It’s a cold day in PA. I woke up and put on my iron trap hoodie and now I get to watch one of the most iconic hot rod/custom modifications. Chopping a top. I don’t see why people would be upset by this. Some cars were designed with a roof that is too tall. This is definitely one of them and it’s going to look killer when it’s done! Also these are the kind of detailed videos I like to see. There is a lot of skill involved in doing this type of chop. These guys are going to make this into a sweet ride.
I can’t help but laugh Matt how you dance around topics that some people might hate and upset with that smirk on your face knowing that it will. Can’t wait to see it completed.
Clearly taking the time to prep the car and lay everything out make the process much smoother. At the end of the day, you saved the 39 from being lost to time and the mice damage was quite extensive. So, correcting the roof height was a good solution. Keep up the good work.
I've been waiting to see you do a chop for years now, (at least I can't remember one, my memory is fading), will be great to see the whole process. Love as Always, Reading England.
It is not a restored classics channel, but a resurrection of forgotten classics into customs. Better than rotting away or crushed. Mind you, i would have done this to the swamp Merc as it was not feasible to take it to original but rather, a blank canvas.
The chop (if nicely done) probably does more than anything to insure the long term survival of this car. I think there will come a time when almost nobody will be interested in a completely stock 1939 Mercury but there will always be a group with an eye towards customization, regardless of the generation or time.
I'm stoked about this! Way back when... when I started following you... you were doing more of this kind of work. And I LOVED learning from you. I still have been learning from you all along, but this kind of "crazy" custom work was what hooked me. Can't WAIT to see the whole process, and the finished product!!
Hey guys, I agree with what your doing, the roof was in bad shape you made an easy decision to chop it. Can't wait for the rest of the build to be done. Enjoyed the video....Ralph
One of the few times we get to see Matt with a MIG welder in his hands. Good to see Matt, love the confidence to tackle a job like this, looking forward to the end result.
That was a nice original Merc to start with. But dang, those things needed a chop right out of the factory. You're doing what it's always needed. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. 😎
Viewers..you must have in your mind how this is going to turn out when finished. Matt knows enough as to what he wants and how to do it. Have faith..job will turn out to be just find...stay tuned and give a thumb up on support. 😊
What a great build so far. Loved every single second. I love when people get mad when people modify their cars to what they wanted not what the general populous wanted. Keep on chopping Iron Trap guys!
I absolutely LOVE the 33 3 window! Especially like watching the videos of you working on it! Can’t wait to see it on the road! When I was growing up in Lakewood, CO, a guy up the street had a chopped 33 with full fenders, painted Ford metallic blue and huge Firestone tires out back. It was a gem and I enjoyed seeing it run up and down our street.
I love watching your videos! I applaud your work resurrecting vintage, neglected hot rods and keeping them period correct as possible. If I was to build or buy a hot rod, that exactly what I’d do. And you drive them! No high dollar trailer queens! Keep up the great work and I’ll keep watching.
Brings back the memories of my first chop on 40 COOP in '79. Sitting in the car with the roof tacked back on, my wife said my grin was as wide as the windshield. Go guys!
I like where you are going with the roofline. I know that it would require a good bit more labor but, I would love to see you shape the center post like the curved one in the photo that you showed . It flows so nicely with the new roofline and body shape.
Really enjoy that you didn’t time lapse all the cuts. I think showing how tedious they are even with the correct tool for the job will save quite a few cars from being cut up and never getting back together. Building customs is not for people in a hurry lol
No you well not lose me over this chop ! Been watching our guy Bad Chad in Nova Scotia Canada chopping older vehicles! He's got a nice 34 Ford right know he's trying to get running! Not sure if he well keep it original.
It would be neat to turn this car into a hardtop. I can imagine how cool it would look. However getting the window regulators and windows to seat properly would be a challenge. It will be more straight forward to keep the door post as that presents less problems. I concur that building the car as an old custom is the way to go. It will look like an old Barris Custom and that is cool in my book. I'm hanging around as I enjoy watching projects like these unfold. You have encouraged me to watch this cars development with this modification.
