A dear friend of ours, Marty Martino, has just completed the Re-creation of the Club De Mer. It is going to AZ to the Barrett-Jackson Auction. Here is the link to see some shots taken by Dallas Gregory Photography of this Amazing build! Marty has talent coming out the ..... Who ever buys this car is one lucky SOB !! It is stunning !! http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/search.aspx?st=1&aid=283&d=01/13/2009
Year 1959 Make PONTIAC Model CLUB DE MER Style 2 DOOR ROADSTER RE-CREATION Exterior Color BLUE Interior Color RED Cylinders 8 Engine Size 389 Transmission 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC Summary Built by Marty Martino with a fully functional 389 engine, automatic transmission, power steering and leather. Details During the 1950's, General Motors produced the Motoramas which were intended to showcase the current models. But the real stars of the shows were the "Futuristic Dream Cars", styled under the direction of Harley Earl. No car defined the Motorama experience more than the 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer. But sadly, it was no more than a non-running mockup and was ordered destroyed in late 1958. Up from its ashes is this one-off totally functional re-creation based on a 1959 Pontiac. It is powered by the '59's Strato Streak 389 engine along with its Jetaway Hydro-Matic. The OEM-style ch***is is built using mid-sized Pontiac suspension clips with custom boxed rails. The body's inner structure is all steel, utilizing the 1959's inner doors, jambs, cowl sections, hinges and latches, augmented with square tubing. This has formed the basis for the one-off's authentically sculpted fibergl*** outer body, replicating the design by Pontiac's Paul Gillian, giving the car that familiar General Motors solid feel. It features many unique details crafted just for this car including bumpers, lights, and interior components. Other features are the gl*** smooth Cerulean Blue paint, mimicking the original's metallic surface by Finish Masters expert Richard James, along with vermilion vat-dyed leather-covered custom-built bucket seats and the chrome finish on the one-off trim parts by Razor-Tec. This recently constructed creation is built by Marty Martino. It is the result of 3 intense years of work fueled by a p***ion for futuristic dream cars coupled with an art background and 40+ years of automotive sculpting and custom car building
Damn how the h@ll did you get them, I tried. Thanks !!! __________________ My Keyboard will kick the **** out of your Keyboard ... I guess that is TRUE ! lol
Wow. If that was made totally from scratch, that is pretty impressive. Probably made better than the original. That won't be cheap.
The original was destroyed in 1958, it is totally from scratch! Impressive, YES, you should see her in person, OMG, incredible! We will have a feature story on it soon in Still Runnin Magazine.
damn that is sweet. i dig '50's concept cars anyway, and the Club De Mer is one of my favorites by far. the Lincoln Futura runs first place, but the original is long gone (into the Batmobile) even though 'gl*** repop bodies are available. this baby looks every bit the part. i LOVE the sculpturing and detail worked into it, and the idea that a REAL Buick is the basis. i can even dig the single fin! where is that damn lottery ticket.....
FYI....little little link or two I ran across... http://www.huffreport.com/2007/martymartino.htm http://blogs.highperformancepontiac.com/6222249/pontiac-news/pontiac-show-car-club-de-mer/index.html From the Hi-Po Pontiac website...
lol that is MY FAVORITE pic of MARTY !! He can sculpt, that is FOR SURE ! Mark I knew you'd like this one. I would like to all get together somewhere and watch this baby roll across the stage with a BIG screen TV somewhere! I wish it didn't have to go ... speaking of lottery tickets !
WQ59B asks ... "Curious as to what evidence you've seen/heard about that told the CdM was destroyed in '58." In answer .... The original Club De Mer never had a drive train, it was not a running car. According to GM records, it was retired from GM's display and destroyed in '58. You may have also noticed that the original has a seam where the rear deck lid would open and serve as the truck, however, there are No pictures of the trunk actually open, so it is doubtful that the truck was functional. On the re-creation, built by Marty Martino, the rear deck does open to reveal a carpeted trunk. BTW this car is licensed & ***led as a 1959 Pontiac Club De Mer by the Common Wealth of Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles.
Does Marty Martino have his own website or an Email address, I would like to put the car on my website and would like to ask permission.
Talented guy! Did he just use pictures for a guide,or was there build blueprints? Not like you can just pull a mold from the original.