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History What Ever Happened to..........?

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by OG lil E, Apr 19, 2016.

  1. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Welcome back. It was posted a few pages back. Scan0079.jpg Scan0086.jpg Scan0082.jpg Scan0081.jpg
     
  2. ....eeek! Good thing I didn't know about that.....I woulda been trying to sweet talk my wife out of our kids college education. ;) Hoping it will get out and about.....Indy? :D
     
  3. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    It still amazes me, that with all the customs ever built, plus with the ones being built. Misty Bluz and the first version of the yellow Merc are still on my list of all time greats.
     
    54delray, Outback, williebill and 3 others like this.
  4. 00 MACK
    Joined: May 10, 2004
    Posts: 3,680

    00 MACK
    Member

    The pink car was a different car from the same builder. I hear he was from the North West
     
  5. 54delray
    Joined: Dec 18, 2004
    Posts: 1,725

    54delray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Fremont NE

    00 Mack, Thanks for that info clearing up the similar Mercs. I know you are a wealth of kustom info, looking forward to more from you. BTW, nice pics in show coverage in Kustoms Illustrated #51.
     
  6. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

  7. BrewtownPrez
    Joined: Oct 17, 2016
    Posts: 92

    BrewtownPrez
    Member

    Misty Blue & Ally Opp were both part of Duke Thompson's (Duke 0f Earl) collection. Sadly Duke pasted away last August.
     
  8. BrewtownPrez
    Joined: Oct 17, 2016
    Posts: 92

    BrewtownPrez
    Member

    Duke had quite a collection of Mercurys and loved Corvettes too. GREAT GUY. Never without his white shirt and a cowboy hat.

    Duke44.jpeg
    . Duke46.jpg
     
  9. chopolds
    Joined: Oct 22, 2001
    Posts: 6,261

    chopolds
    Member
    from howell, nj
    1. Kustom Painters

    Misty Blue is back in Jersey. Elle Chesworth (spelling??) bought it. She previously owned a 54 Plymouth Belmont concept car. Her driver stopped at my buddies house in Toms River to show him the car, and he thought it was one of my builds, so he shot me some pics from his phone. I talked to the driver, and gave him a short version of the car's history, to inform MistyBlue.jpg the owner.
     
  10. BrewtownPrez
    Joined: Oct 17, 2016
    Posts: 92

    BrewtownPrez
    Member

    The pipes were functioning flame throwers. The shield prevented paint damage. They were used.

    HAMB.jpg .
     
  11. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    This pic was taken in 96 or around about. What other customs did he own. Scan0162.jpg
     
  12. BrewtownPrez
    Joined: Oct 17, 2016
    Posts: 92

    BrewtownPrez
    Member

  13. Prez, that link doesn't work.

     
  14. BrewtownPrez
    Joined: Oct 17, 2016
    Posts: 92

    BrewtownPrez
    Member

    Front view of the Buck Owen's Merc. BuckOwens1.jpg
     
  15. BrewtownPrez
    Joined: Oct 17, 2016
    Posts: 92

    BrewtownPrez
    Member

  16. When I click the link you posted I get a "Mail is currently unavailable" notification page.
    I found the video and posted it above.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  17. Did Duke add the flames to the Owens' Merc or was it like that when he got it?
     
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  18. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Here`s the front end shot of the car I posted earlier. Scan0469.jpg
     
  19. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Here is the shot of the Gary (Chop It)Fioto built 51. It was also at the show in 96(?) in Davenport Iowa`s Merc Duce Reunion. Thanks for the info. Scan0470.jpg
     
