Pretty sure the bumper is a '52 DeSoto as Sancho said. I have a '52 DeSoto bumper and brackets that could be used, they're kinda rare and prized by custom Merc guys. And it's HAMB member "themoose" who did the photoshop work, he's very talented. I'm sure he'd be willing to do another photoshop for you with the bumper in place but with the old headlight treatment and a different grille, depending on what you have in mind. There's a big Photoshop thread where you can post requests to. I think the headlights could look OK as-is if you made the right changes elsewhere. Caps, ditching the mirrors, and bumpers are really key, and leaving the headlight treatment will make things much easier since the paint would all remain intact. Grille has been swapped out before so no harm done there either. Different seats would definitely help. This car could be really great with the right owner and the right changes, even if not everyone here can see it. I hope you can get it, and for a price where it's worth the effort.
Just because such a car has "been around" that's not automatic street cred. Maybe a famed builder or painter "touched it", but still no creds. Style, build quality, taste (which is truly subjective), all have to blend into a gourmet serving of cl*** and respect for tradition. There's a dozen decent ideas on the car. Maybe more (or less!), but added all together it's hard on the eyes. I don't mean to inflict my taste or ideals into someone's personal thinking or view, and while there's that "...no rules..." thing about rods and customs, well sorry there are a few. Breaking them with success is a fleeting task and you better be damn good at what you do. Sadly my professional opinion is that it looks like these folks were not. As said, old Cadillac seats which were probably cheap. Lets put thousands of hours in weird and wild body work but add some used car seats. Lets get a steering wheel because it's "on sale" in the catalog. Where else was it cheaped out? All red flags, and I'll disclose that I looked at this thing a 1/2 dozen times before I decided to reply, hoping maybe my 1st impression would relax a little. Well, sorry it didn't but I thought I'd temper my outlook on it the best I could. If you dig it beyond all get out I'm sorry if this is offensive. Finally, the price? P.M. me if you're interested in a possible option for a lot less.
That headlight treatment is the most distracting thing about this car. I think changing them back would be major. There was a lot of work done to make them look that bad.
I think my favorite part is the ugly mirrors and goofy spots that together put a big obstacle in the corners of the windshield. if I were a cop I'd give him a ticket for having an obstructed view. if a person could get a ticket for bad taste that one would be 3 points of your driving record
I remember "Alley Oop" from back in the day. Hard to remember where I seen it but it was more than once. I always loved that car.
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