My name is Bryan Barts and am a 31 year old midwestern transplant to the Philadelphia area. Growing up in the midwest, old cars were always around me. From farmers taking the occasional Sunday drive in their original A's and early Fords, to the high-dollar street rod rumbling down main street. In addition to that my father was a mechanic for several Ford dealerships over the course of his 32 years in the industry and his passion for cars was a constant in my life, it was said around town from the old-timers I would talk to that, 'No one could tune a carb like your old man', which I have always snickered at.
So, fast forward to my current project, a 1950 Mercury Sedan. My plans are to follow a retro modern build including an updated engine, transmission and rear axle as well as utilize air-ride technology to control the suspension. As far as the body is concerned I plan on converting it to a 2 door coupe and incorporate a custom 1953 DeSoto grill, 1949 Mercury Dash, 1949 Lincoln Taillights and a 1964 Thunderbird interior. No small feat, but working one step at a time. To help follow my build encourage you to check it out.
Thanks for allowing me to share my story,
Bryan
My 50 Merc - A new project
Thursday, May 11, 2006
So...I was cruising through the Internet and I came across a posting for a 50 Merc Sedan in Long Island. I come to find out that it is owned by a guy I have met before. So, I concoct this idea to buy it, store it in a buddies garage and do some work to it. Well.. as luck would have it, I got in WAY over my head.. I had to cajole a friend into helping me pick it up and get a car dolly... buy wheels to replace the ones on it for towing... raise the money, send the money and then get it home...and remember..it is in LONG ISLAND...so that means bridges.. lots of tolls and New York drivers...
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Installing a new Front Suspension
Friday, March 9, 2007
I decided that I would try to install a common low-rider practice of air-bags instead of springs. So follow along below and see the process.
Removing the original A-Arms, both upper and lower
Installing the lower A-Arm spacers and plates
Installing the upper and lower pieces and the A-Arms, lower bump stops, air bags before putting the newly rebuilt upright spindles.
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Removing the original A-Arms, both upper and lower |
Installing the lower A-Arm spacers and plates |
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Installing the upper and lower pieces |
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Like a Glove
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
I just had to do it. I took the new rear thunderbird seat home on sat, cleaned it up with simple green and then sprayed it down with a vinyl protectant. Then I had to get back to see how it will fit…and wouldn’t you know it…
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Like a GLOVE…I cannot wait until I get some of the metal work done on this car and start to put this in…It will RULE!!! |
Moonlighting no more
May 2007
Well, it is officially a 1 year anniversary. Jeff mentioned this to me and I was shocked that it had been that long. So, Yeah, I got this car about the same time last year and cannot believe it is this far. Today I got the front airbags finally completely installed and plumbed. I also got some steel wheels for the car - but might pick up another two when I get the chance (87 Lincoln Towncar).
Jeff helped me out a bunch today and I can’t thank him enough. For aesthetics we put on the front fender and rear quarter panel. We also got the alternator issue figured out. It is slow progress on this front end as I have replaced everything. Still have to tighten down those up-right bolts.
Below are a bunch of pictures of the first sun it has seen since the drive home.
Rocker Panel project
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Got to tear into the car some more, trying to get the hard part started. This car, as you have seen, has rust issues. Kind of all over the place including pretty much the lower 5 inches around the entire car.
I got to cut into and remove the entire outer rocker panel assembly. Previously I trimmed the outside, but this time I dug deep and separated them from the inner rocker panels at the spot welds. I think this should be a fun and soul cleansing experience, if I can get it done without screwing something up.
Rocker Rust - One step closer to the end
Saturday, November 17, 2007
I have been busy with a lot of stuff lately, and have only been able to work on the rust problem in this car on a limited basis. However, I am particularly happy in the last few days, I have been busy welding and grinding away and getting closer to making the repairs this car needs.
I had some help a week or two back from Sawzall with making patch panels and offering some help in the planning of this project. Starting on the drivers side, I cut away a lot of the inner rocker panel and forgot to take pictures. However, I have the pieces pretty much welded back in and the rocker is almost in place.
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Here is the look from the ground: |
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Inside rear post: |
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From the top: |
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Inner Rear Wheel: |
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Mercury Hood Project
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
As you can tell by now, this car is going to be a big project. Or I should say a number of small projects. Rocker panels, suspension, and now the hood. Seems like everything I have is a bit on the “rough” side. It is giving me plenty of practice and I am starting to think my new nickname should be cut-n-grind.
So, now the hood. I got this hood when i bought the car. It is originally from a 51 as can be seen by the imprint of the front lip chrome piece that was removed a long time ago. As as can be expected, I have my work cut out for me. Behind the trim there is always more rust than you think. So, I measures up some pieces awhile back to replace the front lip. I will reinforce it later.
So, here it is on the car. The eccentric bolts for the hood are 5/16th’s fine thread with a shoulder on it. I had to get 4 of the 6 on to make it workable.
