THANKS very much for posting those pix. It's better than rereading the little old 25 cent custam mags. Man, those guys sure were craftman. Wonder where they are today?
The pics were taken at the Glenmoore Concourse by ChevyGirlRox,she e-mailed them to me.That is the show mentioned in the article where the car was going to be displayed.The promos for the show said that it has not been seen for over 40 years,so,I would say that it IS the original car,NOT the PolyII.
No,it's not...I didn't even realize it when I lately replied to ChevyGirlRox' post "Barris...the legend lives on".Must have been stoned or what... resized the pics to really enjoy them...
Wasn't the Polynesian "updated" a few years after it came to Ohio? I seem to recall a feature on it in one of the little books, I think the taillights were changed, or something... I'm glad to see it was restored to it's original configuration. I have the custom cars annual mag where the buildup of this car was do***ented, there were nearly 40 pages of copy and pictures of the process. The Valley Custom guys were artists of the craft, no doubt... Brian
Here are pics of the car "updated" in the late 50's.I dont know who did it but I bet TheFrenZ or Rikster knows.
That's it...I could live with the frontal enhancement, but those taillights just killed it... kinda like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa or something... Brian
The magazine story doesn't quite add up. It said that Jack Stewart sold the car to Gene Blackwood in the early 60's but according to the Dec '58 "Custom Cars" the car was then owned by Jack Zagray who was the one who did the "update" work to the car. Mr. Zagray addedthe extra bars to the grille and did the fins and '57 plymouth tail lights. Whatever the story, the restoration certainly looks like it turned out great and it is good to see this cl***ic the way it was meant to be! Mick
Kurkle's Body shop in Canton Ohio was responcible for the second version of the Polynesian. It was owned by John Zagray at this time.
I came across some really nice small magazine add's Valley Customs placed in Rod & Custom in the early 50's... They where really funny, especially for those days I guess. The one below was turned upside down in the magazine... And I also found some more pictures of the Ron Dunn sectioned Ford. Some in progress photo's All body work was done and almost ready for paint. Almost done only some final cleanup new wheels and tires, gl*** and an interior And huge succes at the Motorama show.
I was perusing the Main Attractions movie catalog, and noticed this ad... If any of you want to see the ****** Merc. in action, get this movie. Mutt
Dont you love it when someone brings an old post back to the top? Actually, my doing so was prompted by the most recent posting in the Jalopy Journal. I was reading one of the Custom Car coffee table books a while back, I dont remember which one, but anyways, I remember them referencing a Model A or 32 roadster that valley customs did work on. And it had mentioned that it was owned by a customs collector. It was like a pale yellow color, looks like a supercharged Cad or Olds motor... white interior, rolled rear pan, nerf bar in the rear.. the car was in the background of the picture, so it was hard to tell. Does anyone have any more pictures or informaton on this car?
From the Dave Darby Kurt McCormick photo sollection: http://public.fotki.com/DWDarby/kurt_mccormick_coll/
Some more info Started by Bill Hook of LosAngeles CA, finished by Dr. Leland Wetzel, and restored by Kurt McCormick. Dr. Wetzel and his wife drove this roadster across the country with NO TOP.
Did it ever have the Caddy engine while Wetzel owned it? Personally I think it looked better with the flathead, and the what's with the modern motorcycle tires up front?
Rickster, I'm not a big Customs fan myself, but I like & respect the work that went & goes into each & every one. My dad on the other hand likes when the bodies are modified, He had a nearly new 49 merc chopped & dropped with duals & white/sombreros in a mild green back in the early 50's. In the 90's I had a slammed 54 Capri with Appletons,Fiestas & Continental Valve Covers, He liked it more than I did and drove it alot. He misses that ****er, I sold it in like 96. I look over every "Spotlight" feature and look forward to each one for the craftsmanship that was executed to these vehicles. These cars from Valley Custom & the others have made me think many times about the styling & ideas that were being projected to the enthusiast @ the time. I have seen many of these restored versions in person & and feel that they are awesome in metal execution. Thanks for sharing your great knowledge of the Early Custom Era with us.
Great Customs. But a word about the Flint 29' it lived in Burbank for many years with my old pal Duane Kofoed before finally being sold. Also a pretty accurate clone was built by two brothers in southern Indiana. The last I heard the clone now resides in Burbank. Maybe something about Burbank and the Flint car/clone?
Hi Mary Ellen, Glad you got on the hamb after we talked,,,It's a fun place to be. Mad Fabricators will soon tell the story of Ina Mae and Mary Ellen and how this Custom Lincoln (designed by Ina Mae and built buy Valley Customs)Influnced a entire family.
**** RIKSTER!!! those pictures are ****ing GOLD!! . Sweet colection of true era stuff . THANK YOU SO MUCH Buzz bomb
Unbelievable stuff,great pics.How great it must have been in that era of customizing to be able to witness progress in customs
Hello gt350lady (Mary) Thank you for posting the link to those absolutley fantastic photo's of your mothers 52 Lincoln. Its so great tos see these very good quality color photo of that great custom. I'am am lookin foreward to see more photo's pu on tho that website. Please inform us when you do so. I hope that the restoration on the 52 Lincoln will starts soon and that who restores it keeps us updated as well. Thank you Evel for conecting gt350lady with the Hamb... Rik
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