The headlights are pre 63 bug or porsche speedster/550,but thats just not traditional enough for the hamb. How could a car that James Dean was killed in blasting down the road at 100 plus in possibly be traditional?
Those lights may be traditional, but IMO, they don't look good on that car....32 Ford lights are very traditional, but they also would not look good on that car....
I think that is one of the best details of that car. A real professional job with the glass rework and install. Nothing worse than those screwed in place plexi windshields. I liked radical, "squished" cars so I'm almost hesitant to make this one criticism. I wish there was a little more chrome on the car. If there was the original chrome trim that went around the windshield I think it would look even better.
I agree with Paucho, too much of a chop and the headlights look like they are from a newer jeep or something? Otherwise a very nice custom.
I agree that those don't particullary do it for that car. But when you consider the heavly hooded stock headlights that these cars had, I admire his creativity. Compare the two. BB
I think the headlights on the Merc work better than the stock, sticking out like a visor or Neanderthal brow ridge lights did. They flow with the angle of the hood front well. They just don't fit in the "traditional" vocabulary of parts that were used "back in the day". Some people just aren't that anal about it when they build. In the 60's this car would have had the fender sliced off on an angle and some tunnels formed and some Lucas spot lights awkwardly mounted in them to suggest the streamlining that these lights actually do. Like that Ranchero with the chopped off rear end had. I would like to see sone shiny trim around the windshield...and some "brighter" than Black, paint.
I I know most of the cars in this thread are finished. I was just given this car because the previous owner ,Pete, is not doing the best and wanted someone to look over his car. He owned and operated an interior shop out of Cedar Rapids, IA. The car overall isn't in that bad of shape, could be better, went through the flood. It was last licensed in 1962. My plans are to rebuild the engine and get the sucker running. I want to drive it this summer and then start on the repairs. I won't do much to the overall look maybe add 12 more desoto grill teeth because it doesn't have enough. I told him I wouldn't do much to it, I think its a piece of history. Floors are in need of repair so I think I am going to channel it about 2" just enough to cover the frame. Plenty more to be said about it but will leave that for later. I will post better pics as I make progess.
Old enough to have been mounted back then don't mean traditional my friend ! Traditional mean that it had been done back then ... and it hasn't
Poor man's custom. Still only have about 4 grand in her including $900 purchase price with the C-kit, the new engine, resealed trans, radiator, alternator, interior, etc. To save the guessing, I made the skirts out of a spare 55 hood that was rusted out. Frenched pipes dropping out at the front of the skirts are half round gutter from a house. She's a beater, but fun.............
I know this is too new for many of you, but this is the era of kustoms that get me going..mid to late 60's style. Like many of us, the ultimate kustom for me will always be a 1951 Merc or a 1964 Riviera. Mine is still a work in progress, but then again aren't they all? I have high hopes and big plans.
Man o' man is this thread bitchin! Really nice stuff in here! Thought I'd bring it back to life, lets go get some more pics up! Shot of my old Chopshooey! -Shiny
Some from the PoorBoys TN chapter: My new Thunderbird, slated for shiny lime green flake and seaweed flames soon: Junior's mild 60's style Fairlane, he put about a pound of flake on the roof: Roddy's chopped Plymouth, just featured in OSR: Shawn's Bagged Buick, this ones surprisingly fast for a Kustom. Painted by Poorboy Mike (EarlSchieb) Poorboy Sparky's shoebox, he drug this out of a junkyard in Socal when he was 15, about 40 years ago: And last but not least my old Caddy, also painted by Hamber EarlSchieb (thanks again Mike):
Glad this got kicked back up...here's a shot of my '55 "sled". Just got it on the road mid-May...if you want to see the complete build, clik on: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329070&highlight=the+best+55+caddy+build R-
The Jalopy Journal
