The Rear Roof Section Is All One Piece!! - 1939 Chopped Mercury Coupe

[@afmajor322]

Forget about the metal work skills, the fact that the glass hasn’t broken yet is the amazing part

[@TrashcanGarage]

Was wondering about that myself.

[@TheodoreCross-d7b]

As flat as that rear window is, it will be hard to see behind.

[@kevinharms5558]

It won't matter as it has to be replaced. It will have all kinds of marks and grind/weld platter. I see he gave up on trying to protect it halfway through. His paper probably lit on fire 😂

[@trumbley22]

​@@TheodoreCross-d7bTo me it would look better with the back of the roof just a bit less flat, but it's his vision and not mine. The work is awesome, but that back window is now effectively 5-6" tall.

[@scottwhite3563]

I think you may have just set a new standard for roof chops on a Mercury! It couldn’t look any better IMO. Thanks for taking the time to take us thru the process - loved it! Can’t wait to see it in primer ...

[@bryanmeyers5476]

You are a true craftsman, Matt.

[@jhwk1970]

My dear wife is a seamstress extraordinaire with decades of applying her skill and talent on any number of custom sewing jobs that she decided to take on. Your process on the Merc roof is remarkably similar to her approach and process to a project. Tip of the hat to ITG….and my spouse.

[@markwells3759]

The 39 Mercury has become a work of art, it looks amazing from here in Annville. You could teach the guy in Nova Scotia a few lessons in patience and workmanship!

[@lowthery]

The guy in Nova Scotia could never attain those skills he rushes too much. I only go there to read the comments.

[@theonebrewster]

every builder brings their style to their work..... Iron Trap Garage is flavored with old school USA and the East Coast builders of the past, plus a good share of Matt's vision....

[@TheodoreCross-d7b]

The"Guy" in Nova Scotia is just a UTube Hack, with a lot of Sheeple that seem to think the sun rises in his arse. He has NEVER completed even ONE of his "builds". No comparison to Iron Trap. IMHO

[@geofo60]

I'm guessing we're talking about the coat hanger guy and definitely not Derek at Coldstream Hotrods.

[@billbeyer657]

Amazing metal work Matt. Never knew there was so much work involved in chopping a roof the right way.

[@geniferteal4178]

The roof line reminds me somewhat of an Audi TT. One of the later models, mostly just the roofline.I've always liked that look.

[@thomasst.martin3308]

Absolute amazing project. Much more so than repairing a rusty door bottom or quarter. Your skill levels have skyrocketed with this chopped top. Very well done. Can't wait to see how the side windows are going to look.

[@hankpugh4980]

Fascinating how flat steel can be shaped , welding and blended. That took the ugly out of that roof line,not so bulbous. Nice work Matt.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@JamesFeatherstone-qu4bs]

Artistry in metal.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you’

[@bruce-n6w]

At about 15 minutes, the music tempo matching the sped-up tack welding process, good editing and music selection. Fun to watch and learn.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks!

[@NotempoT]

I know we can be hard on ourselves with perfectionism, but Matt that looks amazing. Be sure to pat yourself on the back. It awesome!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks, I’m trying to do it justice!

[@gordonhenagar6652]

I don’t remember if I mentioned this before but when you were digging that rat nest out, before you tipped your hand that you would be changing the roofline , I thought man that’s a pretty car but the roof looks weird. You have done a better job of restyling it than I ever dreamed possible, it looks so right with that slant back roofline, great job guys! Looking forward to more!

[@PepeofCalif]

Wow awesome job ~ especially that fine tune to get that body line in & right. Amazing to think 80 years ago thousands of Aluminum Fighter Planes and Bombers were built the same way and rolling out every day to win the war. Love those aircraft tapers, good score !

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks! It is quite crazy to think how quickly they were pumping out planes during that time!

