Lets do a thread on Les Cove Auto Body in Hillside N.J. Les built some Kick ass cars like the Fabian Continental 48 Chevy,Don Antonellis 53 Merc,a chopped and sectioned 51 Merc now restored by Manny Bastio of Clark N.J.
The Frenz rules. He should move here and and head a revolution to take over the KKOA . Ill soon email some pics of Bastios 51 Merc.
YES !!! And the first thing I'll do is to ban those pink shirts...ahh,shit,those are the West Coast Customs... Let'em come.
Don't forget the "Fordillac" the Jimmy Nolan owned, with the 39 Buick grill, and filled trunk lid, and Donn Lowe restored for Craighton _____. Was at the Leadsled in Holland, MI. I worked with Jerry Cove, the grandson of the founder, and son of the last great Cove. He worked at Paszik's for a short time, didnt' have any talent for the sort of work that made his grandfather famous. The son, Les Jr., I believe, also was into custom work, though not as proficient as his dad. You could see the transition of the grandfather's work on Manny's Merc, to the son's. Big drop in quality, though it was still pretty good work. Jr. also had chopped a first gen Camaro, and a 60's GTO in his time. There was also a 52-3 Ford running around for a while with the same rolled door tops as Manny's Merc, seemed as if Cove could have built that. The shop is still in the same location, same name, but new management. Do they even know how famous the shop was, way back when????????
Wow, Mark, I pass that shop all the time and I didn't really know much about it. Don Antonelli was the name of my little league coach. Son perhaps? If so think the son has a chiropractic practice on Morris ave here in town. Worthless info, but kin of the Merc.
Yes, that's the car...but it being from Philly makes me wonder if Cove even built it?????? Chris, Don Antonelli ran a tile and carpet business, and was still doing it, out of Elizabeth, up to a few years ago. Perhaps a son? Don would be in his 60's now. Yo, Anthony, you going to Lead East, or what? Need my 51 truck lettered, if the POS makes it there!
I dont think the 39 was done by Cove. Antonellis car was in Rodding and Restyling before and after the chop.
Hey Frenz ,How could you say something bad about doowop when posting a pic of a sleazy ass east coast car like that. Antonelli was probably listening to ''I was wrong " by the Charmers on the Timely record label when that pic was taken!!!
Yeah,Antonelli probably did so but I don't...I wanna hear some bad-to-the-bone 50's Rockabilly and some boppin' Blues...now seriously,let's see some pics of the cars !
Okay,I will let Mr. 00MACK do the talking...that's one mean machine.I like it.Never saw a sectioned and hardtopped 4-door Merc before...cool ! The first pic makes me wanna wipe off my monitor...
This 56 88 was done by Cove for a chick in Maryland named Marlene Jacobs and was featured on the very first issue of Customs Illustrated.
Frenz=good taste in customs, bad taste in music. DooWop rules! I've got some shots of the Fabian Continental. I was planning to do a simpler rendition of it's scallops on my Chevy. Try to digem up this weekend. High School Confidential meets Fabian Continental East meets West style. \Guess you're doing Cook's Party, Anthony. That sucks, you're almost as much a part of that scene as Terry, The Fonze, the Golden Gup, and Chris!
chopolds,I said no more Doo Wop in Paso,not no more Doo Wop at all... please find those pics ! Thanks.
If there's no DooWop in Paso....... I AIN'T GOIN! Not that I've been there at all. I hear Axle is a big fan.
best part is those pics just above that the frenz posted represent the 2nd time that garage door has been opened in a long time the 1st time was to show me the car hahahahaahaha now i think im gonna cry
I think that Manny's merc may be a rare case where the section actually adds to the mystique of the car. it stays in proportion, and the chop is just the right amount. I also like the fact that it doesn't hide that it's a 4 door. It is what it is, and it's a beauty. Also, if anyone cares, notice the Road Lords plaque. Bob Nitti, the co-owner/co-restorer of Barris's Aztek, is a long time friend of Manny's and also a club member if I'm not mistaken. Back me up on this 00Mack
You're right, Joe, but Bob Nitti was also one of the FOUNDING members of the Kustom Knights. So was Barry Mazza, co-owner of the Aztec, builder of the Bettencourt copy, and restorer of the Barris 40 Buick. One of the driving forces behind the second most important custom car club in NJ. (The Renegades are #1!!!!!!!!!) You can do a big write up on all the great cars in the Kustom Knights. Lots of stuff to pick from there! As for the Road Lords, how 'bout Rebel John! A legend! Almost as famous, and great as the legendary Fonzie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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