I've been a longtime fan of the Andy Kassa coupe, the New Jersey '32 that, along with the Catallo Deuce, set the standard for "the Sixties Look" custom rod. A while back I made a post looking for a set of its killer "Italian air cleaners" mentioned in various articles, and lo and behold I got a message from Bob Bracken, who was on the team that restored the Coupe for Pebble Beach a few years ago. Bob sent me these great recent pics, and an old advertisement for those air cleaners. Bob also says he will be taking the coupe to the LA Roadster Show (it was invited as one of the "Great 75" most influential Deuces). Enjoy!
Very Cool! It's funny cause I was just looking at some old pics of it a few seconds ago, before I saw this post.
I'm hoping I can walk around a little bit at that show. It's what is driving me at the moment. If I get tired, I'm going to nap in lownslow's display like a crying baby doll.
In the mid sixties this car was on display in the front window of a Body shop in north Jersey. I used to have to the area for work and often stopped to look at the car. Glad it is still around.
Dood glad to hear you surgury went well we were praying for you!!..you can hang at my booth too..will get you wheel chair and push you around...
I assume (and hope since I'll be there) that he means the Grand National Roadster Show, correct? If it's the LA Roadster show I'll be 6 months early Dennis
Great car, I knew of it before restoration, and followed the work along as it progressed. As for the air filters, a local customizer (Bob Barkoff) simulated those air cleaners on one of this cars by just welding up some pieces of exhast tubing, and putting aftermarket small round filters on the ends. Pretty easy is you look at it. Just have to pay for the plating, if you don't use stainless.
Got a call fron Bob yesterday ...Going to over 2nite with Blue Deuce to a private shindig for the final go west .. I will take some pics for anyone interested
That is a beautiful car. I can't imagine owing one like it myself even if I had the cash but it is a beautiful car. There is just something about the '60s show cars that has always floated my boat.
I'm probably the only one, but I like the look of it a lot better with the deuce shell on it. But given it's history and notariety, if I had it in my possession I would keep it true and leave the space ship grille shell on it. Either way its a great car.
When we did the car over, Andy wanted the car painted red and he also wanted the Barris made " Cylcops " grill shell. I ,along with all of the guys in on the restoration , agree that the it looked best with the '32 shell ,but it was still his car , so we did it his way. The car was restored by members of the Meadowlands Street Rods free of charge. Andy paid for the parts and the beer ! Mike , thanks for posting the pics. I will try to get a picture of the T-Bird to post.
I love the Cyclops grille shell! I think it predates any of the wild grilles on Roth's show cars. Bob, thanks for sharing the pics and let me know if you need assistance posting the T-bird photos.
I'm with you on this one;I think that grille shell belongs on a bubbletop car but not a Deuce.I remember seeing that car years ago(I think in Hartford Connecticut at one of Frank Maratta's shows)and it was beautiful!Loved the severe channel job. Looking at the pic of it with the 'Bird it made me think that he must have had to buy a PAIR of those headlights and needed to use the other one on something.IMO Aysmmetrical styling is nice but only when it is done properly.
Great shots Al Looks like my buddies the Whinesteins (North Jersee Inspectors) made it They put a lot of time and effort into that car to get it to the Left Coast once, and now it gets to go again! See you in Pomona, Dennis PS Was Andy more vertically challenged than you?
Tried out the new camera that nite ..not too bad on it test run. Had to retire the old baby ...18K shots .
Cool! My dad remembers that car from when it still had the deuce grille. I think I have some pictures of it somewhere.
>>> Dunno if this is the right place for it or not, but just in case anyone's still looking for new reproductions of these Continental style aircleaners, they're finally -after almost two years - available. It was a painstaking project and the pattern box was a complicated bitch, but the end result was well worth it. Made in the USA by the elves at Muroc Carb with stainless hardware and brass screens. Put on your shades before you PM me for pictures. Wake up and smell the aluminum! <<<
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