[@stevenslater2669]

The further you get into this top chop-fabrication job the more I’m impressed with your skill! I remember watching Marcel & his son’s fabricate entire bodies from a few sketches for Boyd Coddington.Boyd had some talented metal men at his shop, like the fellow who now works for Jay Leno. But even they hit the wall when trying to build a mini car to match a customer’s full size custom. I think you, Matt, are only a step below Marcel but a step beyond Jay’s metal man. You have the eye for how the curved surfaces blend (& how to make those surfaces come together.) That’s rare today. When I started with Ford Engine Engineering, body design was still being done on the drawing board with pencils. There were ‘secret’ drawing techniques called surface keys that were passed from father to son, as body design was a closed trade. The only way you got into that phase was to have a close relative already working there. By the ‘70s computer aided design was coming in (poached from aircraft industry.) By the time Ford’s Fairmont went into production (‘78 - ‘83) most of the paper body designers had moved into management or retired. (I’m talking about body sheet metal design, NOT STYLING.) Something wasn’t right with the CAD programming and the 2 door hardtop left rear quarter had a bulge, which showed up in the first production bodies. The CAD software programmers couldn’t find the problem. When you have a job-stopper on a production vehicle you get a lot of help from the very top of the company. Senior management pulled managers from their jobs and put them back on the board to redevelop that rear quarter and they worked around the clock to do it the old fashioned way. My then-wife’s uncle Dick was one of those body guys. His last design job had been the interior surfaces of the 1965 Mustang convertible. I doubt there are any body designers left who can develop those surfaces by 13:59 hand. And the CAD software must be so far advanced today that that that Fairmont quarter panel bulge doesn’t happen. But Matt’s eye can see those bulges and dips as you work the metal and you know what tools to employ to get it right. Well done!

[@bucksnort4188]

Very, very nice modification Matt!! This chop has progressed quite nicely! Thank you for all the welding tips!! I will be practicing those tips on my upcoming panel replacement. I hope to see you do more of these type of videos.

[@randomyank7777]

It's your canvas , Matt . The way you worked it , you left yourself room for any changes needed or wanted . The resulting fit & flow is WOW !

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks!

[@Jddvs]

Beautiful and impressive craftsmanship, Matt! This is such an improvement over the original factory design. Love it!

[@biglakehotrods381]

Great job guys. That girl is lookin mighty fine. I love the chop!!!

[@bradeastham5494]

It’s looking great, you’ve done an amazing job. Such a major project not for the faint of heart!👌🏻👍🏻

[@IronTrapGarage]

Appreciate that! It’s been a long process.

[@allanrichards3752]

I think you have done a superb job of this roof. With tacking these panels together you must work accurately with your cutting. I try to go for about a 20thou gap between the panels and then start tacking about every inch. I watch how the panels move and when the gap closes I planish out the tacks to get the gap back. Once I have done that over the length of the weld I go back and do a tack in between so I have a tack about every 1/2 inch and then give these a light planish. If there are any high or low areas or oil canning I sort this out before final welding. If everything is ok I weld the panel. After that I give the weld a light grind and then check for any more distortion or issues. Keeping some weld material can help you with final planishing before grinding and finishing the weld. It looks like you nailed it.

[@IronTrapGarage]

That’s basically how I do it also! Thanks for the kind words!

[@2ecurie101]

You laid that out really well, Richard. Makes it sound easy if one's craft is good.

[@markfehrenbach4204]

I watch all of your videos but watching this whole process was really cool. You can really control pieces of metal and form it into a thi g of beauty. Look forward to the next one. Happy Holidays to everyone at Iron Trap Garage. 👍

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you, we appreciate the support and the kind words!

[@LarryHeagren]

It looks very good. You have shown what you did to attach the finished part on your latest "Day in the Life of" video so we have now seen the total process. This has been a very good series. The car looks much smoother and replacing the metal with the "straight" body line has fixed the only styling flaw the car had. I'm glad you have such high standards. Again thanks for this tech geeky series. It has been fun to watch.

[@murdoc6501]

A-and that is one fabulous roofline! The flow is perfect! This has been awesome to watch, and your explanation of your process is fantastic! I guess all the "nay sayers" ran out of steam and finally agree that the car looks 100% better with the roof "adjustment!" Go Iron Trap, keep moving forward!

[@garagedweller7159]

Patience is a hard thing for me as well. I'm glad you addressed that. I always bull my way through a project and am trying hard to retrain myself to slow down and take a breath.The end results show the difference.

[@larryreece1403]

Really enjoying this series! great video!

[@deanbrunner261]

Hello from Memphis... I'm really glad you kept the original full-size windows front and back..... True master class

[@IronTrapGarage]

Front window is a little shorter than stock but I raised the windshield opening to keep the size proportional

[@2ecurie101]

I came for what I thought would be a quick chop and stayed for lesson after lesson! Good eye, impressive work.