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With it on, I can say now that it officially will not fit in the garage length wise. A close up of the front lip area with the patch panels in place. I marked these off with a metal awl, then removed then and started cutting.
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This is what lies behind the rusty lip. There is an inner brace structure that is rusty as well, however, most of it I cut away and shouldn’t have a problem reinforcing it.
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Pieces welded in. I have more work to do. Much more. There will be a decent amount of filler on this piece and I am okay with that. This is my first shot at this stuff and I expect to get better with more practice. |
Custom Fabrication - Rear enclosure
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I am not quite sure how I am going to do this, but I sure am glad that these old cars have so much space in the trunk. I am going to custom build two enclosures to go behind the rear wheels that can serve the purpose of storage and hold my air compressor for my front airbags.
Here is a picture of the passenger side which will hold the air compressor.
Another nice thing about an old car is that you can use it literally as the notepad for your project.
Now all I have to do is figure out how I can make one without having to weld up all the individual pieces.
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Trunk Panel - Update
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
I recently updated a number of changes I have made and forgot to add this one. The way the trunk floor is set up I had to measure out and will have to fabricate quite a bit yet. So, I got the largest part of the project done awhile back - though it isn’t officially done yet.
The center piece will still need to have some reinforcement put into the panel with a bead roller, I just haven’t had time to get out to my buddy’s shop to do it. It will cover the gas tank and need to be removable for any servicing that needs to be done to the rear axle or underside of the car. Not a bit step, but every little bit helps. Fun, Fun, Fun.
Here it is with the beads rolled. Next step is to secure it to the brace with some screws. I predrilled holes about every 4 inches or so and used self tapping metal screws to hold it down. I will put a soft gasket type material as well. Now I have to work on the side boxes to store the air compressors and mount the tank.
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Passenger Rear Section
& Drivers Side Fender
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
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Picture To The Right - I cut this away a few weeks ago, but only now have gotten around to taking a picture. I tell you, this car is really teaching the true value of an original car. This rear part of the fender is where the inside wheel well connect to a small channel and then to the outside of the car. This small channel also allows for the rear fender to bolt to the body through the use of cages nuts (which is an exclusive ford design and one that they should hit over the head for doing…but I digress). So, as with the drivers side, this area has to be completely fabricated and made new. So, I have struggled to get the inside piece to weld fully, but I am finding and learning what battles to pick. Enough undercoating and POR 15 and that will never be an issue. The next step is to make an outer piece and weld it in, beign carfeul not to warp the side of the car as well as drill holes to mount the fender to. Shouldn’t be too long before this part gets done. |
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Picture To The Left - I cut this away a few weeks ago, but only now have gotten around to taking a picture. I tell you, this car is really teaching the true value of an original car. This rear part of the fender is where the inside wheel well connect to a small channel and then to the outside of the car. This small channel also allows for the rear fender to bolt to the body through the use of cages nuts (which is an exclusive ford design and one that they should hit over the head for doing…but I digress). So, as with the drivers side, this area has to be completely fabricated and made new. So, I have struggled to get the inside piece to weld fully, but I am finding and learning what battles to pick. Enough undercoating and POR 15 and that will never be an issue. The next step is to make an outer piece and weld it in, beign carfeul not to warp the side of the car as well as drill holes to mount the fender to. Shouldn’t be too long before this part gets done. |
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Trunk Boxes
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
I have been off of work for two weeks as a vacation before starting my next position. As such, I have big plans for the car. My buddy Jeff is coming up on saturday and I plan to hammer out some major work so look for an update.
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However, the last two days I have been working non-stop in the garage. |
Fabrication Nation
It starts with a tape measure
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Well, sorry for taking so long to update you, but my site is going through some weird problem with an internal server error. I cannot seem to upload pictures very easily.
Anyway I kind of found a way around it so that should work for now.
I have been pretty busy in the garage lately. With some more help from my friend Jeff - I got some pieces bent up so that I could start to fabricate pieces and move forward with undoubtedly the hardest part of this project - the grill.
The Desoto Grill swap is nothing new to custom guys, but until you do one, you have no idea what goes into it. Alot of measuring and take this word of advice from me - PAY FOR GOOD PIECES so that you do not have to work through all the rust repair and fit issues.
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Lift off!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
As I continued to dig into this project, I knew early that I needed to get to the frame to make sure that everything is strong. With so much of the parts running outside of the car like fuel lines, brake lines, exhaust, it would be a wise choice to start with a bare frame.
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So, with a little help from another mercury owner I build a wooden buck to store the body of my car. |
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As with everything in this project having another person there to help makes things a whole lot easier. So my friend sawzall came over and we got it going. |
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The process wasn’t as hard as I thought, though I have a new appreciation for the “frame off” restoration process. I had to spend the afternoon cutting all the bolts free from the frame, moving the car to set it up, cleaning the garage and building the buck. |
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As well I will be doing some significant bracing and welding of the frame as I have found some weak points. |
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Bare Frame
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The work has begun on the frame. I have removed the body bushings (small rubber disks cushioning the body and reducing the squeaking. Most are hard as a rock from years of weather and climate so those will definitely have to be replaced.
