History The California Rake

I don't know why exactly, but when I see a low 50's - early 60's car with a slight forward rake, something happens to me and I get crooked smile on my face. I think it looks so right.

Do you agree with me? Do you also like this look? Please share your favorite examples, past or present, your own car or someone else's.

 

Yeah, I'm a sucker for a nice rake.

rear view by 55Brodie posted Jul 11, 2013 at 7:37 AM

 

Canadian style.............

 

Carolina Shine runner rake.

 

They get better gas mileage because they are always rolling down hill.

 

Heres an older pic of my wagon. Love a raked out stance.

 

I suspect our individual preferences depend on what sort of style first turned our crank when we was youngn's. I'm not too fond of the backward rake that some custom fans think is mandatory, but that's what makes the world turn I guess. I did this wagon a few years back and thought it looked pretty okay.......

 

for your crooked smile - is it something Elvis used to do?

 

Yup

 

Love raked cars. I hope this thread gets huge.

Rocky, I remember when that 55 was for sale - wish I had bought it!

Watson '60 Ford pics courtesy Kustomrama.

 

The pic is too dark but this is the first one that came to mind. My friend of 50+ years...Bob

 

Yes

and Yes!

 

I've always liked that look too, and there are some nice ones here.

 

Absolutely! This isn't everything I've driven over the last 60 years, but it's close:

 

My old race car.

 

Carolina rake. HRP

 

Some great examples so far! However, as much as I like hot rods and race cars and what not, this is the "Traditional Customs" section. Just sayin.

 

^^^^ Your mean!! I want to play! Pete

 

Yep, I'm with Strittan. This style is tge preserve of late 50s and early 60s. Too much forward rake tho and suddenly it's a hotrod or streetcar.
It's like saying "a long haired punk" or a "hippie with a mohawk". Sumthin not quite right.
To me a custom is level or motorboating. And to me a traditional custom is pre 53.
Possibly cos in 53 with the release of the Corvette, Fiesta, Skylark and Eldo, suddenly Detroit was in the customs business.

 

I love the look of a raked car. Just about all the cars I've had over the years had some form of rake.

 

I'm more of a hardtop guy myself, but dude, that's one good looking 55! Holy F...

 

Another Watson work of art, courtesy of Custom Car Chronicle.

 

Last year rear rake, this year front rake . Going to stick with the new look.

 

Here's looking at 'ya!

 

Bass Akwards......for the left coast..........

 

Hmm yep that car looks familiar and yes the rake was good!

 

Hmmm, I responded on the HAMB area not Trad Customs.

 

Yeah, om not sure what happened. I posted in the customs section but It shows up in the HAMB area as well. Sorry.

 

I responded on the main H.A.M.B. board too, never noticed the "Traditional Customs" part of it... so I fixed my post.
I still like the "California rake" though...