Yes!🤘after I saw the yellow tape in one of the or videos (day in the life maybe), I was hoping for a chop!! Lately the channel has been getting hot rods and speed equipment back on the road, which makes a super cool, but like to see the process of how these hot rods were made too and it’s better than just letting the rust take over. Cheers I’ll be watching!
I think this is cool. I have never chopped a car before. I am always looking around for some crap 30-40;s to practice on for the first chop car. I am always amazed at how laid back a shop is when they take the top off. Kind of a wild thing. Love it...I have to finish a few cars to chop one, but soon very soon.
That looked easy enough! 😏 Nice work. edit: your joke at the end got me. The roof on my 53 Packard 2dr ht literally bolts to the top of the windshield frame and sail panel. I want to chop it but it's going to require some re-engineering to make it right.
I was shocked when you tossed that sail panel! I’ve only watched Bad Chad chops, and he would save that for another project (maybe you did?). Did you say it’s your first chop?!? You laid it out and cut it with great confidence 👻. I’m mystified where you are going with this, can’t wait!
This isn’t my first chop. First time chopping a 39/40 Mercury. I make new panels that have the correct shape rather than trying to fit pieces from other cars in. Realistically no two panels are the same and maybe with enough clamps and body English you can force a panel to fit enough to tack weld it back together.. but it doesn’t mean it’s the right shape.
I think this is a great project you have taken on. To me, the 39-40 Merc tops look almost like an afterthought. I like the comparison to the Barris car you referred to. Anything near that, which I feel you are very capable of doing, will be extremely cool. This will be exciting to follow along!
Nice work 👍😄 love the evil laugh from Steve as the top came off . Believe it or not when I chopped for my car I had a guy come up to me and tell me I should put it back to normal height you gotta love them nut polisher
When you first drug this home and said that you were going to chop it I thought "oh no, not a nice survivor like this". However, when I got a good look at the side profile I thought "man, that roof is way too high". It will look a lot better when that top comes down some. Built back when men wore tall hats. I'm really looking forward to this project and seeing just how much work (trouble) it is. And just so no one takes this the wrong way, I'm a true believer in "it's your car, do what you want with it".
Cures the roof transition to the trunk on these cars. I would of left a 1/2 inch more in the front and cut the rear the same as planned. But that is just me. Awesome build 👍👍👍
I was told by an owner of a 40 Merc that they used 38 Ford tops on the 39-40 Mercs. Rather than retool for the tops because they didnt know how the Mercs were going to sell. (Dont know if its true). Great work. It looks like you have a good plan.
It takes a man with great big hairy gonads to cut one. It's going to look amazing Matt! Looking forward to all the future progress! Keep doing that thing you do young man, personally, I'm loving it!
This is awesome thanks Matt for taking us on this Chop Top Journey with you really awesome I've never done one I've seen a few done but this is awesome thanks a lot oh I was going to also say hey Mike how do you like being at the main shop all the time now or did you like it better over at the warehouse
I reckon that straight up and down B pillar is what looks wrong, on these coupes. Anything you guys do to change that will be a vast improvement. Go for it!
Matt and Company, The work you'all are doing on the Mouse House Merc and the mousey goodness you keep finding is reminding me of the Myth Busters episode from way back when they put a couple of dead pigs in a car, in a conex, for months and then tried to bust the myth that one could not get the smell of a dead body out of a car good enough to still sell it. IIRC, the outcome was sort of yes, sort of no. They went to great lengths to clean the car, including gutting the interior, like you have here, and while they were able to sell the vehicle, they basically sold it for parts and the buyer did ask about the smell, but his intentions were to part out the car. Best of luck to you getting the mousey smell out. I'm confident you will.
ITG, as with any project of this difficulty, Matt has a plan! 4.5 inches, that's a lot! I'm considering chopping the top on my 31 Ford Coupe, don't know if I should finish the rest of the car first, or do it now?
