Custom Builder Doug Thompson, who knows where he is? (PICS)

[Rikster]

I have not heard much from Doug Thompson the great custom car builder from many years ago. He build some really interesting custom cars and probably his most "famous" was the Hirohata Mercury clone.
The last thing I read about him was him mentioning he would be working on some cars for a customer who was not really into showing his cars to the public (which was a shame since they seamed to be very interesting custom projects) after that I read some where he was very ill? That was several years ago, and since then... no news.
I hope he is still around, and still working on some great custom cars. I really liked what he was creating.

Here are some of his custom cars.

The Hirohata merc clone he build for Jack Walker




50 Ford convertible build for Ed Guffey with chopped Carson style top, 51 Lincoln grille, extended hood, some heavy body sculptering... it won the Harry Bradley Design award in 1988.





49 Chevy with some absolutely stunning lines. Now owned by Jack Walker, and the first Harry Bradley design award winner in 1986.









41 Ford convertible with chopped Carson style top, sectioned body, '50 Buick fade away fenders. 50 Mercury grille opening with 63 Corvette grille/bumpers, horizontal placed 41 Studebaker taillights. The only thing I dont really like about this custom is the wheel/tire choice, but that is really personal. I really like the new hood line where the top of the fenders are now part of the hood.








And another Harry Bradley award winner (1990) build by Thompson is the for Richard Raty build '47 Packard. Some very intersting styling done to this exceptional custom. The half sectioning, long peak running on the roof combined with upside down rear window and Hudson? taillights create such elegance.








and an overview from a couple of his customs. The lavender 50 Merc was build for himself and featured some interesting styling with huge side pipes and no fender skirts to create a tough looking custom.





Does anybody know more about Dough Thompson and where he is today?

Rikster

http://public.fotki.com/Rikster

[mr57]

His cars are drop dead gorgeous. Was wondering, though, is it just me or does the upside down window in the Packard look like a fat guy like me sat on it just above the glass line. Sort of concaved in. Noticed that years ago. Could be just the pics. Other than that those cars, all of them are flawless. Pure fluid 'poetry in motion'. The overall design and execution are darn near perfect.

[chopolds]

I'm also a big fan of Doug's work. I was at the Leadsled Spectacular when he debuted Walker's Hirohata Merc, and still remember the sensation it caused!
I had also been at the succeeding ones, where he brought the 4 other cars.
I know he had been ill for quite a while, but last word I heard, he was on the mend.
A great man.

[oldandkrusty]

Rikster, I too would be interested in learning more about what is happening with Doug Thompson. His work is absolutely exquisite. I especially like the Packard. I got a major case of the slobbers when I first saw it at Columbus. It was parked not to far from where I had stashed our '34 Olds, which meant in a non-power parking slot. I just couldn't stop going back and further eye-balling this drop dead gorgeous car. There wasn't a thing on it that I would have even considered changing. Everything PERFECT! I would love to know where thast car is today. If I could, I would trade my '48 Caddy convert in a heartbeat. Ohmigosh, there I go again, slobber, drool! Thanks again for reminding me of Doug's work.

[59BuickWagon]

The owner of the 58 Impala also had a 40 Ford coupe and used to go to all the Street Rod Nationals. Damned if I can remember his name. i do remember him telling me that Doug was the hands and talent behind a famous customizer but never got any credit. Can anyone confirm that story and fill in the blanks?

Thanks,

Dennis

[40StudeDude]

Last I heard Doug was very sick and not doing well...some kind of respiratory illness...and had to stop building cars...have not heard if he ever got better or is still the same...he is THE master craftsman...I wish him all the best.

R-

[fab32]

Why doesn't someone here take the time to find out how he is doing. Someone must have the connections to get the story.
Frank

[Rikster]

Thanks all for responding. I sure hope somebody will be able to locate him and that he is doing ok.

Here are a few more photo's of his fantastic craftmanship.


Taillight detail of the 49 Chevy




Chrysler grille with custom ends in a what looks like a 50 Merc grill suround. The smooth bumper with molded license plate guard is a work of art.




Perfect custom, perfect setting




Very stylisch interior on the packard




And some bare metal photo's scanned from a Street Rodder article. I sure do like the wide white a lot better than the narrow 60's styled tires the car has now.




The rest of the Street Rodder article




Anybody having more photo's of his custom creations?

[Rot 'n Kustom]

[ QUOTE ]
I do remember him telling me that Doug was the hands and talent behind a famous customizer but never got any credit. Can anyone confirm that story and fill in the blanks?


[/ QUOTE ]

Ray Farhner - According to a Rod & Custom article from the early nineties, Doug Thompson WAS Ray Farner. Farhner was a pseudonym which Thompson used for some reason.

Below is a cover shot of the Farhner Eclipse roadster pickup.

The Ratty Packard is my absolute favorite modern custom. It's perfect: beautiful flowing lines, rich interior, great color, unique design, and unmistakably a Packard.

Dave

[TheFrenZ]

I saw this pick-up many,many years ago at the Essen Motor Show here in Germany.This car and some other Customs were part of the L&M (cigarettes) tour across the globe.
Sorry,new news regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Doug Thompson though...

[RocketDaemon]

shoebox with carson top

NOT an lincoln grille

that seems like an 1954 chryser imperial grille (1 and only year before imperial got to be a brand of its own if im not misstaken, iow in 1954 the imperial was called chrysler imperial, correct me if i am wrong)

[fatty mcguire]

That 49 Chevys awesome never seen anything like it...

[Jive-Bomber]

Doug and his wife Nita used to babysit my sister and I in the early 70's, when I lived in KC, Mo. They were good friends with my dad- Crazy part was that I had no idea who he was or what he did when I was little- They were just family friends with a pool and an iguana!!

Doug moved south of Kansas City and has done a good job of laying low- I try to track him down when I visit, but haven't had any luck yet.

jay

[MIKE-3137]

The 49 Chevy is breathtaking..I've never seen it before, man what a car..

[Rikster]

Yes you are right the grille on the Blue Ford is indeed a 54 Chrysler and not an 51 Lincoln as I mentioned. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Rikster]

I just found another photo of the Lavender Mercury... not the best quality, sorry for that.
I remember reading that the paint was pearl lavender over a maroon (candy?) base. The taillights where from a 49 Lincoln.

[Rikster]

Thanks to all who responded so far.

I have found a few more photo's of Doug Thompson's custom cars.

Some better pictures of His 50 Mercury. It has a '55 dodge grille and not a DeSoto item as I mentioned earlyer (brain fade).





Ultra cool taillights are from a 61 Corvette




two more of his 50 Ford convertible








Rear shot of his 58 Chevy. 6 '59 Caddy taillights is a traditional treeatment for the 58 Chevy... and it looks soooo good.

[Dat Dirty Rat]

What i wouldnt do to own/have that 58 Chevy....

Dirty

[TheFrenZ]

Hey Rik,
here are some more pics of the Merc.Really old pics from the Essen Motor Show.I had no flasher with me...

[TheFrenZ]

Just "discovered" some more pics of the same show.Don't know if this are also Doug Thompson Customs...
Great looking cars though.









Maybe this is of any use.