In 1983 I bought a customized 1950 Buick in Indianapolis that was channeled and had a removable steel hardtop a**** other things. Last Saturday Dennis Metz (Bob Metz' son) confirmed it was his first custom and it placed third in the Indianapolis Custom Auto Show in 1951 and provided a number of photos. There is no question that it is the same car and I am now planning to take it back to its original appearance and i would like to see if anyone has period color photos or first person experience that will enable me to make it accurate. I particularly would like information about the way the front wheel skirt/spat was constructed and functioned to allow wheel access. These were not with the car when I bought it. I also am looking for information about interior and trunk, the latter was gutted and the original interior colors are unknown. It is currently black. Brett Johnson
Bttt... Brett Johnson (the current owner) told me this about the new paper scan below... "The news clipping about it being the car hit by the train is pure fantasy. It is and always was a 1950 Buick Super convertible. Maybe he didn't want to tell his wife he bought a nearly new car to customize."
Wow. Congrats on getting the car. You're probably aware of the great Spence Murray article on Metz and his cars in a recent "Rodders Digest". I always LOVED the La Rocket, it was great to learn about it and the very talented guy who built it. Brian
brian, dont you mean "rodders journal" wow a Bob Metz custom......talk about priceless! did you know what it was when you bought it?
try getting ahold of starbird, in the museum they have pic from builders, even some who are not in the hall of fame.
I have ordered the back issue of Rodder's Journal (not yet received) and hope to meet with Bob's son Dennis in the next week or two. Since I bought the car in 1983, it has been to a few cruise-ins and small shows in the immediate (Indy) area, mostly in the past 5 years. It is not real dependable and the 1950 mechanicals, while rebuilt are still 1950 mechanicals. The very poor air flow makes it very hot and the bias-ply tires and manual steering are a little challenging, as well. It tram-lines badly, though it happily keeps up with traffic, albeit with leisurely acceleration (stock straight eight & Dynaflow). It also squeaks a lot.... Nobody ever mentioned Bob Metz' name as the possible builder until this year and last Saturday Dennis sent me the photos that have appeared in this thread which confirm it without any doubt. If anyone wants additional information, I've written a brief -- okay it isn't really brief, it is around 2500 words -- history of the car since I bought it, which includes descriptions of the many, many modifications. I am also looking for another set of stock 1950 Buick front bumper ends and signal units, as well as 1950 Buick Super and Dynaflow scripts. The script on the front hood in the car show 1951/52 photo says Superflow and is made from, yeah you figured it out too. Here's a photo of it from 1991 with the top off -- probably the last time I took it off. Brett Johnson
I just bought a 35 Ford custom "barn find" off of eBay that comes from the New Palestine - Shelbyville - Indianapolis area that is reputed to be a Bob Metz custom. I am told that the car was once owned by an Indianapolis police officer and spent a lot of time at a gas station on the South side of Indianapolis at the corner of Meridian and Troy. (I am not from the area, so I am going from descriptions of others). The car has a custom grill, 40 Ford Headlights, aluminum firewall, side pipes, modified running boards, chopped top and the space b/t the rear of the car and rear bumper has been filled. Exterior is black. Interior is white leather with black leather inserts. headliner is white leather with black s***ching. Car currently has an Olds engine with dual dueces; however, I suspect the Olds may have been installed after the original custom build. I would appreciate any help in confirming whether or not it is a Metz car or otherwise do***enting the builder of this car. Thanks
Concratulations with your new historical custom car. The car you bought has been talked about here on the hamb for some time. The previous owner was a Hamber. You can find out more, but unfortunately no confirmation on who built it. in this LINK.
The Jalopy Journal