That picture of the Bizzarro car looks like it could have been taken in the driveway at your shop. The buidling in the background reminds me of the one that you'rre next to, kinda. Would be kinda cool to do a sort off tribute pic when this is all done.
To me a 39 Merc has always looked like a 39 Deluxe that had been left out in the sun too long & started to melt & the coupe roof was an afterthought on Friday afternoon. It's also the only model that has a one piece driveshaft & pinion that is 7ft long! What the hell were they thinking!
@@IronTrapGarage 39 Merc was the only time this was used, it's a really odd duck! You just shipped me a torque tube cup for this thing, it's going under a Model A chassis with a Chevy 3 speed O/D trans on a 224" Mercruiser 4 banger & a 26 T coupster body.
As soon as the body was "relieved" of the roof the car started looking 100% better! Yeah, a Carson Top would be bitchin', but chop is the way to go (always loved the Matranga Merc)! Stock Merc roofs are ugly (eight head not a forehead!) and awkward and deserve a bit of "re-design!" Loving this build and looking forward to you walk us through your process! If you lost a couple subscribers don't worry, you're going to gain a bunch of new ones with this build series! Go Iron Trap, keep moving forward!
Hotrod Heathens! How dare you wreck another beautiful car!.... Oh yeah, I'm watching a hot rod building show what am I thinking. Way to go, Matt! I look forward to seeing the progress on the crime scene Merc.
So glad to see you doing some extensive work like this! It's been a while.
It’s a cold day in PA. I woke up and put on my iron trap hoodie and now I get to watch one of the most iconic hot rod/custom modifications. Chopping a top. I don’t see why people would be upset by this. Some cars were designed with a roof that is too tall. This is definitely one of them and it’s going to look killer when it’s done! Also these are the kind of detailed videos I like to see. There is a lot of skill involved in doing this type of chop. These guys are going to make this into a sweet ride.
I agree 100%. The roof line just doesn't blend well with the body and shows an odd profile.
A sweeter ride , & sleeker looking for sure .
Thanks! Stay tuned!
The crime scene deal is hilarious 😂 Steve strikes again 😎
I can’t help but laugh Matt how you dance around topics that some people might hate and upset with that smirk on your face knowing that it will. Can’t wait to see it completed.
Mike Bellos customs does a great job on them lot of good guys out there you will be fine good show!
It's nice seeing a big project again, can't wait to see how you put it back together. That's a beautiful car that I'm sure will turn out awesome.
Clearly taking the time to prep the car and lay everything out make the process much smoother. At the end of the day, you saved the 39 from being lost to time and the mice damage was quite extensive. So, correcting the roof height was a good solution. Keep up the good work.
That's one way to take care of the mouse damage.
Thanks for taking us along for the transformation!...👍
I've been waiting to see you do a chop for years now, (at least I can't remember one, my memory is fading), will be great to see the whole process.
Love as Always, Reading England.
It is not a restored classics channel, but a resurrection of forgotten classics into customs. Better than rotting away or crushed. Mind you, i would have done this to the swamp Merc as it was not feasible to take it to original but rather, a blank canvas.
The chop (if nicely done) probably does more than anything to insure the long term survival of this car. I think there will come a time when almost nobody will be interested in a completely stock 1939 Mercury but there will always be a group with an eye towards customization, regardless of the generation or time.
Totally agree!
There is something to be desired in the original roof.
Your car, do it!!!
It just blows me away what you guys tackle , with confidence . Keep up the great content.Like it or not shows every car still has life.
Thanks for watching!
You should invest in a couple of welding blankets Matt,perfect to cover painted areas when grinding.
Every car can be improved upon in its own way, can’t wait to watch the transformation.
I'm stoked about this! Way back when... when I started following you... you were doing more of this kind of work. And I LOVED learning from you. I still have been learning from you all along, but this kind of "crazy" custom work was what hooked me.
Can't WAIT to see the whole process, and the finished product!!
