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Customs Mystery '37

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Aug 18, 2010.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

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  2. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    I have first seen this photo on the AHRF site as part of the Tom Davis Collection. But as you can see below it does not provide you with any info on the car or where it was photographed.

    [​IMG]

    Somebody once told me he had seen this car (possibly same photo showing the complete car in one of the Tex Smith books - possibly "the History of Hot Rodding part I". But I only have issue II so I have no way to check this. Perhaps somebody else with the first issue can check for this car and see if there is more info about it.... I really would love to see more as well.
     
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  3. SUHRsc
    Joined: Sep 27, 2005
    Posts: 5,093

    SUHRsc
    Member

    I've seen it in a book, can't think which one off the top of my head...
    my guess would be Al Drake or Montgomery's....or the history book Rik mentions...
     
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  4. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    I admit it sure is an odd duck. Wonder if it was the result of piecemeal modifications with no forethought about the overall result. The work appears to be l above entry level but the design is really lacking.

    Frank
     
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  5. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    Never seen a car wear a toupee before!
     
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  6. koolkemp
    Joined: May 7, 2004
    Posts: 6,005

    koolkemp
    Member

    It reminds me of a car in Al Drakes book that I have ...I think he parted it out or something along those lines , I will try and find the book when I get home tonight.
     
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  7. Steve Hedke
    Joined: Sep 28, 2005
    Posts: 74

    Steve Hedke
    Member

    That look would work if the trunk lid carried the same line as the top right down to the bumper, like a sedanette.
     
  8. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,829

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    well... who'da thunk it... messed up chops are traditional.
     
  9. shmoozo
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 671

    shmoozo
    Member
    from Media, PA

    I think the roof line is kinda swoopy. I wonder what the car looked like in the rear portion that we can't see and how well the roof line blended into the back end of the car.
     
  10. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    I've second or third the Al Drake connection. He did a story about that or a very similar car in one of his columns in Rod Action in the late eighties or early nineties. My day today is kinda messed up, so I don't know that I will have time to dig today, but I will this evening. Can't be too many with that roof line. You gotta remember too that until the mid seventies or so, the '37 and '38 Ford offerings were not held in high esteem. For the most part, they were just looked at fodder for stock car jalopy racing. My point being, back in the forties when this was done, it would have been no big deal, and maybe even done as a joke!
     
  11. I to recall seening a picture of this car and definetly recall its odd top shape. I have wondered if its odd styling was due to the fact the car is a rebirth of a car destroyed by a fallen tree or a roll-over, a common of-the-day accident. Isn't it funny what a little time can do for the looks of something.... good or bad.
     
  12. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    Well I checked through both of Tom medley's books, Hot Rod History 1 and 2, and it's not in either. As I said earlier, I know I have it a Rod Action mag somewhere, so I'll check when I can.
     
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  13. Skankin' Rat Fink
    Joined: Jun 18, 2006
    Posts: 1,496

    Skankin' Rat Fink
    Member
    from NYC

    The roof line doesn't look bad to me ... not from that photo. The way it meets the trunk could make or break it.
     
  14. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    Drake book, the 1950's rodder one. I think the same one...roof carried all the way back, kinda almost worked visually and could probably have been made into an interesting design with development by someone more talented than whoever did it.
     
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  15. No I dont think that, at least it is not the car in Albert Drake's book "Street was fun in 51". The car in that book, it was named "the Beast", is a 35 coupe with a 37 front. That car is sectioned but the roof is less chopped and it have driprails.
     
  16. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    Did anybody search for the book this car was in, and perhaps found it?
    I would love to see the complete car.
     
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  17. adam401
    Joined: Dec 27, 2007
    Posts: 2,856

    adam401
    Member

    The posted photo sure does hint towards an awkward side profile but that side window is interesting. I love the shape and cant help but wonder what little of the roof you can see would look like on a sectioned car with the fenders raised.
     
  18. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Kinda looks like it was influenced by the '40 Aussie 'slant'. (then chopped...)
     

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