Cool car, and a great story. Quote "Having always wanted a "real" California hotrod he started collecting all the parts to build one. He got another roadster for $300.00 out of a farmers bean field and proceeded to build it." Wish I was as a smart as the farmer who got 3 large in 1949 or 50 for a roadster out of a bean field. That guy has got to be in the Fortune 500!
thanks for sharing ! I like to read stories behind famous kustoms, and i love it more when it's about my second favorite kustom of all time ! I was waiting for a "milestone custom" topic from Rikster to know everything i need on this baby ...but it's done, ...and it's soooo kool ! Thanks again !
The full story is in TRJ #22, and goes into great detail about the cars strange life. I can't imagine the amount of work that went into the restoration after reading the stroy. It had to be more work to restore it than it was to build it originally. Like it or not, it is fantastic.
Barry Mazza is one hell of a nice guy, he owns a priceless artifact but he has zero at***ude about it. My rich dad was trying to buy the car at our show, it's was truly funny to watch. I was saying, "dad, cut it out, this is embarrasing." but that's what dads do.
Always asked myself from what car or cars those side trim came ? don't see anything related in my little book....
I had one of those bumpers in fair condition. Tried to sell a 3 different swapmeets 3 different years. Finally hauled it to the s**** yard when I moved 6 months ago.
Awesome ride. I had to delete my previous post because I had my head screwed on backwards when I read "Aztec." Hell of a story though, maybe next time I'll read more before posting
A quick sidelight to this story - Bobby Wilcoxson's partner in crime was another bank robber named Albert Nussbaum. It was Nussbaum who bought the customized Porsche Carrera that was built by Dean Jeffries. The FBI traced the Porsche to Florida where it was in Nussbaum's sister's driveway. Here's a picture of the Porsche as it looks today - its about to get a new paint job and go back to the original silver pearlescent paint scheme.
The aztec is like Paris Hilton. Famous but ugly. Lots of quality work no doubt, but Nothing on that car works for me. there, I said it.
I seen the Aztec in 1958 when it was on disdlay around the USA at a Chevy dealer in Allentown Pa., I was in just as much awe then as I was, I think two years ago, at the Gettysburg KKOA meet Maybe today in the younger genration don't have the same taste for cars as we did then, but to me it is still one of my all time favorites.
Heres a picture of my truck, in some Famous company, My friend Barry Mazza's AZTEC at a local Cruise tonite. Tom
anyone have early pictures of the AZTEC before it became the Aztec? when it had the packard tail lights only and a few other minor kustom touches? i only have one pic and have never seen any others????
Barry is in the process of putting together an album starting with a picture when the car was brand new. including some of the ones that you are talking about. If you have a picture, I am sure that he would like to have a copy.
I don't think its a generation thing. I'm 37, my Dads 57, and neither of us like the Barris style Customs. I have friends my age (and younger), that worship George Barris. I think it has more to do with personal taste than age. Part of my problem with these Cars is the fact that they have been changed so much, they no longer even vaguely resemble the car that they originally were. That being said, I do appreciate the amount of work and skill that went into building these cars, and the Aztec is one of the better looking customs from that era.
That's very well put. I'll agree with it being personal taste. For me it's the exact opposite, if you can't recognize what the original car was, that makes it a true radical custom. I wish there was more of that done now.
What is the paint formulation on the restoration? Is it still bronze toner over gold flake or something new? Does the top have a removeable sectioon or does that slide back somehow?
The top is a removable section, not sliding. There is a great story about the car's restoration in an old Rodder's Journal. Barry recalls in the story an incident concerning that top section. It happened while towing the car home after finally purchasing it. On the freeway, that removable top section flies off onto the road. He ends up running onto the freeway to get it. I heard that the top was pretty heavy, made in that old style way. Probably would have wiped out a Civic if it was run into .
The color, if I remember correctly, was called Honey Gold. I mixed up a batch of Candy paint to match it, to paint a bunch of Aztec 1/24 models for VICCUSTOMS. It wan't as red as you'd think, seeing it in the mags. I used a base of Pagan Gold, with some Tangerine, and a bit of Burgundy, I think. I hadn't seen the finnished car, but when it was at Gettysgurg, the models matched the paint color on the car very well! The roof is really cool. You can have a full roof, or just remove the panel above the front seat, or remove the entire roof. As for the Barris cars.......Does the Matranga Merc not look like a 40 Merc?????? Johnny Zaro's, Larry Earnst's, Chuck Dewitt's,even the Blue Danube. It's only the later (post 53) cars that are so radical that they no longer resemble the originals. Most of the earlier simpler customs are still recognizable as to what they started out as. I agree with Mike, though, it's not a bad thing to be radical! As long as it's tasteful.
oh, would you look at that. I wonder how I change my name. My daughter set all this up for me. Honestly, the boys and I pretty much only talk about cars and we all agree this (the Aztec) marked the beginning of the end of tastefull customs. I obviously agree there is a ton of nice work, it's just that wee bit too far. I wish it was in my garage parked next to my Nomad but I still dont like it. anyone know how to change my name on here?
Barry Mazza recently send me these photo's of the 55 Chevy that would later become world famous as the Aztec... Stock And here with some work done to the front and rear fenders and here with some more Aztec bodywork done Many thanks to Barry Mazza who was kind enough to share his custom car photo collection!!!
The Jalopy Journal