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As well I have started to clean the frame and assess areas that need to be strengthened. I should be able to make quite an impact by welding some well placed braces and connection pieces. |
Framework - plans taking shape
Sunday, November 30, 2008
So I had some time off this week, being Thanksgiving and all, so I had a chance to get to the metal yard and pick up what I needed to start my frame work. I picked up some steel tubing, mostly 2×4 and 2×6 with some plate as well. I think I will need to head back there again shortly to pick up some more stuff. Anyway, I got to work on the first part.
The rear crossmember. Rusted out and bent, it needed to be replaced. In addition to that I also needed to get the rusted bumper bolts out of the frame. So I went to work.
The rear crossmember is 50 inches and so when I got the metal I made sure to have them cut it to specification. It worked out perfectly.
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With some prepping and my welder all warmed up it went in perfectly. Though you can’t see it, there are 4 bumper bolts that I had to remove from the frame. They were a royal pain. |
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X stinguished - i reframed my thinking
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Yeah, so it has been awhile, and I am sorry for that ... but lets just say thanks because it is ON!!!
I consulted with my chief design engineer ... aka friend about this chassis and came up with a much better plan.
I cut it out ... what is it ... glad you asked
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Then things got crazy .. tubing .. measuring, cutting, grinding, welding … measuring … measuring ... more measuring.. |
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I think this suspension is going to be fun… |
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The toughest part was making the front pieces…now..i still have some structural steel to add, but it works great. |
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This suspension is used in NASCAR’s cars and it originated from 60-72 chevy half ton pick up trucks..still lots to do, but this was a MAJOR step. |
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It goes up and down
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
FINALLY…got my rear suspension dialed in…it has been a long time since I have given any updates..so my apologies..
But I got the trailing arms in, squared up, figured out the rear shocks, panhard bar is in and the bags set up.
Welded in the cross bar and the bag mounts and tonight it went up and down..
Next thing to do is tear it all apart ... rotate the frame and finish welding the bottom sides of the frame that I couldn’t get to earlier … then off to the blaster..
The while that’s happening I plan on redoing the lower a-arms with an integrated shock mount. Shouldn’t be too hard..
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Here is some pics.. From the front (Above images) .. with the bags inflated |
Chassis Update
Thursday, October 29, 2009
I have been taking my time doing chassis projects because I want to make sure that I do them correctly. I have since reassembled the frame and purchased a new repop gas tank. They are pretty nice I have to admit. I plan on running the fuel pump externally and have started to run the brake lines and air lines for the rear bags.
Here you can see the frame, with the repainted steering column and the relocated front shocks. I will have them done and welded on soon. Also, there is a 49 merc dash that I plan on building for it as well. One piece at a time right?
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Like a new man
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Have you ever felt that way...something happens and you get a renewed feeling. Inspiration and possibility abound..well. In my distorted little world getting my frame blasted did that. For the first time, everything is clean. The guy did a really nice job and now I got a bug to get everything cleaned. He sprayed it with a thick black epoxy primer and off I go.
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Newest Acquisition - Gotha Intake
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Not many people really know why I like "old cars", sometimes I don't, but then something comes along and it lights a fire. A guy I had done some business with gives me a call out of the blue about his health and how he is looking to get rid of some of his parts because he is going, "under the knife".
Of course not great news, but there really isn't much of an alternative.
Long story short, he shows me this intake and when I saw what was on it, I darned near fell over. He said the magical words..."gotha" and my blood jumped...
You see, gotha is an old speed company who is no longer in business and their stuff is pretty rare..
Check it out. It is a Mercury flathead intake with two adapters brazed on. Pretty sweet...
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Front Suspension - Done
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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Well, as with most things so far in this project..I have taken too long to do the little things. |
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Front Suspension - Done
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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Well, as with most things so far in this project..I have taken too long to do the little things. |
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Chassis Update
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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The weather this weekend was great. I got to spend a bunch of time on sunday messing around with the brakes, fuel and transmission lines. All this little stuff takes so much time, especially when there isn't anything to reference. |
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I am running a stock TH350 automatic trans and the next hurdle is to run the cooler lines. So I fabbed them out of wire I had. Cheap and ease to do. Now I just have to get the pieces, bend them up. |
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Also, the next issue I am having is how to run the electric fuel pump. It is a red holley high flow pump and the directions state to mount it lower than the gas tank and use gravity to feed it, as it is designed to push, not pull. |
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WELL...my car isn't designed to allow for that, unless I mount it three feet ahead of the tank. |
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Thanks Bryan for sharing your build with us.... We hope everyone enjoy’s your hard work as much as we do.
If you would like to keep up to date on Bryan’s Build
send him an EMAIL for his direct link.
