Kustoms of 1982

I recently scanned some pics of cars I photographed at a few events back in 1982. i wanted to share them with everyone here on this board.

i love custom cars and someday have a few myself. I went to as many shows as I could in those days. Here are the fruits of those outings.

One thing that is always on my mind when looking at old pics is 'Where are they now". What happenend to these cars. I know they change hands, get redone, get hit by trains, and people pass and their loved ones just lock 'em away in storage.

It's just that at certain periods in time, a car will show up at summer full of runs or shows, make a big splash and then disappear. They make a few mags and then*****, gone. This always has fascinated me for some reason.

Anyway, these following pics are from the KKOA Nationals in Des Moines, Ia. and the Mid Century Mercury Club Memorial Day show in Kenosha, Wi. circa 1982. Enjoy!

Joel

Batter up: Extra clean and smooth Shoebox, KKOA '82

 

Look how long and lean this car is , even without a chop.

 

Nice yellow Merc. This made the cover of Classics & Customs that year. KKOA '82

 

This white and scalloped Merc made many mags that year too. I saw it at many shows. Where is it now? KKOA '82.

 

My favorite year Mercs are '51's. I love this one. I'm always a*****er for extended rear quarters and those taillights.

 

Gorgeous****!

 

I've got a bunch of old issues of Classics and Customs too. One of my favorite cars ever was Lee Pratt's purple 'flake Buick and The Crimson Skull Buick.
I've been into Kustoms ever since English Rod and Custom did an article on Mercs in '79.

Yeah Peter Pan I wonder where all those 'second wave' Kustoms disappeared to.

 

Another orange Merc, this time with scallops. This car was later repainted Black w/gold scallops. Kenosha '82.

 

Nads I'm with ya. I dig your ride too!

Nice side shot!

 

Slick and clean Vicky! KKOA '82

 

Traditional '48. High School Confidential time.

 

Here's a car that was a real crowd pleaser for a few years at runs. Made a few mags too. This car had hydros all around. Ohio based car and the owner was a cool guy. Who sez '60's cars don't look good in wide whites. I loved this car.

 

Last one for now. Gotta appointment, I will post more this afternoon.

Joel

 

Ok, this will be the last one. Later!

Joel

 

Thanks for the pics!

That first black '50 Ford coupe makes me want to hurry up and paint mine shiny black. It looks like it was a super-nice car.

 

dig that chicks big**** hair and denim jacket in the background

 

Hey Byron, (Merc50) post the stuff you had in the '80's...and no, I don't mean your spiked pink mohawk.

 

Very cool pics man. Proves my point...simple and clean never goes out of style.

Nice,
monkey

 

Super post!!!!!

This shoebox is one of my all time favorite rides. Here is a picture that was in a mag years ago with Caddy Caps.

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

Just goes to show that good taste NEVER goes out of style. This car would be KILLER today as well as 20 years ago.

I would love to own it.

Well...it's black and has red on the wheels


.

 

I do remember seeing pics of the black shoebox with caddy caps like straycat posted. But I remember the orange Merc with gold scallops even more. I loved that car in my younger days. I believe it was hemi powered. And had "no hydraulics" stickers in the 1/4 windows.

 

I have this***** magazine that was put out by Larry Flynt years ago that had a whole article on Kustoms. It was really killer with great photos, that orange Merc with the scallops was in it.
I don't remember the name of the mag at all, I'll see if I can find it, I think it only lasted one or two issues.

 

We're back, I'm glad ya liked it so far. I got more, here goes:

Here's a nice '60 Chevy. Ya know if ya seen a car done like this back then at a cruise night or run, everyone would say, "Oh, What a nice nostalgia ride.". Hopefully today it's considered normal in our segment of the car culture.

 

I liked this El Camino back then and thought the builder had some Balls to run around like that. Now i think he was quite a "Visionary".

Who would'a thought 22 years later.............

 

Here's a chopped Safari I saw at many runs in the early '80's. The car was a little rough but, a real cool looking cruiser. Where is it now?

 

Now this a ride I really liked! I saw this car qiute a few times and always loved how it was done. Some others thought it had too much, and I admit the car had alot going on. It was done nice and had very many '50's type stuff done to it and it worked for me.

 

Very clean '56 Chevy, Done up '50's style. This car was clean!

 

Last but, not least. A cool, way ahead of it's time C-Dan. It was in the spectator lot. I would love to see this at the Pile-Up this year. Where did it go?

 

Is that all of the pictures? I was hoping for more. I remember seeing most of these either at shows or in magazines. Very cool stuff, thanks for sharing.

 

This is scary.I think you stole my pictures from Des Moines.We went in 82,83 in Ohio,84 back in Des Moines,I think.George the Chili King...ahhhhh..What I remember is several finished Mercs,shoeboxes,etc.,with price tags of 5000-5500...Not cover cars,but some damn nice sleds...A chopped turquoise 49-50 ford for 5K,a chopped maroon Merc for 5500.I also remember the 19 hour drive home to Tennessee.Funny how we go to the far away shows sometimes,and I can't get to the Nats South due to work,and it's only 25 miles from me..I also remember that the orange Merc had a Hemi in it,too.