Jeffs 51 Merc by King Kustoms Temecula
- This topic has 54 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 10 months ago by KingKustoms.
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May 10, 2016 at 23:25 #37893KingKustomsParticipant
Hi guys, seeing the post on period-correct engines in kustoms got me thinking….I really need to update this post. Jeff and Sarah MacMillan have recently finished the install of a ’55 Cadillac motor in their ’51 Merc. When I get home from my work computer, I will add some recent pictures! π
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 10, 2016 at 23:53 #37894KingKustomsParticipantWell the chop was finished and Jeff’s Merc left back in September. I’ve been teaching high school history full time and still doing kustom work on the weekends. Here are a few pictures I had on my phone that Rik Hoving did to show the completed car…simply stunning art work. Stay tuned for the pictures of the finished chop and Cadillac motor install.
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 10, 2016 at 23:58 #37902KingKustomsParticipantFreshly chromed window frames, vent windows, and stainless window trim π
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 11, 2016 at 00:03 #37908KingKustomsParticipantJeff and Sarah have recently finished installing a ’55 Cadillac motor in their Merc at their beautiful home in Las Vegas. I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing it under its new power! π
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 11, 2016 at 02:41 #37922bob tindaleParticipantLove the fact that the 51 rear window was used. More facts on what is needed to install the Cad. engine is welcomed.
May 11, 2016 at 05:59 #37923TorchieParticipantLove the fact that the 51 rear window was used. More facts on what is needed to install the Cad. engine is welcomed.
Inquiring minds want to know. π I have heard it is a bit of a PITA.
TorchieMay 11, 2016 at 07:07 #37926Rik HovingKeymasterBeautiful.
Thanks for the update pictures Rob.Those chrome garnish moldings and other chrome parts look really amazing.
And that Engine…. wow Really looking forward to see the car in paint and hopefully one day see and hear being driven.Enjoy the beauty of Customizing
May 11, 2016 at 19:10 #37942KingKustomsParticipantThanks for the compliments, guys! Keeping that ’51 rear window was A LOT of work…it literally fights you from every angle. I stared at it for hours before I figured out my plan of attack. However, I would gladly do it again π
Jeff and Sarah did the Cadillac motor install at their home. I know it was a lot of work, but I do not know the exact details on the swap. I put Jeff in touch with Chris Whittington and Jimmy White, two of the best guys in the business, and they were a big help on leading him down the right path with the correct tie rod and motor mount modifications. I will try to get Jeff on here so he can fill us all in on the process.
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 11, 2016 at 19:50 #37943Kenneth KristianssonParticipantThatΒ΄s strange, I was thinking of this car the other day wondering how it progressed and here it is. Looks great and good thing keeping the stock 51 window. Did you have to reshape the lower corners or are they untuched?
May 12, 2016 at 06:23 #37946KingKustomsParticipantThatΒ΄s strange, I was thinking of this car the other day wondering how it progressed and here it is. Looks great and good thing keeping the stock 51 window. Did you have to reshape the lower corners or are they untuched?
Hi Kenneth,
The ’51 rear window is completely stock…I almost pulled my hair out trying to get the window to flow correctly while still allowing for the beltline stainless to clear the lower stainless trim on the rear window. They just barely touch, but it will look factory…nothing will need to be trimmed (glass or stainless). That was a bitch! If you look at the Lee Lucero and Hirohata, the stainless is trimmed so the rear windows in both of those chops can be laid down more radically…but then again, this is only a 3″/3.5″ chop.
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 14, 2016 at 22:10 #38052Dean MillerParticipantWhat did you use for the rear bumper guard?
May 16, 2016 at 18:46 #38116KingKustomsParticipantWhat did you use for the rear bumper guard?
Narrowed ’52 Kaiser with the bullets removed. π
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 16, 2016 at 20:56 #38119Renaud Zed LegardezParticipantAnother great kustom from king kustoms, Rob.
You mention you teach history now, and only work on kustoms on week end. Is that a personal choice, or due to the lack of kustomer ? I can believe it could be the second option as your work is flawless and i would lose my faith in humanity for ever! π
May 23, 2016 at 22:24 #38427KingKustomsParticipantAnother great kustom from king kustoms, Rob.
You mention you teach history now, and only work on kustoms on week end. Is that a personal choice, or due to the lack of kustomer ? I can believe it could be the second option as your work is flawless and i would lose my faith in humanity for ever!
Hi Renaud,
You’re not the first to ask this π It is completely based on personal choice. I always wanted to finish my degree and do something that would build upon my interests in history while keeping the kustom work as a side business. To answer the question about being able to sustain a comfortable lifestyle working solely on kustom cars, well…not really. It is very up and down financially and always demanding of your time. It’s very easy to burn out quickly when it is the only thing putting bread on the table. At one point or another over the past 12-13 years, I have had anywhere from 2-6 cars stashed in my parents’ yard waiting their turn in a daily/weekly cycle for metalwork. While I did love it 90% of the time, I love it even more now that I get to look forward to it on the weekends. Teaching M-F leaves me yearning for it and I still have summers off where I can hit the kustom work full-time. Don’t worry- I’m not going anywhere π
Robert A. Radcliffe III
King KustomsMay 23, 2016 at 22:41 #38428Tom NielsenParticipantHI,
There is a real need for good teachers, so more power to you. I like everything about this Merc. Beautiful work and nice detailing. Those garnish moldings are like works of art! I have always loved Cadillac engines in Mercurys.
I was also a teacher for my career. -
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