Absolutely! Any body know how the '40's customs achieved their stance? Dropped axles started gaining popularity on roadsters in the late '40's I believe, is this also true for the customs, or was that 'not too low' stance all in spring & shackle mods?
Hey CraigR, my 39 Merc has lengthened shackles all the way around. Not super low but this is more of a prewar stance. I think before dropped axle's they used modified shackles and removed or heated the springs.
Haven't seen any pic's of this one. Isn't it an old build that was restored? It was at the Merc Gathering in Sacremento. What's the story on it? Leaving the Primer Nats...
Correct. Derby Ahlstone and a team of craftsman restored this old Coachcraft custom. This car is one of the first (or likely the first) Coachcraft custom built. Derby found the car when he was in his teens, and sat on it until coachcraft cars where the main theme at one of the prestigious US concour. SO Derby decided it was time to start the restoration to debut the car at that event. This is how the car looked when it was not restored... Derby is on the left with his father on the right.
This.thread.rules. THESE cars are why I look at the HAMB. Hot rods are cool too, but customs....man oh man! Here's my lowly contribution....
These Don Montgomery book scan shows the Creasman Coupe with the fade-aways. The car was restored by Bruns Kustoms City... but not finished. Mark Drews bought it like pictured below Worked on it some more and drove it around a lot... And eventually did a complete restoration and added a few of his own details. Kid Duece Photos The car at the Pebble Beach concours... Perhaps my favorite photo of it....
You guys have posted some wonderful pictures. Thankyou. I have no pics to contribute, but I can share something I read years ago..........Dick Bertolucci and Harry Westergard were obviously prolific customizers, and were among the first to apply their skills in this way. They were artists. But apparently, Harry was a perfectionist of the highest degree. I read that when Harry worked for Dick, Dick would frequently get mad at Harry. For what?........For wanting to metal-finish everything!!!No lead required. - Rick
This has to be the most interesting thread on here so far!.I think,we should start a HAMB Custom thread.
Conservative east coast style: 3 by Derham of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. 1947 Chrysler, 1949 Hudson, 1949 Lincoln These photos are from a wonderful website dedicated to the coachbuilding art: http://www.coachbuilt.com/
I think the Conti on the far left is the Frank Loyd Wright Conti that was a special built car from coachcraft.
Lowly contribution? I oughta slap ya!! The Creasman coupe. With all of the other mods I can't help but think it would look better with drip rails and qtr windows. I know that it was preserved as was, but still...anyone else see that?
Quater windows yes. Drip rails no. It is a custom after all. I do think that the upper rear corner of the door should have been rounded though.
No, Im still looking for the history on the car. There was a guy on here that said he had a friend who knew the history but he never got back to me. Im told it was originally a Northern California custom that might have ended up in Texas at some point. If anybody knows any details on the history no matter how small I would really appreciate it! Heres a few more pics.
Great thread! Can anyone I.D. the origin of this tail light lens that was used to place in the bumper guard?
Kevin, I love that 39. Did you buy it after I saw it at the '08 LARS or were you the seller at that show ? Jim
The Green Merc is one of the best proportioned cars ,to my taste,on the post. The dark green highlights the white top as well as black or maroon,and a welcome change.I like it a lot!!!! Keep um coming more more
Thanks, yeah I bought it from a friend who got it at the '08 LA roadster show. He had it about 3 months then decided to sell it so I stepped up. I cant wait to start on it but I got a few project to finish first.
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