50 fleetline

@shine
You are building this to sell correct? If I remember right, you said some time ago that you won't or don't need to auction the stuff you build to sell. Curious how you get the word out? Advertise or strictly word of mouth with former customers? Or do you plan to show it and by doing so then sell it? Not asking you to give away any secrets, just trying to understand so that I can hopefully do what you are doing one day.

I personally wouldn't have the stones to build something really nice, tie up 50-75K in it and then lose money auctioning it off at no reserve. (I know that's not what you are doing)
 
My cars in the past have had build threads on various sites . Someone follows and decides they want it . Never got one done before it sold . But I've been pretty much out of it for the last 7 years . Was pretty hard finishing the truck after my health issues . The fleetline will take some time depending on my level of recovery .
 
It's getting really hard for me to tell what is going to bring the money. I saw lots of the older cars that didn't bring anything, and then $110,000 for that!
Its crazy because at a show i wouldn't give that jeep a second look. Belongs in parking lot outside the show. 110k lol. Is this stuff made up
 
man 30 years . it's guys like you that save these cars . thanks . now that you've drug it out what are your plans ?
Don't really have a plan..I just couldn't let it go...it's sitting at home now,covered just waiting for me to decide...got 2 projects in front of it before having to decide...leaning towards get it running and stopping and hand it off to the next guy
 
what are your plans ?

I've always wanted a chopped top lead sled. 49-51 Mercs are my favorite, but they are like 69 Camaros, insanely valuable. I picked up the 49 Fleetline and a couple 54's as well, although the 54's are not nearly as good of condition.

The 49 I have since gotten running, added electronic ignition and converted it to 12 volt. For now it will be used as a mobile backround for my wifes photography business, people really love the Americana look of old cars. Drive it out to a farm or the river and use it for a cool backdrop.

I am torn between cutting this one up or one of the 54s. Either way, I'll end up with a lead sled.
 
dropping the top on a fleetline is a nightmare . you end up in the trunk . take a side shot pic then make copies . you can cut up the pics to find the cuts .

compared to the 49 the 54 is a piece of cake .
 
I have a 31 Model A Tudor that I will chop first, then I'll see what I think of it! I have been investing in metal shaping equipment, such as planishing hammers, shrinkers, stretchers, etc etc... would be a hell of a challenge!

There is a shop out in Rapid City (Revision Rides, guy from G3 Rods started it) that put on a chop top class with Jesse Miller of Miller Metalworks, hoping maybe next time I can get in on that as a donor car. I'm just not sure which I like better, chopped Fleetlines or the Styleline/Bel Air...
 
i've done a lot of chops but the fleetline is one i'll pass on . way too much work for me at this stage .
 
I was into the 49-51 Mercurys . Dropped the top on 4 of them and installed on Olds floor/ frame. Shine is right I never finished one as they sold in working stage. It's the small stuff that is so hard and a lot of time to finish. I was lucky sold 2 to same family. By the way still have a few 49-50 roof/back window if interested?
 
All good answers boys. :)Everybody gets a gold star...stick out your foreheads and lemme get my hammer:p. Thing that struck me first was the waviness of the body especially in that last pic. Looks like someone sanded it with a DA or a 6" soft block, instead of blocking it. Other thing that struck me was that it was either thrown together or not a lot of effort on that "last 10%" like TK said, to make it work. Like someone said lets get a bunch of premium components, put em on this truck, and make a bunch of money.
The bed and cab don't even line up.
 
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