The original owner Bob Nordskog was a well-known boat racer and an entrepreneur that loved speed. He built a dual purpose show race car that was out of this world called Asteroid. This car was delivered to Barris Kustoms in 1963 with 10 miles on the odometer. The body was radically transformed and finished off with an extreme metallic paint job.
I stand corrected. I don't get to see them often enough since they don't make it to KKOA Salina anymore. Love the two different 53 Olds' posted above. @straykatkustoms and @loudbang (now don't tell me those are the same car)
Carl Casper built "The Empress" when he was still in high school, and took Best in Show at the first Cobo Hall show in 1961. (Pre-"Riddler Award" era.) Restored by Casper himself (including upholstery), the "Empress" won the Preservation Award at this year's Autorama. Casper built many show cars, including the 1965 AMBR Award winner, "Casper's Ghost" (also 'plush and padded'). Incredibly, he has retained ownership of each and every one!
The Jalopy Journal
