That's the one!!!! Choped brand new in '39 it ran 121 at El Mirage in '43 this guy is still around and crazy as loon. I love this piece of history.
Nice thread, here is a great carson topped phaeton built by Wayne Mahaffey from Salem, Oregon. Wayne built the car between 1948-1950, the car is still around today:
I see a common denominator in some of the 40s cars that were done in this era. I've always felt that many independent customizers were inspired by some of these car's big brothers. I see styling cues taken from the 40-48 Continental, Packard Darrins, and some of the advanced Cadillac designs from the post-war time. Knowing what they started with on the Continental, they were channeled and sectioned and leaded, very little chrome, by 41 they used push button door latches, I mean it's all there. The Darrins too. Cut down doors, body channeled over the frame, the early ones used a cast aluminum cowl, no running boards on either the Continental or the Darrin, overall the long nose and short deck theme that when properly executed makes anything look good. The Cadillacs from 42-47,8,9. Not a total fade away fender but the look is there by adding that mass to the door effectively stretching the front and of course the boards are gone for good by then. Once I got to understand the history and in some cases the story and motivations of some of the designers it was pretty clear. By adding just a bit of rebellion or mixing it up with some hot rod thinking the birth of the custom was upon us. Here it is on these pages. I can't be the only one that sees this. Easy to figure that the lowly 12 in the Lincolns coupled with a cost nearly 4 times that of it's siblings just had to spawn something more realistic. You have to toss the Packards and Caddys in there too. More expense than the average enthusiast could handle. This ws better. Most every car here is very pleasing to the eye with great proportions. Some of em are a bit gangly and maybe even over worked, but like the era of 'kustoms' that followed it's a given that not all were works of art. Eye of the beholder and all, the will and vision it took to build these deserves all of the reverence and respect we can give em. Once again what a great post.
A couple years ago I got the chance to tour Jorge Zaragosa's garage in El Paso. Jorge owns the Jack Calori coupe, restored by Brizio...
I've owned 2 radical customs in the last 50 years. This one was purchased from Gib & Terri Scarbourough at the first Merc-Duece Reunion in Kansas City Missouri, I believe in 1982. It was titled as a 1939 Mercury, but I never did a VIN check to see it that what was used in the construction. The history that came with it was all verbal. The story was that it was built in Springfield, MO by a fellow who owned a body shop. It was the only custom he ever built. It started out as a 4 door which was first sectioned, and a '35 hump trunk added. Grill and headlight are late 40's Cadillac. It had a flathead with 2x2's and finned heads. I sold the car in '84 or '85 to a fellow outside Boston. I have never seen it pictured anywhere since. It had to go to make room for the 1930 Rolls Royce Limo with a Hemi in it that I bought at Hershey. it would be interesting to know if anyone in the New England area has seen the car. The first photos were as the car was completed in 1949. The color shots are as it looked in the early 80's.
Intersting car Rich... perhaps not the most attractive. But good to know something about its history. I found this photo online somewhere a few month ago, and always wondered about its history. I guess I should have read the sign a bit better and just send you a PM
Great photo Cleatus. The hubcaps are gorgeous Hard to tell if they have single bar flippers as well. But the many ribs looks great. Thanks for showing
That is an excellent use for the Pines Winterfront. Do you have the photo of '40 with blackwalls in a larger size? That rules!!!
Custom isnt spelled with a "C". Geez...who do you think you are??? Amazing pics and I've been lucky enough to see a few of these cars. Wow. Why cant I have the patience and vision to build one like them!!! :-(
Wow what a great thread! I havent seen alot of these cars before. I think I know what I want after my Lincoln is done.
Here's one I saw at a cruise night in Highwood IL this summer, a 1940 Packard originally customized by Al Fitzpatrick I think in '49... was a feature car in Motor Trend in 1951. Current owner is Joe Bortz of Highland Park IL.
Yes, I've always liked that front end treatment. That's my dad standing next to the car as a little boy. I'll get it in larger size. It may take me a couple days as these pictures are not at my house.
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