Customs OK guys lets try to find the Exodus Cushenbery built 59 Chevy last known to be in Fresno Calif

Did you check with the Tulare swap meet guy?

 

I also found this: http://kustomkingdom.blogspot.com/2013/10/exodus-1959-chevrolet-custom-bill.html

Below is the post from that link translated (I added the bold to the last line, really the important line):

"The 1959 Chevrolet named Exodus is a true work of art, the work on the front and rear faces is very daring and radical as often on Cushenbery's creations (just think of El Matador seen previously).

As can be seen, the rear face is divided into two large engine nozzles in which are placed radiator grilles ***ociated with chrome shells (close to the grilles of Cadillacs of the early fifties) the almond-shaped lights of the Chevrolet are replaced by two jet engine pipes in which 4 rear lights are tunnelled. The gull wings are kept and even lined and overhung by a small fin containing the turn signals at their ends.

What is at the same time very coherent and yet extremely daring on the part of Cushenberry is to have used for the front face an almost identical structure except that the lights are replaced by the headlights. Here it went even further against the design of the original Chevrolet which is made of taut lines placed horizontally on top of each other, including a grille in which the headlights are part of. Indeed Cuchenbury breaks the horizontality by dividing the front face by the two "mouths" containing the radiator grilles joining in the middle of the front face by a molding.

The profile of the Exodus has an impressive purity of line compared to the rather baroque styles of the front and rear faces, no doubt because the bodywork has been completely stripped of all chrome disturbing the sight of the new complex lines of the bodywork. . At the level of detail, which is still quite subtle, it sets up clever little horizontal fins on each side of the roof, reminiscent of the lines of the gull wings on the rear face.

A little excessive no doubt but quite amusing the presence of 6 chrome exhaust outlets

On the front we can also notice that he has completely reworked the hood which has a new shape at the level of its opening like a molded edge in the center which continues very harmoniously to the bottom of the roll pan.

The interior is surprisingly cl***ic in white vinyl rolls and pleats.

the Custom clinic website has found the Exodus which is awaiting a Very Happy restoration"

That was posted in 2013 by Mark Gustavson (the model guy). I don't think he had any connection to the actual restoration but apparently at that time knew where it was and that it was being (or going to be) restored.

 

The plot thickens. Looking forward to what you find out.

 

One step closer!

 

I don't know Mark; you just got that 56-rag top. If you keep this up there is either going to an intervention or a garage expansion in your future! lol Larry

 

Monday, 4:10pm the search for the long lost custom known as The Exodus continues. We have one lead, someone connected to the individual who had the car 10 years ago has offered to help, we’ll see what happens.

 

Fingers crossed. Bummer things didn't work out with Mark, hopefully the other lead will bring in more info.

 

They're on a mission now Mark, and they won't rest till they find it! lol Better start looking for a larger location for the Moriartiy All Things Custom Museum! Larry

 

@Moriarity Post #102??

 

Since a house expansion is out, and the kitchen is full of spark plug wires, have you considered adding a Carvana style “vending machine” carousel elevator to your back yard? You’re going to need somewhere to store all these cool cars.

 

Yeah, I was referring to Chryslerfan's post. If he was talking about Mark G., hate that this has come to a dead end, at least for the moment. If it was around 10 years ago, it's still gotta be someplace.

 

maybe make a ba*****t garage with a hidden ramp in the front yard

similar to the idea, but instead of leading to a ba*****t and being obvious, it lowers flush with the ground.... would also include the side effect of people thinking you work for a secret agency.

 

They probably already think he works for a secret agency. Some of his creations look like alien spacecraft.

 

!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I sure hope that isn't the case.....

 

You can not be serious! Crushed?! Was that guy nucking futs?! Okay, rant over, I’ll go get the tar and feathers.

 

Sure hope that isn’t the case. I have a friend that is currently trying to crush his rust free 55 Victoria. His reasoning is different, but it also makes no sense.

 

I can't believe anyone having that car with any sort of idea what it was would decide that's the best answer. Man, I sure hope it's not true!

 

Well, if you take into account how things were built back in the day, round rod framework and pieces of metal hammered over whatever they could find in the shop and gas welded together and covered in lead and laquear paint. Add 60 years of decay and I would bet most shops he found would have been overwhelmed at the thought of it. I remember articles by Harold Murphy's partner, can't think of his name but he was known as the Striper. Any way when Harold restored the El Matador after the fire, if it had not been for Harolds lifelong fascination of that car I doubt that it would ever have been completed, just like Barry Maraz and the Astec. Lesser men would have s****ed both. Nobody built those cars with the idea that they would still be here 60 or 70 years later. I hope it is still out there but being crushed as a lost cause is not out of the realm of possibility. Larry

 

Wow. I’d been following along, bummer (if true) to hear the outcome.

 

Agreed I don't see it as that wild a suggestion to think that it happened. None of us know the condition the car was in and without a m***ive interest in the history of the car I can easily see someone just saying it's too far gone for it to ever really be the Exodus anyways. Some of these "restorations" are really just reproductions IMO. If you are replacing 90% of the car it's not really the same car anymore. It reminds me of the "restored" Johnny Zaro 1940 Merc that consists of an entirely new car other than the roof and the dash. What do you call something like that?