Lil Henry;a custom Model A coupe....

Did some striping the other day on a custom rod called "Li'l Henry";a Model A coupe that had been made into a hardtop with custom fenders and a rear consisting of a narrowed 59 Chevy rear fenders and deck with 58 Lincoln taillights.Built by an outfit called Imperial Kustoms from(I believe)Minnesota and originally striped by Dave Bell.Featured in several magazines circa 1962.
Didn't get any pics but the current owner is going to e-mail me a few.I was just curious if anyone remembers it. Not to everyone's taste but definitely some wild work.The body and paint was re-done by the original builder who at 75 is still building cars and has a shop in Iowa.

 

Don't remember it but sound's interesting. HRP

 

It was built by Del Clausen at Imperial Customs in Mason City, IA

 

OK, time to revive this thread!
Been working to digitize my old 35mm slides. Ongoing project, not sure if I'll ever see the end of it but it's been a real voyage of discovery. Did a search, found this so here you go - photos from 1991, MSRA's Back to the Fifties weekend at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. And "Li'l Henry" was for sale!











Called the seller at the time out of curiosity and was told it was bought out of an estate. Price? Out of my range. **sigh **
Have sorta followed the history of the car since seeing it as a kid at the GSTA show, seeing it in a couple magazines and running across a photo or two of earlier versions. And I remember hearing or reading several (?) years later that an eventual buyer was planning a restoration which has apparently happened? Since have lost track of it. Anybody have updates, photos or other history? @Moriarity ?

A side note to this - in 2021 I was walking through a show in Northwood IA when a '40 Ford coupe caught my eye. What further intrigued me was the credit for the paint/body/flames on the show sign:




Not sure when the paint on that '40 was done, but apparently Del Clausen was still doing his thing years later.
And I guess, somewhere, his "Li'l Henry" still lives.
Rock on!

 

I was distantly acquainted with a relative of Del Clausen. Many years ago she asked me to do a drawing of his custom coupe, Lil Henry. I never completed a drawing that I thought was worthy. It's good to see this rod is still around.