History The California Rake

I spotted them too, what's up with them?

 

Watson sure stood the painting world on its ear with his beautiful panel painted square bird, still looking great 55 years later

 

Let's keep this thread focused on 50's-early 60's cars as the OP specified (and in recognition that this thread was posted in the "Traditional Customs" section). 20's-40's cars & hot rods need not be posted by the (above) established criteria.

 

Agreed -- hugely influential car, and very few of its imitators were nearly as good.

 

Captivating photo! As beautiful as the cars themselves.

 

^^ That's a fairly unlikely choice for a hot rod (or custom), but it looks great!

 

My 56 again. I want to make it at least an inch lower all around eventually.

 

Neat ride and those bar grilles fit perfect in a 56'

 

my 48 Ford Coupe

 

THIS style car looks better level to me. It's a custom with a hot rod stance. Not a fan. Just sayin

 

All my cars have a front rake

 

Hell, didn't know it's a california rake, but here are my wheels. Only way I want it.

 

Mine a few years back

 

and this is how most of us got the damn thing low in front.....cut the coils. Never had much luck heating the coils.

 

The cars I see that are first exceptionally low then raked represent the true "California rake" that I like. Hell what do I know I'm a Texas boy... either way some great examples posted here.

 

From what I see, anything that isn't a tail dragger is 'California rake'

Surely not?

 

Bitchen 60

 

That 57 Pontiac sits just right to me

 

Brad Bauder's 55! That thing is a burnout machine as well as having a killer rake. The Bauder's know how to make a car sit.