<b>I had no idea my such a talent customizer lived so close to my home town. I've seen some of those cars in person, esp the 41'. Feel like I've been livin' in a cave!</b>
I've never been a big fan of canted headlights but Paul Bragg sure did it right.. Now I love canted headlights! Absolutley Beautiful!! Kan't wait to see it in color. Happy Trails, Mick
Palle and me visited Paul and Pat Bragg yesterday and sasw all these beauty's with our own eyes... and hands. Of coarse we had to feel all this smooth freshly shaped metal. The cars are so impressive in person. WOW... Pal and Pat are really fantastic people, thanks for having us over. We had a great time. Photos will follow in a day or two. Today we are heading back home.
I sent Paul a pm asking hime about the skirts on the 41....he sent me a tape of him building them and would not take any money 1st class guy , thanks again Paul !!
Pauls work has been very influential on me. The very first issue of Rod and Custom that I ever bought had a feature on two of his cars. I stared at those shots for months soaking in every detail. Every time I see his name mentioned on a car, it is always tastefull, subtle (in the sense that it all flows so well) and flawless.
Hi Rik, We were glad that you and Palle got to take us up on our invitation for a visit. We know you were very busy with a lot to see and do in a very short time. Happy you had a great time and you got to see all the of the cars and Paul's stash. Look forward to seeing some of the photos you took. Patticake&tinguy
Here are a few of the photos I took while Palle and me visited Paul and Pat Bragg... more will follow later... Paul's old 1949 Mercury... looked really good in person despite some minor flaws that need some touch up work. Pat's 54
The work this man does is Incredible.... sickest metal work Ive ever seen... Could only dream to be able to do work like that.
Bringing this back up for some history lessons. Maybe someone new might see the big difference in what was done back in the day. They did things the right way. not over chopping and having everything laying on the ground looking like its broken.
Yes Bickford....I believe you're correct, though I would add that "the right way" may be too strong for many. What's clear for those of us who grew up in that era, is that many of the cars built today are exaggerated caricatures of what guys "think" the cars of the 50's and 60's looked like. What is "right" for todays builder is exactly what they're building. I love Riks sharing of the Watson cars.....and I love the Little books to this day. Those are fine examples of the way things "really" were, but today, like then, we get our ideas from one another, and peer pressure is a strong thing. How I'd love to see some Unchopped cars left in ten years,,,or at least keep the chops mild....They're starting to all look alike to me. That's sad...."Mild" is a word long lost.....
I too like the like the little books!They're awesome for refence.I also think they all are starting to look the same.I'm also getting tired of seeing all the hardtop 49-51 mercs.I'm going to leave my 51 Merc unchopped the way it was when it appeared in CarCraft in the 50's.It may be rare when all the others get chopped.
I absolutely love your Merc just the way it was/is. I also love chopped cars, when they make sense. My black heart gets a little sadder each time I see another radically chopped Shoebox, Merc, or '49-'54 Chevy Tudor because they all end up looking pretty much the same as the last one. I know why guys do it...they same reason we all did it...whether it was Dummy Spots, Lakes Pipes, or Cobwebs...it was in fashion,,,but those things are easily and often reversed with little money, time or effort. Once you commit to a radical, "look alike " chop...the car pretty much ends its life that way. Then you have to look at major work and expense 10 years from now to find a donor car for another roof to reverse it. Two cars, reduced to one. I'm not saying it would happen, but there are planty of failed chops in the crusher already. Serious business, but I think the builders today are far more skilled than the guys in the past, and have more references and experience to draw from, BUT, I think the day is coming soon when people will really get excited to see an "unchopped" whatever......I've already seen a little evidence of it. I wish we could rediscover the art of "subtlety"......and begin to create a whole new interest in Mild Kustoms.........
HISTORY LESSON TIME !!!! Look these guys build cars that were CLASSY not TRASHY. Maybe for people will start building CLASSY CUSTOMS again.
I could look at Paul's cars all day long. I really dig the new taillight treatment on Pat's '54. Thanks for the fresh photos Rikster and keep up the outstanding work Paul!
Yeah, we can always hope for a renaissance of kustom builds, but based on the number of bags, frame clips, four links, 350/350 & black primer builds we see today it ain't commin 'round the bend anytime soon The great thing 'bout hindsite is that it's always 50-50 " Humpty Dumpty was pushed "
I know. To me the reason people are building crap is cause of these shit magazines promoting it. Ill keep bring these threads up. Maybe someone will read them and change there mind on the route they are going. I did. I took the bags out of mine .
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