More Oakland Customs......1953

I've noticed theres been some complaining about a lack of Customs on the HAMB , so I thought it was time to step up and do my part! These photos are from the 1953 Grand National Roadster Show with captions from the program.
It's interesting to note most would be considered mild customs.....Enjoy!

 

Wow, i like the lincoln grille in the merc!

 

THANK YOU!!!!

I've really been jonesing for some good custom threads, expecially traditional ones (who woulda thunk?)

ALl of these cars are beautiful. I love the early 50s

 

Great.... Thanks Ron

 

What an era of cars!

 

More from the show.......

 

YES RON !!!! Thank you ....these are great pictures and some real nice customs in these shots.Great shots of the saltrock and how it was used in the early days.Great post....thanks again.It is safe to say....we needed this.

 

This thread makes me feel all warm and fuzzy

 

What a great looking Mercury that hauled *** too.Smooth lookin car with what looks to be a great lookin chop. 120mph at Bonneville..... looks like this sled did more then just look good.That is a big car to get moving 120mph back then.

 

Wonderful to see you share these pics, Ron. I first saw these in your albums when you, me, Bud, and Frank were hanging around your Chevy and Frank's Merc in the custom car display bldg near the Ala Kart a few years back. Those black and whites are priceless. Contact me and I'll show you some artwork that you might enjoy.

 

A few more.....

 

Great pics, thanks! Many of those customs seem really cl***y to me.

 

who chopped that Merc with the Lincoln grill in the very first pic?

 

great pics

 

I really like this Chevy. The color scheme (metallic Plum, Maroon/Ivory int.),
sounds fantastic. Interesting to note that "Porters" needed no further clarification.



And the Merc in the first pic! ...120 MPH!
Must have been a strange brew in the tank.

Thanks for posting, Ron.

 

^Yes, that Chevy is really nice. The other '41 Chevy with molded rear fenders, skirts and side trim is very cool also, although maybe I wouldn't have put that grille on it...


They are clean, good-looking and they very distinctly look like customs, despite how subtle the lowering and the overall mods may be.

 

The local garbage company is owned by Joe Garbarino, I am just across the bridge from SF and he is about the right age to have been a young man in the early '50's.
Here is what he does for fun now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1StMJBAk9cE

 

Thanks for posting.Great pic's.

 

thanks ron and all who post these older pictures. i love this era of customs but not being born till the 60's, and not started driving till the late 70's i don't have much to contribute to these threads. enjoy any and all pictures and info that any of you have to share. thanks again, jerseymike

 

Very nice! Thank you!!!
Just the kind of cars I love to see more of here.

 

you just have to love the old show pics. all those great looking cars, and not one laying frame.

thanks for taking the time to scan and post those shots.

 

GNRS 2011.



Thanks Ron.
Love it.
Slim

 

Great!

 

Terrific stuff! Really love the simplicity and taste shown in most of these cars, especially the Dunn '49 in this early state.

Thanks for posting!

 

Thanks Ron I needed this, very kool Post.

 

Wow - a true look at how it was rather than the modern interpretation on how it was. Thanks

 

Awesome. Thanks Ron.

 

Is there a reason for the lack of scallops, flames, etc.? Did these styles of paint come later or was it not as popular back then? Or is it just absent in these great pics?

 

I'm no historian but scallops are much more popular in the late 50's and 60's. Early stuff like this stuff from '53 is more austere, more cl***y I think. That's the year I have targeted with my car.

 

More so with Hot Rods, but I'm sure there were exceptions. Look at the Ayala's Body Shop Custom GMC truck, built around this time, if not earlier.

Ken