That is the most Perfect- unperfected Hotrod... lots of personality....... which seems to lack today.. to many follow a Betty Crocker cake mix formula. Love it.
I've cruised Longview for decades and seen a lot of collections up north, cool cars up in Cowlitz County but I have never seen that one. I have a lot of car buddies up there still, I'll prowl around. @verde742 knows that town.
I’ve had that photo and this photo saved on my phone for a long time. It’s always had the “look” to me.
I used to think it was those pie crust wheels alone, but it's the whole attitude! Hard to build or copy within today's scope, even with available parts.
To me it looks like the old channeled 3 window that was sold on eBay about 8 to 10 maybe even 15 years ago that was really crusty and had an old Hemi, same headlight stands and remnants of blue metallic paint on it. May not be the car but from my memory it sure looks similar. I no longer have the same computer I had back then but surely someone has pics of that eBay car or even knows who bought it.
Oregon flags on the car sitting in front of Longview high school might mean that the owner lived in Oregon and was there to meet a gal from Longview when she got out of class. In 1969 those tanks weren't "me too I gotta be cool" tanks like they are now, That tank held the Race gas in those days. A wicked looking car at any rate.
Unfortunately, someone probably bought it un-channeled and chopped it because they wanted a "Traditional" hot rod.
Was probably in the Army and wanted to take a picture of his ride in front of his high school before he shipped off to Vietnam.
I really wish guys would build 32 3W's this way again. Unfortunately, they have become too "valulable " to build into real hotrods. I would have no fear in building one this way. I would chop it too.
It wouldn't be hard to build this. You just have to have the balls to do it. And a 3W body. The rest is easy
As I remember the car, Morris Walters owned it, sat in his mom's carport till Terry King found it took it to Twin City Body Shop, in West Kelso, It was metallic royal blue,had some minor work done. Had it quite a while. Then as I recall, a guy from Kelso, Gene Cope who had a business in Clatskanie, Oregon, bought it and started making changes, entered it in Portland Roadster show often, think he had it painted green, Chrysler, moon tank, chrome wheels, bumperbars etc. I know Gene wasn't waiting for his girl friend, Harriet, she went to Kelso schools. The last time I saw it, was at a Rod Run in Oregon and it was yellow and a few changes. Talked to the guy, but don't remember his name. Gene lives in Cannon Beach Oregon , I have his number some place.... I may have missed a few years, but that's about all I recall..... Lots of customs and semi customs, '32 Vickys, many Pickups. I also remember salmon colored 3 window that had nailhead Buick installed, funny part: There was no room for the starter, so the owner Bob Steele, would push it, (if he didn't have some one with him) Then jump around the suicide doors, get in it and go. He usually found someone near, it was a funny situation, and the talk of the town! There were several 3 window coupes in Longview at that time, Mine had full fenders, but many weren't. Even had a channeled 5 window '34 Chrysler type with cycle fenders, and other Ply/Dodge? 5 windows with full fenders. A town so small, you didn't lose yer girl friend, you just lost yer turn !! It was really a CAR TOWN, exactly like the movie AMERICAN GRAFFITI !!! Several hamburger places, cruisers every night, really the best of times. ! VERDE742 There was a time when I knew it all, or had an opinion about it......
I contacted Gene Cope, sent him a link to this thread. He called me today and yes, he used to own this 3wc. He said that he hadn’t thought about it in a long time. He couldn’t remember who he sold it to or why he sold it. Gene’s still in the hobby, owns a ‘40 Woodie and a couple of other cars.
Channelled, not chopped, green...but with a 303 Olds...yeah, I might know someone who would do such a thing.
The Jalopy Journal
