Customs Which car is the "King of Customs"?

My all time favorite is the Ohanesian Merc customized by Westerguard in 46 then finished in 49 by Bertolucci... I've always wanted a 39-40 Merc after seeing this and the other ones from the era. 49-51 Merc is nice but getting played out IMO.

 

Close this now it’s over

 

I would say the great s10 their frames seem to be in every car.

 

I totally agree. HRP

 

In 1979, Jerry ***us produced his first show, "The Merc/Deuce ReUnion", and totally revitalized the custom car landscape. This show celebrated '49-'51 Mercs as the King of Customs, and the '32 Ford as the King of Hot Rods.
The choice was obvious.

The success of this event spawned the creation of the KKOA, and the "Lead Sled Spectacular" shows. The resulting effect on the hobby is truly immeasurable.

 

Most definitely... The king of custom!


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Car I would also have to say the 49-51 Merc.....also going out on a limb, but one of my favorites for a wacky era Kustom is "The Golden Sahara" and would love to see a klone or the original redone?

 

For sure the king!!!!!!!!


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'39 Zephire, '40 merc if you are talking old customs, after that '36 Ford comes to mind.

Late customs it is a **** shoot, most popular is the '48-'51 merc, aftwer that I suppose '50-'54 Chevy. At least that are real common today. Square birds also make excellent customs, and '59 caddy as well.

None of this really answers the question does it? Those are just my opinion I suppose.

 

i thought you were looking for a specific car if thats the case then hirohata merc or sam barris' merc has to be it

as for models yeah id go with the 49-51 mercs but i also kinda aggree with them being played out because there have been soo many of them customised that there is very little that can be done to one that hasnt been done hundreds of times before without taking it to an ugly horrifing end just to be original

but if you see a nicly done merc chopped, shaved frenched in the right color you allways have to pick your jaw up off the ground and get a towel to wipe up all the drool they do look good

 

Agreed! And RED.

 

Most custom car guy will agree the "King" is the 49-51 Merc and they wear the crown well. I like the "Crown Prince' best "The Moonglow" a very timeless custom and very cool cruiser.

CRUISER

 

If we are shooting at a specific car, I lean pretty heavily on the Westergard Fade Away (first car George Barris ever worked on), after that I am partial to Sam's merc and then the maybe any number of 40ish Ford or Mercs that were built by Valley Customs.

I am more of a late 30s early 40s custom lover I suppose. Subtle changes and the engine was part of the equation.

 

hirohata.

 

flamed-a-bone

 

SamF

 

examples

 

If model is what you mean, then you have to also consider time frame. If you want to know all time, say from the first custom until current day cars being built, then I'd say 49-51 merc is #1 with #2 being a **** shoot between the shoebox ford 49-51 and the 49-54 chevies, for sure these model are the top three. Now that is not to say that the earlier lincolns, mercs, zephyrs, and ford coupe have not had some very well built individual cars, but none of those have the overall popolarity of the top three models.

If you want king of customs in a single car, I'm stuck with three that easily could be considered the all time best custom car ever built...
Moonglow chevy,
Hirahota merc,
Royalshifter's newly built Victoria Secret

 

I like the 49-51 Merc, I might be buying one soon, but its not the King. Go check Sledges posts about his 39 and the others he's building and you will see the King of customs.

 

i agree there are some of the earlier mercs, fords. zephyrs are very beautiful from early builds to the modern ones like Sledge is turning out, but overall I still think the 49-51 merc is king. No other style has been replicated, duplicated or copied as those. Then again, it's just my opinion and I'm sure like you others disagree.... Good thing we do because if everyone thought the same way there wouldn't be anything different.

 

Particular car, I would have to say Moonglow, but type goes to the '49 Merc. Of coure I may be a tad biased since I have a 54 hardtop Bel Aire, and my brother has a 49 Merc........

 

There is no such thing as a King of custom! No car that rules them all, masterpieces can turn FUBAR, and bad looking cars can become an icon.

There is some custom icons, like 41-48 mercs, 49-51 merc, shoebox, Lincoln and 50-54 chevys. The list is longere.

Sorry, to rain on your parade.

I bet you every morning, George Barris looks in the Mirror an says; I'm the King of Customs.

 

I'm sure the Barris boys were an inspiration to other customisers and to me they are ''KINGS'' a**** others !

 

Thats exactly what I wanted to hear, just your opinions. I think it would've been an easy choice 40-50 years ago…but there's just too many beautiful cars out there. When you think of that crown…who would wear it. It's a hard choice. Make of a car should not matter, its a craftsmanship (and color) that makes that boat or shoebox stand out.

 

Matranga Merc, Bailon '41 Chevy, Couple of dozen '49-'51 Merc's.

 

49=51 merc

 

It boils down to a matter of opinion like stated before.

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In the forty's , the car most customized was the 41 to 48 fords and mercs, it was later replaced by the 49 to 51 mercs, but if you ask the general public, it's the 49 to 51 merc.

 

This is easy, '49-'51 Mercs... or maybe '53-'54 Chevs, or maybe '49-'51 Fords, or maybe '49-'52 Chevs. ****, is this a trick question or waht???

 

This sort of question will always incite some serious difference of opinion.
Personally Im nearly swayed to cast my vote for the Lincoln Zephyr.
Such amazing lines on that car and as a contender for the crown it would certainly be hard to beat in terms of shear beauty, elegance and bloodline.
However, I think truthfully it certainly boils down to that which has appealed most to the m***es and by far the most recognized by commoner as well as royal follower. The true King of customs is certainly thee....49-51 Merc !