Thanks! I definitely enjoy this type of work and am trying to get back to doing more of it now that we are past renovating and building.
Great video Matt 👍 this is a great modification and great tips 😎
Hey guys, I agree with what your doing, the roof was in bad shape you made an easy decision to chop it. Can't wait for the rest of the build to be done. Enjoyed the video....Ralph
This is the kind of stuff I enjoy watching! True craftsmanship.
Thanks for watching
Long awaited adjustments!!! Going to be great!
One of the few times we get to see Matt with a MIG welder in his hands. Good to see Matt, love the confidence to tackle a job like this, looking forward to the end result.
Cover the dashboard from all the sparks
That was a nice original Merc to start with. But dang, those things needed a chop right out of the factory. You're doing what it's always needed. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. 😎
After seeing this chop in person. All I can say is that it’s perfect.😊
It’s got a long way to go to decide yet but thank you Jim!
No doubt this adds value to this car in my opinion looking forward to the next installment
Agreed!
Artistry! Totally right about the way they got the roof wrong on the Merc. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Ruined? No way.
Viewers..you must have in your mind how this is going to turn out when finished. Matt
knows enough as to what he wants and how to do it. Have faith..job will turn out to
be just find...stay tuned and give a thumb up on support. 😊
We appreciate your support!
What a great build so far. Loved every single second. I love when people get mad when people modify their cars to what they wanted not what the general populous wanted. Keep on chopping Iron Trap guys!
I absolutely LOVE the 33 3 window! Especially like watching the videos of you working on it! Can’t wait to see it on the road! When I was growing up in Lakewood, CO, a guy up the street had a chopped 33 with full fenders, painted Ford metallic blue and huge Firestone tires out back. It was a gem and I enjoyed seeing it run up and down our street.
I love watching your videos! I applaud your work resurrecting vintage, neglected hot rods and keeping them period correct as possible. If I was to build or buy a hot rod, that exactly what I’d do. And you drive them! No high dollar trailer queens! Keep up the great work and I’ll keep watching.
We’re glad you appreciate the effort we put into keeping these cars period-correct!
Brings back the memories of my first chop on 40 COOP in '79. Sitting in the car with the roof tacked back on, my wife said my grin was as wide as the windshield. Go guys!
Haha it’s always a monumental occasion
I like where you are going with the roofline. I know that it would require a good bit more labor but, I would love to see you shape the center post like the curved one in the photo that you showed . It flows so nicely with the new roofline and body shape.
I knew this would be called the Mangled Merc!
Little brother to the Ruined Roadster!
Really enjoy that you didn’t time lapse all the cuts. I think showing how tedious they are even with the correct tool for the job will save quite a few cars from being cut up and never getting back together. Building customs is not for people in a hurry lol
Even though TV and UA-cam has glorified chopping cars in a day or two.. it is something that you should take your time and think through every step
Ain’t NO turning back now! This will be a fun series of vids to watch.
Love it, Kustom all the way !
Good one, Steve!
"Fully wrecked and ruined another car!" Lol! Sweet job!! You are doing amazing and beautiful work on these cars!
NEEDED TO BE DONE. ALL THE BEST WITH THAT
Super big balls !!!
Looking forward to this project in a big way.
Love it. Brings back memories of doing my shoe box.
No you well not lose me over this chop ! Been watching our guy Bad Chad in Nova Scotia Canada chopping older vehicles! He's got a nice 34 Ford right know he's trying to get running! Not sure if he well keep it original.
The project ive been waiting on cant wait to see the progess
I like where the car is headed on the chop
That will show those mice who is in charge!
Good show. those cars look so cool choped.Keep on Cutting😎👍
Awsum job. Going to look really good when finished.👍
Thanks 👍
looks cool as a convertible lol i would be really nervous cutting up my car .looks like your committed now can' wait for next video
Like Steve's sign on the tape.
