Hey Guys and Gals, I mentioned in my intro post that I would post up some information about a mild custom I brought back to life. For those hoping it was older, sorry and of course, I said it was MILD not WILD. It’s named the Hun. When I bought it, it was clapped out and need of a total redo. I tried to remain true to the original build back in 1960 as I brought this car back to life. It was first built in 1960 by a man in Columbus Ohio that worked at the old Curtiss Wright aircraft factory. This plant was eventually bought by North America Aviation. North American produced the F-86 Sabre fighter jet and later the F-100 Super Sabre fighter jets at that plant. This individual of course was fascinated by the Jet Age and the front line fighter jets that he worked on every day. He bought the Hun new in 1955 but by 1960 thought it needed a restyle. Since this was the Jet Age, he decided to bring features of the planes he loved into the restyle to create the Hun. The car was nosed, decked and shaved as every mild custom should be to clean up the unnecessary trim items Ford sent it out the door with. It was lowered four inches in front and three in the rear to give it a slight rake. The grill recalls the elliptical air intake of the F-100 Super Sabre. Placing the air intake at the front of the F-100 allowed for a more streamlined fuselage and it helps clean up the front of the car too. The tail lights he selected to look like the hooded exhaust of the F-86 Sabre. The hubcaps were meant to look like the jet turbine exhaust of these front line fighters that produced enough power to break the speed of sound. The exhaust uses functional cutouts that are tucked behind the front wheels with ribbed caps and must be unbolted when a little extra power is called for. It gives that unique Y-block exhaust note a bit more volume to let people know what its running. The 292 Y-Block is backed with a three speed overdrive and the 4.11:1 rear axle. Since customs are for getting the girls, the trunk was upholstered and incorporates this emblem that works in several ways. It recalls a gunsight, aircraft wings and/or “V” for victory. So, let me know what you think. Did he pull off an aircraft inspired custom update of his daily driver back in the day or not?
Great looking car, the only part that doesn't fit the build to me is the big modern blue oval emblem in the grille.
Ya beat me to it. Nice looking Ford though. I like that upholstery work with the fender emblem, nice detail.
Beautiful car, I agree the emblem is out of place, but my opinion and 5 bucks will get ya a cup of coffee. Dan
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