The Best Custom Material of 1964…

I was just reading about the Ford Mustang approaching it’s 50th anniversary in the Spring of next year. Hard to believe that the ubiquitous Stang is a half of a century old! Obviously 1964 is a critical year for American cars as the ‘early 65’ (or ’64 1/2) Mustang is considered the first muscle car, and signaled the ending a style era in many ways (hence many traditional custom car shows requiring ’64 and older vehicles). If you don’t think 1965 was a big design change year, just compare the ’64 and ’65 Chevy models like Impala or Corvair, for example. Besides the Buick Riviera, I can’t think of too many models that got prettier or more elegant that year. So with 1964 arguably being this ‘swan song’ year for Detroit’s finest, what were the best cars for custom fodder in my opinion? Cars that look good with little modification:

1.  1964 Cadillac Coupe deVille- Last of the tail-finned Caddys! The split egg crate grille, convex rear bumper tips and implied ‘convertible top bows’ pressed into the steel roof… What a luxurious charmer.

2. 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente- The one-year-only styling was more unique than a Falcon that year. The ‘Hot’ Comet was stacked with quad headlamps, rocket-shaped side spears and the bulletproof 289 V-8.

3. 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL 2 door hardtop. Concave side panels, clean horizontal front end, and the last of the big round taillights. Just lower it, de-chrome, and go!

4. 1964 Lincoln Continental. Another ‘last year’ model, before it lost a bit of the original design elegance. ’64 models had the last of the fine mesh grille with vertical bars, and the last of the Kennedy era vibe.

5. 1964 Pontiac Catalina or Grand Prix. The 120″ wheelbase models that year were so well proportioned, sitting right between the compact Tempest and big Bonneville. This was the last year before the Pontiac ‘hips’ got all curvy and bulging, and the quad headlights were still nicely tucked in their bezels. The ’64 Poncho’s felt sleek, low and menacing.