Rik, this is a long overdue recognition of a man who clearly places a high value on his own integrity for doing it right. Fit, finish, uniform gaps and flowing lines reveal the artist he is. Thanks for this spotlight and I hope we see more.
Another incredible post Rikster! Pauls work is incredible to see and I love the fact that he shows his cars while they are being worked on so that we can all see the progress being made on these beautiful customs.
Thanks for a great thread Rikster. Paul Bragg was longtime an unsung hero of customizing, just quietly doing his own thing, with no fanfares and no publicity. His creations look as though they came that way from the factory -subtle and smooth. None of this 'shock and awe' crap - just mile deep quality and attention to detail - much of it so subtle that you either do not notice it or have to look twice and then a third, fourth and fifth time to take it in. Paul is an Icon and lving proof that timeless and subtle is the way to go. What a maestro!
Yes I sure did... Its what they drove out to Sacramento.... Paul had to do that car very secretly. His wife hat "forbidden" him to shop it. They needed it to drive around. But Paul visualized it in his head, and once it was settled there was nothing and nobody that would keep him from chopping it. So he worked on it when Pat was not around... and did a wonderful job. One day Pat was asking Paul's workers where here husband was... and they all came up with different locations. So Pat walked around and found Paul working on the chop in the back of the shop... at first she was upset. But luckily Paul was nearly done with it.. and it looked so good. The now drive in it all the time.. and both love it.
Just another Fantastic post! I've been a Paul Bragg fan for years and one of these days I'd like to see his work in person. I had a freind (Dr. Dave) take some kool pictures at the Merc gathering and I got to see some different agles that showed off his work. very kool!! This year at Salina I talked to Frank Livingston about his Mercury that Bragg had built and I probably wore out my welcome. Lot of kustom work done to the Merc that you just don't see right off. Love the extended body line on Livingston's Merc and the still kept the hump. Way too Kool!! Thanks again Rikster. Happy Trails, Mick
I had the oppurtunity to hang with Paul years ago at Paso. My Beatnik buddy and I drove out to Paso in 2001 I think. We parked next to Paul and had such a good time talking with him and looking over the 54 and the merc.....wow! He was excited we drove out in three days... and we became friends that afternoon. What a time picking his brain and listening to him talk about his ideas, wants and love for clean lines. I don't think many can continuely get the lines so right, as Paul does... and what a modest gentlemen too. For years I have watched with excitement... he is a master. Thanks Rikster... Great post on a modern day hero. Thanks Paul for all your great work and inspiration!
Thanks Rik, It's really exciting to see all that! I always loved seeing his stuff at Paso, very inspiring!
Jesus Rik, I'm just finishing cleaning up my keyboard from the last batch of drool I deposited on it because of one of your posts and you go and make me do it all over again! I mean, give a fella a break. Paul Bragg's work is the best I have ever seen and the style and flow of his chops are beyond belief. A true master. Rik, thanks for taking the time to put this essay on the HAMB for all of us to enjoy. You have made my day, week, month...no, you have made my year!
masterful work,he is a metal ,master and rikster well done on another great pictorial. awesome stuff.
And to top it off he is a very nice fellow. I was a little star struck but I spoke with him and his wife after the city council meeting in Paso for the car show argument. We spoke for about an hour about this and that and how Paso ust to be, it was very cool.
Seeing Paul's in-progress Mercs was always the highlight of the Paso weekend for me. I'd always spend way more time looking at them than any other car. I loved looking to see what was new on each of them each year - just a few more things done each time, but always an improvement and of-course unbelievable craftsmanship. The fact that he was not in a big hurry to finish them and was willing to show them that way also made an impression. This past February at Autorama set-up night I finally got a chance to meet this master. Now, I'm a pretty quiet guy, so I usually don't have a lot to say to people I don't know well, but damn, Paul and his wife were so nice and fun to talk with and treated us like good friends all weekend long - makes me respect him that much more. His sense of volume, proportion and beautiful simple lines are only out-done by his own metal shaping skills. Thanks Rik for showing us some more of his work.
Awesome read! Its nice to see his body of work all in one thread like that. The sectioned shoebox is cool, did you guys see this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...5100QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucksQQsalenotsupported
Thanks for your efforts for this piece, Rik. Thanks to Paul for the excellent progression shots which truly show his metalworking skills. And exactly why is is that TRJ is not having you put together a feature article on Paul and his cars?
Rikster, Thank you very much for posting this. I'm a big fan of Paul Bragg's work and this is one of the best threads ever. Thank for all that you do, I've spent hours enjoying your site. Dave
Sweet work..I know it is just me but I like them a lot more if the drip rails were left on..my eye is drawn to the top of the door where is a line that ends by the rear side window...just looks unfinised to me...just my opinion Mench
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