[@IronTrapGarage]

We appreciate you noticing the details!

[@daleking8529]

Great work Matt! Glad you replaced the cat walk because at the end of the day you only have to please yourself!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Absolutely!

[@JONMEREDITH]

DAMN! That roof looks great! Matt-you blow away the factory design! Absolutely great video! Thank you!

[@billtaylor5853]

This has been fascinating to watch. Amazing skills. Really looking forward to seeing what's next for the car,

[@kendavis1198]

Nicely Done Matt!!! Looking GREAT!!!

[@PeteNaysmith]

matt, you do absolutely gorgeous work! nicest chop top i ever seen. proportions and carrying and transitioning the radius below the rear window was a lot of additional work - but the end product make a statement

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you! That was one of the biggest challenges of the job.

[@garyjenkins1789]

Car looks great, what a difference you created👍🏻 1:00

[@TheCrackerBox]

It’s looking damn good ! so glad you decided to chop it. 🪓em up !👍

[@deanehammitt7604]

I'm really enjoying watching this process. Your metal skills are amazing.

[@dougs1692]

Now we see why GOOD chops are so expensive to have done! This is a completely different car now. Great work Matt.

[@ernlevens8523]

Looking great 👍.

[@nickmeoli6903]

Another great video! Awesome job.

[@jeffbayer1287]

Can't wait to see this on the road. Take your time we can wait. Thanks for sharing.

[@Scott-su1wj]

Man o man is that ever nice. Changed the whole look of the car drastically. Super nice work. !

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@matthewschneider2089]

Dude!! It's amazing all that metal work you did with the back glass still in tack!!! It Didn't crack!!! Great job!!!✌️

[@donhoughton271]

Looking great😊

[@laurensmith1828]

Thanks for doing this series , its been great to watch the creative process and all that goes with fabricating such a panel. Ive never seen it done this way but you got my ideas flowing in your direction. Cant wait to see the finished top. Thanks Matt!

[@IronTrapGarage]

It certainly is more labor intensive but it is easier to finish the panel out on the bench than on the car with each weld seam. Lots of ways to accomplish a job; this one worked best for me here.

[@hotrodmyk]

Great job, car is looking killer!

[@russelltrupia4479]

Awesome job Matt the Merc. is looking killer.👍👍

[@lesterreed9948]

Great job on the roof 😊

[@johnkelly6942]

“Entasis” is possibly what you encountered on that body line. The Greek/Roman builders learned in order for the sides of a column shaft to look straight, they had to introduce a slight curve to correct the illusion that a straight side tapered inward in the middle. The brain knows a certain edge is supposed to look straight but the eye sees something else. Having said that, chop looks great!

[@dombutler7685]

I liked the Mercury before but now it's looking amazing, awesome work Matt!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks!

[@brianrhodes237]

Sometimes you have to go backwards to progress, great update and thanks for stopping and showing more of the process.

[@usmclee65]

No one has ever done it the way you did, with the craftsman ship you fif it with, fine job sir ! Happy New Year to you and your crew!

[@andrewslagle1974]

Killer job on the roof chop.The roof panel is awesome ,nice work the car looks great!

[@timothynewkirk2654]

Looks good from here! Ain't nothing a gallon of Bondo won't fix! Happy New Year - - - Matt, Mike, Laughing Steve & Moon ! ...Newk from Kentucky

[@garystrutt2078]

Some quality work happening there guy's. Well done.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Much appreciated

[@wayneheikkila9930]

That is a super adjustment! Very nice work. That top is going to be killer when it is done.

[@matthewbakker8113]

Thats looking great man. Good job.

[@damienhammond6449]

Looks brilliant 😂

[@tonylamotta2544]

Kudos to you, Matt! I wouldn't have had the patience to do this, no matter how badly I wanted it.

[@VintageTinGarage]

You took your time and made some adjustments and the results are great.

[@johnalexander4356]

Looks amazing! I can see every little bit of your work brings it closer to perfection. It sure looks like the OCD serves you well in this case.

[@petercavanaugh6510]

Matt, great job on the roof. I'm wondering about the side window treatment. If I recall correctly, there was a "B" pillar that you removed. So, what is going to be the plan on resolving how the windows are going to made functional, i.e., roll up and down and provide a weather seal for inclement days? I'll be following with interest!

