I would'nt want it, but I totaly respect the history of the car and the control he has to keep it that way. I would have already changed it to make it more pleasing to the eye.
i like it!! if it was a little lower would look way better.. its elmatadorish, and wild.. i know its a little awkward looking, but i think if it pulled into a show and you saw it person you would feeel differant..
I agree that car has a face only a mother/builder could love. The proportions and lines are all wrong. Ryan, Not trying to start shit, just curious...If you snatched that car up today for stupid cheap what would you do with it? So if you moved into The Sistine Chapel would you hang posters over the "fat" chicks? Once again I don't particularly like the car, but I would love to own and drive a piece of history.
What's wrong with "fat" chicks? That's why I am glad I don't own something like that. Like I said I totaly appreciate the history ,but I just don't think I could restrain myself from changing at least the front end. Just my opinion though.
About the time of the show success of the El Matador, several people tried to suplicate that success. They went to some of the top names and told what they wanted. Barris came out with the "El Popo", and Wilhelm built this one for a customer. These cars were built for customers. They were built to compete against Cushenbery and his styling success. The comments about beer drinking, lead and paint fumes, are just assinine. As RodP said, Joe Wilhelm was a great guy and a true craftsman. RodP actually knew the man, so he can comment intelligently.
I think the thing that I don't like about it is that the proportions are just weird. Too short body, too tall roof is one thing that really stands out...
I love me some rubenesque women. My Dad allways told me "any port in a storm". I think I would leave it alone and grow to love it.
I'm glad to see it being restored, it's a part of custom history, even if it was an era that nearly made customs extinct. I think there's probably more to be learned by this car than most, even if it is just what not to do. But if I had it, I couldn't bring myself to restore it and drive it, frankly, I'd be ashamed to be seen it, but I'm glad someone else is doing it.
That is the worst argument ever. If you go to a restaurant and your steak tastes like Alpo would you complain or keep it to yourself because you arent a Chef and couldnt cook one any better?
I remember that car well from the magazines of my youth. The car is what it is, a slice of time. There were a lot of early Fords customized in that era with quads and different grills, euro styling cues were very popular. This one still gets my respect for several reason, the styling, while maybe not everyones cup of tea is pretty well thought out and the workmanship seems to be very well done. The Matador was mentioned and I remember a heavily sectioned 39/40 tudor that was around about the same time. Glad it survived and is being preserved. History and tradition are not always all good or all bad. It just is. Thanks for sharing the pics and story.
I like the engine turned panel but the shifter reminds me of those things they used to measure feet with in shoe stores when I was a kid. Dial in the middle looks like my ovens timer. The car is ugly as hell by todays standards but I bet it was the tits back in the day. I hope the owner lightly restores it and shows it. I can tell you this, if it was at a show I'd be checking it out with my back turned to someones nicely done tri 5 chevy.
Why? How many OLD lead, body and paint guys do you know? That crap really screws with the brain, am I wrong? No. Hence, some of the custom creations of the day were influenced by those factors, like it or not. The builder might have been the nicest guy in town in the day, but... That changes nothing to the fact the car is butt-ugly, but butt-ugly in a sorta likable way. For example, the dash in this car is cool as hell. Even the front end work, which many here have commented is fugly, is also pretty cool. The taillight is friggin' killer! It's the car as a whole that just reeks. The car IS history, and should be preserved, in any case. If that upsets you, oh, well.
Bill Hines Gene Winfield Larry Watson George Barris etc to name but a few, Chicken Little I love the pictures from back in the day of guys painting sans face masks..lacquer gets you HIGH...
I remember staring at that car in Car Craft Magazine as a little kid think ing it was an El Matador rip off.... it is kind of neat.. I also remember seeing it in a book sitting up on blocks in a shop and the engine had been stolen out of it..... I think its kick ass.
That car is actually pretty cool I've been staring at it Riksters Fotki album for the past 15 minutes, the more you look the more it grows on you...Some of the amazing bodywork hides it's flaws...Yeah the tops to high...but look at that ass end....the front end really gets my head spinnin'...I wasn't around in the times of the "full customs" like that, but I've learned to appreciate them...Little piece of history that if you take out of the whole custom car world could possibly screw some stuff up...Glad to hear it's being restored to it's old glory, hopefully more people will grow to appreciate it and enjoy it, It sure is different from today's show cars.
Growing up in SJ as a boy 1955- 1965 I use too chase down all the custom car builders in my neighbor hood. My Dad drove a 51 merc he bought from Bishop Chevrolet. He then lowerd and shave it. All the really cool cars were at the big Orange and Spives drivends. I hope Joe didn't start with a cherry '36 ford
Growing up in SJ as a boy 1955- 1965 I use too chase down all the custom car builders in my neighbor hood. My Dad drove a 51 merc he bought from Bishop Chevrolet. He then lowerd and shave it. All the really cool cars were at the big Orange and Spives drivends. I hope Joe didn't start with a cherry '36 ford
Like it or not,it's part of the "history" of "custom cars". Remember though,"Beauty is only a light switch away" for the ugly girls. LOL
Would appreciate it if the current owner of the Wilhelm '36 would contact me.I was a good friend and customer of Wilhelm's and was around his shop when the '36 was built. Jerry Nielsen jnielsen2@dc.rr.com 760-409-6296
Does anyone know how to contact current owner-I.E. Name,Email address,Phone #. Any assistance is appreciated.
Hi Jerry , The current owner of the Mark Mist is our estimator at our Hot Rod shop in Livermore Ca, we have been watching this blog and find it interesting too say the least. I will post pics of the car in it's current state . Thanks for the interest as history goes on !
Thank you Rod...exactly what I wanted to say but it wouldn't have come out that way. Joe was a true gentleman, certainly one of the nicest I have run into. You and I met once, at Springfield Ohio Leadsled '84 I believe. I'm the t-shirt artist, Lee's friend who painted his Nomad. Does anyone have any photos of Joe's Wild Dream Roadster? I think everyone on here would highly approve of it, which really was his signature car. A very original, clever car. It even tied for the AMBR award at the Oakland Roadster Show one year.
Imagine this, a west coast car that doesnt look good in most minds!!!!! I however like it and can see where he was going with it.
Its ugly as hell but kinda like fat chicks and mopeds, you don't mind the ride, but you never want your buddies to know.......In all honesty It has some really cool features, but damn some super ugly ones as well. I kinda like the dash and interior. will
Glad I "Mist" it. Some guys wet themselves every time an old custom shows up. Ugly is as timeless as beauty.
Chicken Little, huh? WTF do YOU know? Apparently, you neglected to read the rest of my comments on the car, but hey? It's ugly, and it has a new owner. Everyone that matters is happy.
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