Customizing a 1940 Merc Sedan "Fat Girl"

[Kevan Sledge]

So I bought this sedan about a year ago with intensions of making a full custom out of it. I’ve always like the 40 sedans so when this one came up for a good price I jumped on it! I always wondered how one would look customized so after seeing Riks photoshop image of a 39 it made me want one even more. I had evey intension on building this car But after about 6 months something else came along that I had to buy so I sold the Merc to my long time friend Vic Jimenez. Vic owns several 40 mercs but was really happy to get a 2 door sedan because they are quite rare.

The car is being built by Vic with my help. Vic is on the road quite a bit so the custom process on this car will probably take a while. Here is what We’ve done so far.

This is actually a very strait and rust free car.

Here is Vic getting ready to get to work!

[Kevan Sledge]

First we started with lowering the car. We cut and straitened the rear crossmember to get it down.

Here it is with a skirt and flipper hubcap installed

[david]

I just pick up a 1941 chev 2 dr sedan that i hope to tear into this summer.ill be watching this build.

[Kevan Sledge]

Here is Vic cutting off the drip rails and getting ready to chop the top

First he cut the door tops off then cut out the B Pillar on both side. Then the top was measured out for a 3″ chop in front and 4″ in the rear.

Here is the roof cut and first try back on the car

Next we lined up and tacked up the A pillers then started working on the door tops and B pillars

This is about where we left off. Now waiting for Vic to come back so we can continue!

[Kevan Sledge]

Here’s a another picture with the B pillar back in. We nicknamed her “Fat Girl” after the Fats Navarro song which kept coming on the stereo as we were working on it. hahaha

[Rik Hoving]

Thank you for sharing these on the CCC Kevan. This of course is one of my all time favorites. I just love the shape of these round teardrop shaped 1939-40 Mercury sedan bodies. And seeing one gets chopped with the perfect proportions is just so very exciting. I hope Vic will be back soon… I need to see more.

Here is the design I did many years ago. Based on a 1939 Mercury sedan, for those who might not have seen it.

Enjoy the beauty of Customizing

[PalleJ]

cool project Kevan & Vic…the chop is just right
your new shop looks amazing. and i am sure the Merc customers will keep coming from all over!

good luck
-palle

[PalleJ]

oooh..i forgot! what date are Tim and I going to pick you up in August!!?

[Renaud Zed Legardez]

great potential !

[Tony]

Apart from the great cars you guys work on, you also listen to some great music.

I like Fats.

[Kevan Sledge]

PalleJ wrote:

oooh..i forgot! what date are Tim and I going to pick you up in August!!?

Man that would be great Palle! I need to work on it!

[Kevan Sledge]

Tony wrote:

Apart from the great cars you guys work on, you also listen to some great music.

I like Fats.

Gotta have the right music Tony!

[Tony]

Dexter Gordon, Lee Morgan, Blakey, Miles…I like to work to all that stuff.

[Author]

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