the paint booth. The trailer is painted, the Nomad is in first coat of primer.

[mercman]

Got the bed floor in, and added bolt head detail.


Safety chains from necklace chain and a couple of fish hooks.


Final pic all I need is a license plate for it. I stained the bed to represent leaking fluids, and used a little powder also.


All in all I'm calling it done. Now to get the tow vehicle ready.

[mercman]

Got some paint on them today, here it is with the first coat of paint. I see I have some bubbles to take care of.


And the stocker.


Paint is Tamiya Green Metallic, and Lavender.
Now I have to do the frame, and cage painting yet, then assemble it all.

[Nacho Z]

I have been following this one since day one. I don't get to comment all of the time but let me tell you I really enjoy all of your updates. The trailer looks GREAT! Love the stains, pinstrips, and reflectors. Keep on posting!

[mercman]

Jan 20, 2013 11:11:10 GMT -5 Nacho Z said:

I have following this one since day one. I don't get to comment all of the time but let me tell you I really enjoy all of your updates. The trailer looks GREAT! Love the stains, pinstrips, and reflectors. Keep on posting!

I wanted to give the look of oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid leaks with the stains. Obviously this trailer has seen a lot of use over the years. The pinstripes came from the Revell 49 Merc kit. I thought of maybe adding some sponsor decals also but talked myself out of it.
The reflectors are made from a piece of styrene sheet I punched with a leather punch tool, then trimmed with a split O ring for jewelery necklaces. They come in various sizes.

[mercman]

[mercman]

Update on this build, I had issues with soime bubbles in the paint so decided to make it look like a project in use. I sanded out the bubbles, and primered the spots.

I did this is his daily driver/ on going project, so he needs it day to day.

Also someone mentioned no fenders on the trailer, so I made some from sheet aluminum.

[Nacho Z]

As cool as always. I kind of like that daily driver, working on it as I go look on the wagon.

[mercman]

Got the seat in today along with all of the various cables, and lines. I built a battery box, but the paint is still drying on that yet. Seat belts were made from duct tape, and the padding for the rollbars is wiring insulation. The shifter boot is from a rubber fishing lure. The box in the middle contains the starter switches, and the fuel shut off.

[mercman]

Got the mud screens on today.

Radiator Screen


Also had to redo the headers.
Old

New

[john2308]

Cool project !! Can't wait for the next update. John