Was my car a former movie star???Hot Rods to Hell (1967)

This is going to be a good one to watch.

 

This is incredible. I was just wondering, yesterday, "what ever happened to the car that my Dad built?"...and then this morning I got "facebooked" wondering if I was related to Ray Lisea. The answer is "yes!", and I'm blown away to find this conversation going on today.

My Dad built this car. He was a consumate "car and boat" guy, and spent his life either selling cars or boats or skippering private yachts. Sadly, he p***ed away years ago. I miss him, particularly as I have raised my 3 boys without their Grandpa around. Finding this car is a truly incredible connection.

I have the Rod Builder and Customizer magazine (January 1959) as well as the Hot Rod Magazine (May 1958) that the car was in, as well as a snapshot of the car. I remember, years ago, seeing some other photos of the car with a model in a swimsuit showing it off, but can't find those for the life of me.

I really want to know how this car comes out, and would love to see it.
Raymond Scott Lisea

 

Incredible ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The misterious power of the HAMB speaks again....

 

Oh my Lord...I just looked at the calendar. TODAY is the anniversary of my Dad's death. I am speechless. Thank you for this incredible connection today. It means the world to me.

 

Wow, another amazing HAMB thread. Glad to see these re-united, power of the HAMB.

 

Time to call the press....... good ink in this story.

 

I just found another picture of my Dad with the car. I'll scan in and upload them on Monday. I can't wait to hear some of the history on where this baby's been since my Mom made him sell it!

 

Yes brothers and sisters! The power of the HAMB is everywhere! The clear still waters of history taste so fine! Tell us more!.......

 

So Chris' car is in fact the car from the movie Hot Rods to Hell? Whoa!...the plot thickens!...

 

So rad.

 

No, It is not that car. The movie car was Gary Heliker's T a very cool car in its own right for sure!

 

This car was in Hot Rod Magazine for sale in about 68 or 69 for $1500. I wanted to buy it and the guy sent me a picture of it in his driveway in El Segundo Ca.It still looked just like it was in the movie.He sold it before I got the money.

 

TAKE THIS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT Car Coordinators on films usually have three cars for the feature car, or cars: (1.) one for close-ups, aka the 'star' car, (2.) another that is used in moving shots, and (3.) a wreck, if there are any stunt gags. Because a film can't stop production while a vehicle is repaired, and every minute costs $$$$$$$$$$$, anything that can break during production usually has a backup. Just because a vehicle is used in a picture doesn't mean diddly to film-makers, who generally lease, or rent , and are willing to dress (repaint & refurbish) just for a shot. In hot rod movies, vehicles are just moving props and come and go like horses did in horse operas. Star cars, on the other hand, have wonderful afterlives, being pampered and drooled on by their fans when brought to car shows. This being, of course the difference between a thoroughbred and a nag.

 

this is a pretty cool thread , enjoyed reading it

 

Hey everybody, I've uploaded a bunch of photos of my Dad's car onto facebook for your enjoyment: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2062582&id=1087153985&saved

 

Thanks again Scott! Talk to you soon!

 

Put the upholstery back like it was or let someone else.

 

Its sad to see what happens to our pride and joy's after there sold.

 

WOW!! this is amazing almost like he made the connection happen amazing!! I love the power of the Hamb

 

Man I got Goosebumps. Great Thread. Cool Find !

 

lucky, you really are!

What a cool tale!

 

I can't wait to hear more! A guy has to wonder what happened to that front sheetmetal over the years?

Slim

 

WOWZERS!!
That is a great find!

Norton

 

For those HAMBers that don't have a Facebook account ... here's some cropped & "auto adjusted" versions of the images:

​

 

Thanks Hemi32!

 

There should be a "Legendary Threads" section, like the tech section, where threads like this can be put so folks can find them! Too awesome!

 

Here's a pic of the roadster at the 1958 National (Oakland) Roadster Show:

original photo by **** Day


click thumbnail to enlarge​

 

I don't know how I missed this thread. I love a good ol survivor story.

More please..

 

That's a great job of blowing up the photo from Hot Rod...thanks! I'm adding it to my collection. My boys and I are enjoying every minute of this reconnection! I asked my Mom about the car (I thought they had it still when they were married, but she never saw it live; as my Dad sold it before they started dating... here is her reply, for your enjoyment...my Mom is no "June Cleaver"!

Hi honey. great photos! I really don't have any stories as I never got to see
it and I don't remember any stories from him. He just described it to me and
showed me the Hot Rod magazine. He was very proud of it, and indeed it was
gorgeous. I don't know why he sold it. During our courtship, we were always
souping up a car. He was driving a '55 Chevy with 3 carburetors with
progressive linkage, 3-on-the-floor instead of on the steering column and with a
palm sized polished steel ball as a gear knob. We then put in a new clutch
(truck clutch) and there were only 3 people who were able to shift it (I was one
of them). He was a great driving teacher. He even drove to SF and parallel
parked in on a hill and had me drive it out of there! I done good. He
frequently traded his cars throughout our life, trading up. He loved to race but
I hated road racing and it caused many an argument if he jumped into a
spontaneous race when we were out together. Lots of teenagers died in our area
in auto accidents. I did love working on the engines but it made my Dad crazy -
he wanted me to take up knitting or something when I would come home with a
carburetor in a shoe box smelling like gasoline. I could take it all apart and
adjust the ****erfly valve and the venturi system and get it all clean and
pretty. In my Senior yearbook, they have "3 carburetors" under my name. It was
a song that I lip-synced in a drama cl*** show. I'm glad you have such a good
photo of your dad when he was young. I love you, Boy. mama

Scott

 

so cool! Thanks for the cool story! Can't wait to see how she turns out!