[@IronTrapGarage]

I’m still deciding how I want to do the b-pillars. Once we tackle that part we’ll definitely show it!

[@kodak_jack]

Should be good enough to entered into a show with judges having a look and a score assigned. When this first started, I thought you were going to take off a bad roof and replace it with a good one from a '40 Ford. This is an amazing transformation!

[@jasonsulman8433]

Amazing skills matt well done

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you’

[@davidoutred-l5g]

thanks once a again what a good show looking forward to the next

[@lowthery]

Great job, your skills are first class.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you very much!

[@TrashcanGarage]

The roof it should have had from the factory. 😏 That's looking so sweet. And done all by hand. 🔥🤘

[@alfredbisson9997]

that is just so natural looking , Henry Ford would have approved the work. Great job. I learned to drive my dads 39merc sedan in the 50s.in new england weather.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Very cool!

[@rodsandkustomswithlars]

Thats a killer roof flow! Great job. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelleabeter]

Thats the nicest roof lines if seen pon that model ford it doesn't look like a giant has stepped on the back of the roof top job mate

[@bobwilliams1535]

Impressive results! Looking better all the time. 👍👍

[@jimhartland1939]

Super slick mate. Proud moment for you

[@Dave-1277]

I cant get enough of this build! Fantastic video as always ITG!!!!

[@jimandlinsnow7002]

Very nice. You are very modest about your skill level. The more you do the more of a coach builder you are. Jmho. 😊

[@TheCrackerBox]

Thanks for another , Brother !

[@IronTrapGarage]

Appreciate the support!

[@RMcDuffee55]

Its beautiful! When I watch you tig weld I feel like I should try it.

[@johnbaker7621]

Looking good the lines flow nicely 👏

[@5798Mike]

Great work-killer look

[@barryhickman6911]

PERFECTO! Looks great Matt!

[@bobgaylord8883]

Edsel Ford would be amazed with how much you improved his design !!

[@IronTrapGarage]

I’d hope so!

[@garyhughes9199]

Shoooot ! That is right as rain. That good enough aint good enough attitude, is going to pay off big time.

[@WilliamGross-u3v]

Great job nice metal work assume

[@Matthew-x9d]

Great tutorials on the roof chop boss man. Thanks.

[@albegt98]

very good job man 👍💪

[@MOBAL-k5i]

Looking good!

[@scottwillette172]

Amazing workmanship..

[@kevinspinner5428]

Next level work. Thanks

[@IronTrapGarage]

Much appreciated!

[@RichardHeld-x1c]

That is really cool! Great job !!!!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Appreciate it!

[@garyf2245]

great vid happy new year

[@tonyaxeman4381]

Impressive work .

[@brianbarney1885]

With the top in two pieces it’s time to make it a Skyliner😊. The car gets more beautiful every week.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Haha that would be crazy!

[@lelandrogers1078]

I was skeptical at first, but it looks awesome. Might be my age, but I think it would look great with an external sun visor.

[@richardwirt3193]

It is looking really cool

[@jamesmailly7990]

Looks GREAT !!

[@kurtludwig6962]

Nice Matt 👍

[@Nicks66Service]

I've been following the chop episodes, and got to wondering whether you had a set of ship's curves- they were used to lay out ship blueprints, hence the name, mine have a Kaiser logo. Graphic artists occasionally have them in our bag of tools/tricks - and you have! Well done.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Ah that’s a new term to me! I just always called them radius gauges. Learn something new every day!

[@stevenkarnisky411]

I would have preferred the bead line was just a gentle curve, like on a Ford, but your work is impeccable!

[@rolandtb3]

Even better than before.

[@robertjones1709]

Love the Approach of panel shaping and fitting 👍 one Question? Are you planning an inner structure prior to burning in the roof line? Looking Great so far, nice to have the tools and talent as well as OG studies you mentioned Ron Covel is the Man.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Inner structure? It will have the same inner structure as stock. Just back at the catwalk area.

[@robertjones1709]

@IronTrapGarage I was just thinking as it extended back from that sail panel catwalk area, and just wondering ,maybe you could show it, as you go along.

[@MarkO-u3k]

That’s not how bad Chad would have done it 😂… well done and looking fantastic

[@moneygooddude]

You guys should market some of that Iron Trap coffee? I can't move that fast!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Haha!