  20. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 33,820

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member


    Merc Deuce reunion was 1999 in Davenport
     
  21. What Ever Happened To..........? number 85.

    1956 Mercury "Heart and Soul"
    Owner: Clarence Crayton
    Montgomery, Illinois

    This week's W.E.H.T. seems to be another one of those cars that came on the scene and disappeared rather quickly.
    Clarence Crayton put together this nice mild custom '56 Merc in the early 80s. As far as the body goes, it's pretty much stock with the exception of the shaved and louvered hood, shaved trunk and the name "Heart and Soul" that was lettered on the lower front fenders. What the car lacked in custom mods it made up for in detail. The pictures I've seen of the engine show the incredible amount of time and money that went into the engine compartment to make it a real contender at the shows. Top notch stuff! Clarence also seemed to like doo-dads as the trunk was highly detailed, and he liked to hang a car hop tray on the driver's door with fake food to get the total time frame effect.
    According to my research, the car was taken to the '82 Leadsled Spectacular in Des Moines, as well as the '83 Spectacular in Springfield, Ohio. It was also at the Mid Century Mercury Show in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1983.
    As far as videos go, Clarence was interviewed by one of Rowdie's (@49toad) gals at the '83 Spectacular, and it was seen a few other times on the video as well. After that, I couldn't find it on any other video.
    I didn't find much in magazine coverage, but I did find a super two page feature on the Mercury in Custom Cars by Hot Rod volume 1 number 5 from 1983 on pages 58 and 59. Shame it was in black and white, but a great article none-the-less. In the article, it mentioned that at car shows Clarence had "Heart and Soul" playing through speakers set up in his trunk. I've included a video link to the song to help get the 50s vibe for this post like Clarence was trying to do at car shows some 37 years ago! Unfortunately, that lone article was all I could find on this Merc in my library.
    I did manage to find a small group of great pictures. The first few came from @Rikster's site and were taken by our own @drdave at the '83 Mid Century Mercury Show, including a super shot of the engine compartment. It's a very small image but I hope it's large enough to see the great detail. The other two pictures I found on the Custom Rodder website by an unknown photographer. Another pair of nice pictures, but it's really too bad that all the pictures I came across have the hood and trunk open. I understand about show points and all that, but it's hard to get the sweet lines and profile of a custom with everything wide open.
    I guess all we get this week is a really small sample size of this great sled as my research didn't turn up a whole lot. After '83 the car faded away--at least in this version. Maybe it was re-done or sold or something, but let's all hope it's still out there.
    Until next time, see you around! E

    Clarence Crayton 56 Merc a Drd 83 Mcm Show.jpg

    Clarence Crayton 56 Merc b Drd 83 Mcm Show.jpg

    Clarence Crayton 56 Merc c C.R..jpg

    Clarence Crayton 56 Merc d C.R..jpg

     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2018
  22. Wonder why the engine pic is so small. No matter, I know the guy that has the original pic. Maybe he can post it tomorrow when he gets to work. [emoji6]

    I still remember seeing that engine and thinking, “wow! I’d like to have a detailed motor like that one day.” Maybe it’s where my love of all things finned aluminum and chrome came from. [emoji16]


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
  23. 54delray
    Joined: Dec 18, 2004
    Posts: 1,725

    54delray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Fremont NE

    01162017_0007.jpg Lil' E Not that I've seen it since, but here it is one year later than your records, at the '84 Spectacular in Des Moines.
     
  24. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Pictures don`t do this car justice. You have to see it in person. I have no idea why I don`t have a picture of this car. A local here in town built a 55 Merc after seeing this car in Des Moines in 82. He later moved to Georgia and sold the car. I did find a pic of Clarence in Classic And Custom. I have a soft spot for 55-56 Mercs, and Heart and Soul is at the top of the list. Thanks for the video link. Scan0456.jpg Scan0471.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  25. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 33,820

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member


    I think he won that lowering block best mill trophy in 1983 at the springfield show.... I bought that same trophy (best mill 1983) on ebay about 20 years ago. Why in the hell would anyone ever get rid of one of those bitchin trophies?? I will post a pic of it when I get home from work today
     
  26. And if that IS indeed "Heart n Soul", now you know what it looks like all closed up.
     

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