And when the car was restored it was decided the top needed a chop. So the chopped top is all new. The car in the 60's was unchopped.
------------------------------------------------------------------ Auctioned off that day. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Rod,I was at your shop when you were building this Harry Bradley designed 41 Ford. I started to tell you a story that Barry Mazza had told me about George Barris and the Aztec.Like a true friend,you said if there was anything negtive about George you wish not to hear it. I didn't think it did,but change the subject. I've always repected you for that.
This thread is amazing! Thanks to all that have contributed so far. I wish I had more original pictures to contribute with. The ones I'm posting below was bought from ebay, and they shows a very mildly customized 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. The car is a fourdoor with california plates. Anyone here have any more info on the car? I also noticed that I have bought a couple of the pictures that Rik has posted, so I will add them on in higher resolution when I get them
It almost sickens me that the thousands of photographs in the Ray Soff collection are not available for H.A.M.B. members.Rik would pass out.
Sorry twochops, I know it is a little too stock that's why I haven't posted it before. But I justed wanted to contribute with what I currently had
-------------------------------------------------- oomack--- traded with Ray for many years tell what you want I'll post the photos if you ad the words TwoChops
Yes please. I'm ready to pass out!!! I wish that some of the collections I know of would be open for the public. I know a guy who has progress photos of the Hirohata Merc when it was built at Barris, or at least he claims he has them I have never seen them... But those would fit in this thread perfectly. The more we can share now... the better the custom car history can be told, and saved for future generations!
This is only a test. ---------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Maybe 00mack was ad some information. TwoChops
I think thats a '57 2 dr. The other one was a '58? 4dr. Thats really cool lookin though. Especially the paint.
This car was actually pretty well known from the cover of Rodding and Re-styling in 56. Its was a 51 Ford convert owned by John Lunga, built by Highland Auto Body which was in the Irvington N.J. area. Highland also built droves of other awesome customs, alot of which were on the cover of Rodding and Restyling. Ill bet my left arm that the same day Ray sent you that rear shot, he also sent pics of a chopped 46 Merc convert(Highland), a black chopped 56 Olds with a cantalever roof(A=A Auto body) and the pics of the Antonelli car(Cove Custom) before and after the wreck. For some reason Ray always loved giving that batch of pics out(and some others) and because of you and Barry ,they ended up on Riks! AWESOME! Oh and dont think Im a psychic because I knew what was in that batch of pics!LOL He also sent ya a few pics ofthe Maxie King 40 Merc before Corky did his thing on it, right? HAVE ANY MORE THAT ARE NOT ON RIKS? Ill narrarate!
Hey Twochops,Ya got pics of that chopped 50 Ford tudor that had the 49 Buick 1/4 panels and ended up with the same front as the El Matador? I found the car down here in Fl and have pics!
No he isnt. His car was is a 50 Ford convert originally known as "The Yankee Clipper" owned by Jim Karcher of Stamford Conn.
I also forgot to mention earlier that it seems Ray and Luke Karosi of Customs Illustrated have developed a friendship and thats good news for us because on more than on occasion Luke and Ray have put together articles showing 1/86086 of Soffs collection.
The Jalopy Journal