It would be neat to turn this car into a hardtop. I can imagine how cool it would look. However getting the window regulators and windows to seat properly would be a challenge. It will be more straight forward to keep the door post as that presents less problems. I concur that building the car as an old custom is the way to go. It will look like an old Barris Custom and that is cool in my book. I'm hanging around as I enjoy watching projects like these unfold. You have encouraged me to watch this cars development with this modification.
@@LarryHeagren Just hope this radical hack doesn't turn into a Bad Chad unusable hack job.
It would be a lot of work to get it right!
Always great content!
I appreciate that!
I love this build!! keep it up!
Wow, huge project Matt!
Your art style is amazing, this car will be sweet!
Thanks stay tuned!
In the podcast, Mike said, "we always wear our safety glasses." His is made of elbow! Seriously, this car will look amazing.
Yes!🤘after I saw the yellow tape in one of the or videos (day in the life maybe), I was hoping for a chop!! Lately the channel has been getting hot rods and speed equipment back on the road, which makes a super cool, but like to see the process of how these hot rods were made too and it’s better than just letting the rust take over. Cheers I’ll be watching!
Glad you're enjoying the journey!
I think this is cool. I have never chopped a car before. I am always looking around for some crap 30-40;s to practice on for the first chop car. I am always amazed at how laid back a shop is when they take the top off. Kind of a wild thing. Love it...I have to finish a few cars to chop one, but soon very soon.
Oh no it’s ruined!
I love it! Can’t wait to see it come together!!!
Great job, thanks !
That looked easy enough! 😏 Nice work.
edit: your joke at the end got me. The roof on my 53 Packard 2dr ht literally bolts to the top of the windshield frame and sail panel. I want to chop it but it's going to require some re-engineering to make it right.
Great can`t wait to see the rest
Punks hang on street corners. The Real tough Guys Build/Repair things.
Nuff said
That is going to be one cool looking Merc!!!
I was shocked when you tossed that sail panel! I’ve only watched Bad Chad chops, and he would save that for another project (maybe you did?). Did you say it’s your first chop?!? You laid it out and cut it with great confidence 👻. I’m mystified where you are going with this, can’t wait!
This isn’t my first chop. First time chopping a 39/40 Mercury. I make new panels that have the correct shape rather than trying to fit pieces from other cars in. Realistically no two panels are the same and maybe with enough clamps and body English you can force a panel to fit enough to tack weld it back together.. but it doesn’t mean it’s the right shape.
@@IronTrapGarage I kinda wondered about that because you sure went about in a purposeful wauy lol! Should be a good one!
You're a brave man Gungadin.
stressful and exciting at the same time ! glad to see the future of hot rodding is in good hands! us old timers watching approve this video!
Thanks!
A lot of work but well worth it 🛠🛠👍🏼👍🏼
We’re excited to be taking it on!
I think this is a great project you have taken on. To me, the 39-40 Merc tops look almost like an afterthought. I like the comparison to the Barris car you referred to. Anything near that, which I feel you are very capable of doing, will be extremely cool. This will be exciting to follow along!
Appreciate the support!
Nice work 👍😄 love the evil laugh from Steve as the top came off . Believe it or not when I chopped for my car I had a guy come up to me and tell me I should put it back to normal height you gotta love them nut polisher
When you first drug this home and said that you were going to chop it I thought "oh no, not a nice survivor like this". However, when I got a good look at the side profile
I thought "man, that roof is way too high". It will look a lot better when that top comes down some. Built back when men wore tall hats. I'm really looking forward to this project
and seeing just how much work (trouble) it is.
And just so no one takes this the wrong way, I'm a true believer in "it's your car, do what you want with it".
Yeah the roof was way too high! Thanks for watching
Cures the roof transition to the trunk on these cars. I would of left a 1/2 inch more in the front and cut the rear the same as planned. But that is just me. Awesome build 👍👍👍
I was told by an owner of a 40 Merc that they used 38 Ford tops on the 39-40 Mercs. Rather than retool for the tops because they didnt know how the Mercs were going to sell. (Dont know if its true). Great work. It looks like you have a good plan.
