History The Astorian 55 Chev

The missus gives it her approval, and she "don't like cars". I really dig the canted quads, and the fact that you drive it.

 

It was great to see the Astorian by the A bros.
I recently posted to find and locate the current owner of a Full Custom 56 Ford, built in my Shop A&M Automotive in 1963. When shown in Philadelphia ISCA Show, I was contacted by Mike Alexander as they were looking form metal and lead craftsmen to add to the new shop they were building. I spent a few weeks with them working on the 64 Ford Caravan Custom Car, the Alexis. I, unfortuneately did not take the jobe because of family ties in Youngstown, Oh. In 1969 Detroit took their shop for the freeway, closing them down.
I lost contact with them for years, but in 1998 I met with both at the Cobo Hall Autorama. We agaimet each year at Cobo.
A few years ago, Glenmore Country Club Invitational Car Show brough in Barris. Along with him was the Hirohata Merc, Rod and Custom Dream Truck. Also shown was the Astorian55 Chevy and the Polynesian sectioned 50 OldsThat was the first time I had seen the Astorian. There was a remarkable difference in the workmanship, Mike and Larry were extremely particular.
A little hint, Mike and Larry never lowered a custom until all the lead work was finished. While we were working on the Alexis, Larry was on the left side and I was on the right side. He carried two 50 pound boxes of lead, one on each shoulder. He dropped one on his side and one on mine.His comments were, who ever gets to the middle first gets the free beer. In answer to a lot of lead, he would say thats alot beter than a whole lot of bondo. There was no bondo in their shop.

Have fun everyone.

 

Such terrific proportions on that car! Especially the way the wheel openings complement one another.

 

There jus isn't a bad angle on that car. Super that you take your toys out often. Kinda like Leno, on a smaller scale.

 

Very nice Mark.

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Thanks so much for picking us up from the Minnetonka diner in the Astorian ,that was very special. And too for taking the time to share your superb collection of treasures with the Kiwis. The home made Root beer and onion rings at the Minnetonka diner were great. Thanks for the hospitality Mark.

 

Ruler

 

This is one beautiful custom. One of the top 5 tri five customs in my book.

 

I love the fact that you drive your stuff, cool to see it.


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Moriarity great score. My drivers ed car was a 55 post, 265, 3 on the tree, dual controls, (1) steering wheel of course. Some one else here said they are a ****er for canted quads as am I. Excuse me for treading on your parade, with this fourty, but just another great example of canted quads.

 

...........Although not much smaller!

 

So I zoomed in and read the oil pressure gauge, 50 PSI @ 2000RPM.
Temp normal and 1/2 a tank of gas. Sunshine and cruisin', looks like a good day!
Then it struck me. Wait a minute! That's '56 Bel Air dash trim. '55 had the little bow tie pattern. Guessing the pic wasn't taken with the chrome rotary phone...

 

Always liked the taillight's on that car

 

I've been going through my magazine collection the last few month's . Every evening I look through 5 or 6 mags . Last night I run across this article that I thought might interest you. Bill

 

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