1952-59 Ford What if MY car was YOUR car...?

Eric, is this the type of pinstriping you refer to? This is a 53 Mainline on the bay. Definitely not my flavor of a painjob.

 

Yes...and no. Striping was a very fluid art in those days. Some was very, very good...but most was not. Even the "superstars" of the day like Von Dutch and Dean Jeffries were all over the map in terms of style...and quality. Some of Dutch's stuff stank! Jeffries was better, but went through periods where is stuff was pretty "out there" as well.

Most of the good examples I've found are in the "little books" are are so small that they fall apart when scanned. Remember, in those days magazines used a very, very crude "dots per line" screening and were printed on cheap paper, like newsprint, and have bled over the years.

But you're on the right track. The best '50s striping consisted of self-contained patterns of modest size, placed center front and center rear, sometimes incorporating trim or key holes, sometimes not.

I'll keep looking...

 

I saw these also from sickboymesa in our group... 54 Mainline

 

You should see Joe's (sickboymesa) car in person. Super clean car. And if I'm not mistaken, he pinstriped the car himself. Love the spade on the rear. Little does he know, I might have him stripe my car when its done.

 

I have seen it in person also,see his album for more pics, striping on the 1/4 panels is awesome too.

 

I love Sickboymesas car. Since I can't afford chrome, mine might end up looking like that.

 

There is also some striping in Doll Kustoms album
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=15469

 

Whew! Finally finished the Photoshop of my car with Eric's suggestions- lots and lots of work, but I figured out a couple new tricks along the way. I've been staring at it way too long to have an objective opinion, but i think that it will definitely help me decide what I will eventually choose to do.

I could not successfully insert different taillights and from this angle it would have been tough to put the stock steelies on with hubcaps. I should be able to achieve the wheels from the pic with the different angle. Also, the car is lower now than in the picture, but was tough to lower from the angle of the picture.



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Wow! What a difference cleaning it up makes! I know that lots of the guys like the antennas, bumper guards, emblems and handles left on the car, Scott, but I sure like it smoothed off as in the photoshopped version. Lowered and with period-correct wheels and tires, I think you could leave it just the way it is here. No reason to restyle the taillights, headlights...unless you want to.

I have really enjoyed reading the feedback on this thread. Every one projects a slightly...or not so slightly...different opinion about the ideas we've put forward and about what you should actually do. Absolutely proves that individual thought is still alive and well...on this site, at least.

Nice work!

 

Ok, to see them together, here is a before and after shot

 

Wow, what a difference smoothing everything makes! I love the new look of it. Kind of how I was gonna do my 4 door before it got hit. Looks good both ways, but I personally like the photoshopped verson better. But, thats just my 2 cents worth of nonsense.

 

I went back and looked at them next to each other today. I have to say the original version looks incredibly gaudy to me now. I never thought it looked that bad before, but now all of the little things stick out like a turd in the proverbial punchbowl- yikes! I'm going to have to find a local HAMBer who wouldn't mind mentoring me in the art of shaving handles and doing metal work. Crossing my fingers...

 

Well, nothing's going to get done on my ride in the foreseeable future- one of our dogs got hit by a car tonight. Son of a ***** driver braked for a second and then took off. There's a special place in hell for people like that. Just got back from the emergency vet and spent my last $1000. The bill's gonna go up tomorrow. Do they let you pick your own bed at the poorhouse?

Sorry for the rant, I just had to vent a little.

 

Man, I am sorry to hear that, Scott! I'm glad your dog has survived, and will pray for him to heal completely. I know how fond you are of your little guys. PM if I can help.

 

Sorry about the dog Scott. I know I personally put my dog before my car also hope you find the SOB that took off

 

Thats horrible man, hope your dog heals up.
Your car will come around, just with time.

 

Great news! Some kind of miracle happened and our pooch managed to come out of it with no broken bones or internal injuries. I can't believe it, he got hit by a car going at least 25 and it was a really awful sight. We have him on anti-inflammatory and pain meds, but he seems to be on the mend.

Sorry for the deviation from topic, and thanks for the kind words fellas. Onward and upward.

 

I am so very happy for you that your dog came out OK ! I know what they mean to you because I have 2 little guys myself . They're our babies and they are the best company ! They sleep with the wife and me . They are 20 & 25 lbs each . They are like little kids and when something goes wrong or they get hurt , it's just like your own kids when they got sick or hurt . I don't know what kind of dogs you got but mine are my best friends besides my wife . They enjoy sitting in our laps or when I put the foot rest up on my Lazy boy the one will cry until I move my legs to one side so he can jump up and curl up to sleep next to my legs . Then in the morning when the wife goes to work I rest in my lazy boy with my feet up . The one gets all settled in at my feet and the oldest one comes up near my stomach and curls up and sleeps . They are my lap buddies . They are 10 & 12 years old . The oldest that sleeps on my lap has bad legs and his joints give him trouble so we kept telling him to stop jumping down off their couch that is all covered up for them . His joints are bad due to him getting tick fever about 8 to 9 years ago and I am very great full he pulled out from that one . Most don't . The Dr tells us the Lyme disease effects his joints . He still has a very strong heart and the Dr tells us he will be around for a good while yet . I worry about then because they are both getting old , just like us .
Anyway better stop running on about my baby boys as we say !
Really glad that your's is doing very well .

That ******* that hit your dog and took off will pay one day . GOD will have a special place for him one day ! He will pay for running off like that . Keep an eye out because I bet you will see the guy and car again . His day will come .

Jim

 

Thanks Jim! I have been told by quite a few folks that people don't stop because they don't want to be held liable for any injuries. Well, our dog got off of the leash which relieves them from any liability, but I think that any decent human being would have comp***ion and stop to see if they could help in any way. My 2 cents.