Not nec. the top customs , but my favorites : 1)Matranga 2)Calori (I LIKE whitewalls though ) 3)Sam Barris Merc (wasn't it the first 49/50 to be chopped?)smooth and simple 4)39 Merc coupe I'd drop off at Cole Foster's shop to do his thing with if I had the dough , bet it would be my new number 1 .
Like everyone else,my opinion changes daily,but solid calls there,agreed with the 'flow' thing i personally prefer this approach to maybe something more radical like the aztec........the JV chevy is certainly one i dont get tired of looking at pictures of,real classic lines..........another vote too for grapevine n moonglow here,guess my tastes are going chevy way,but i'll pull it back a lil with the calori coupe........the missus is mercs all the way........
Hirohata, obviously mentioned by me earlier in this thread... Also the 2nd version of the Larry Ernst/Barris Chevy is a favorite of mine also, here is a sweet clone of it: But like everyone else says, really its too hard to pick one and my tastes change daily.
Being 29 years old, I have to say that CadZilla was definitely an influential car to me, and probably had a little something to do with why I am in to cars today. I remember going to the LA auto show with my uncle, must have been about 20 years ago and being blown away by it. I just saw it again at the HAMB petersen tour a few months ago, and I have to say it is one really wild and clean kustom. I dont think that I would put it as my all time favorite now by any means, but definitely an influential car..
The Father Ernst chevy is one of my favorites,he also had a 52 or 53 Ford that was nice,alot like Jimmy Vaughans,that was shown under the name Grant Macklin,because they didnt think a priest oughta have custom cars.
Efijie is all new, not a modified body or anything else, although they did base its styling on an original car. So in that case it really doesn't count. The factory guy in charge of the project is a confessed custom fan though.
Why do guys ask such a stupid question? Just like that other thread about the Best Merc Ever! It's ALL based on opinion and preference...
My personal top 3 favorites #1 Larry Ernst Chevy #2Ron Dunn's shoebox Ford #3Loiue Bettancourt 1949 Mercury
Don't know about "Top Kustom",if there is one.But I can tell you guys this,there are several early top kustoms and several late top kustoms.It's a matter of opinion.
Cars come along through different eras with their own unique spin that "start something". There was the 1st Carson top. There was the 1st taildraggin 36 Ford. The 1st fade-away fendered 41-48 coupe/conv., Ford, Chev, Buick. They "start something" and that was done by a unique craftsman with a vision. To pick a best ever, a #1 all time custom (kustom) I'd think that some definition is needed. Best workmanship? The new cars are undeniably better on that score. Oldest survivor? Too many coming out these days to pick one now. Most ink (magazine coverage)? That would take some research to confirm but again, Today's 'net coverage overshadows past print media so a breakdown to only...aww fuck that. Cadzilla handled that last parameter pretty well. In the midst of all those definitions and parameters there will always be a car that stands out. It will always have a glow about it that has little to do with it's finish. As long as it remains it will always be "Lancy" from The Cinncinnati Kid. My selections aside I have to give it to the Hirohata Merc. If you lined up 10 or 100 there would always be that glow, that reverence, and above all a style that was executed to near perfection. The final colors were perfect for it, the Buick trim started showing up on more cars, the grille treatment, stance, you know what we're talking about. So going back to The Cinncinnati Kid, Edward G Robinson is the Hirohata, and Steve McQueen is Cadzilla hearing "You're good kid, but as long as I'm around you're always gonna be second best. You might as well get used to it." SInce you read all that opinion I guess I owe a personal list: Moonglow (in white) R&C Dream Truck Beatnik Bandit Hammit/Cole 36 cpe Hirohata Merc La Jolla and too many others to comprise but the short list gives an idea. For the record while Cadzilla is certainly a notable car in every way it never did more for me than the sum of it's craftsmanship. It never grabbed me from deep down like so many before and indeed after have done.
I agree with Bob, kind of a stupid question! I am still beside myself knowing that there are people on here that can even mention Cadzilla in the same sentence.... no better yet the same conversation as the Hirohata merc!!!!!!! Do those same people still believe in santa clause ????
IMO,Cadzilla doesn't qualify for this board,as I can't see how its traditional when I look at it. I vote with the Ernst Chevy guys.But WTF do I know?
My list is Matranga Merc,Sam Barris Merc,Hirahita,Junior Conways 50 Ford,R C Dream Truck,The 58 chevy that was in a Rodders Journal a few years ago ,That Pat G had in had in his video. that video was great. Does anybody else have a copy of that video.Had to be at least 10 years ago?
Thats too funny you beat me to it. I was going to list this car as one of the tops. People were actually passing by Zephyr's to pick up Fords before Scrape hit the scene.
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