Not correct. Look at the roof of a 38 ford coupe and a Mercury and you’ll see they’re totally different.
Nice one Matt!
im in for the finish cool vid
Been waiting for this
I love Ingersoll Rand
Love your work, gentlemen! Keep killing it!
Thanks for watching!
It takes a man with great big hairy gonads to cut one. It's going to look amazing Matt! Looking forward to all the future progress! Keep doing that thing you do young man, personally, I'm loving it!
Thanks Barry!
Looking good with your first chop
This is awesome thanks Matt for taking us on this Chop Top Journey with you really awesome I've never done one I've seen a few done but this is awesome thanks a lot oh I was going to also say hey Mike how do you like being at the main shop all the time now or did you like it better over at the warehouse
You put a lot of thought into this project. I liked the Merc the way it was, however I still want to see the finished product.
Very Nice Start
Been waiting to see you do a chop!
Great work guys!!
Thank you!
I reckon that straight up and down B pillar is what looks wrong, on these coupes. Anything you guys do to change that
will be a vast improvement. Go for it!
Add chrome window channels like they did in the 50's, and make it a hardtop!!
Going to look cool, the way a merc. Should.
thanks guys1
thats what that car needed
I would be terrified of making that very first cut😂
Matt and Company, The work you'all are doing on the Mouse House Merc and the mousey goodness you keep finding is reminding me of the Myth Busters episode from way back when they put a couple of dead pigs in a car, in a conex, for months and then tried to bust the myth that one could not get the smell of a dead body out of a car good enough to still sell it. IIRC, the outcome was sort of yes, sort of no. They went to great lengths to clean the car, including gutting the interior, like you have here, and while they were able to sell the vehicle, they basically sold it for parts and the buyer did ask about the smell, but his intentions were to part out the car. Best of luck to you getting the mousey smell out. I'm confident you will.
ITG, as with any project of this difficulty, Matt has a plan!
4.5 inches, that's a lot! I'm considering chopping the top on my 31 Ford Coupe, don't know if I should finish the rest of the car first, or do it now?
Cool beans I like it
It would be nice to see before and after pictures when completed.
We definitely took some!
That picture of the Bizzarro car looks like it could have been taken in the driveway at your shop. The buidling in the background reminds me of the one that you'rre next to, kinda. Would be kinda cool to do a sort off tribute pic when this is all done.
Thank God good move
To me a 39 Merc has always looked like a 39 Deluxe that had been left out in the sun too long & started to melt & the coupe roof was an afterthought on Friday afternoon. It's also the only model that has a one piece driveshaft & pinion that is 7ft long! What the hell were they thinking!
That driveshaft puzzles me too
@@IronTrapGarage 39 Merc was the only time this was used, it's a really odd duck! You just shipped me a torque tube cup for this thing, it's going under a Model A chassis with a Chevy 3 speed O/D trans on a 224" Mercruiser 4 banger & a 26 T coupster body.
See the modified concept look you are aiming for. Mark, chop, fit.
Been waiting year for you to do a custom!
The 38 convertible is also a custom!
It's going to look great! Kinda like the guy that fell off a 20 story building and he was heard to say as he passed the 10th floor "so far so good"
As soon as the body was "relieved" of the roof the car started looking 100% better! Yeah, a Carson Top would be bitchin', but chop is the way to go (always loved the Matranga Merc)! Stock Merc roofs are ugly (eight head not a forehead!) and awkward and deserve a bit of "re-design!" Loving this build and looking forward to you walk us through your process! If you lost a couple subscribers don't worry, you're going to gain a bunch of new ones with this build series! Go Iron Trap, keep moving forward!
I agree ! With all of that !
We’re excited to get into it too!
Hotrod Heathens! How dare you wreck another beautiful car!.... Oh yeah, I'm watching a hot rod building show what am I thinking. Way to go, Matt! I look forward to seeing the progress on the crime scene Merc.
Ha!