I have been asked to post more on the history of Coachcraft Mine and my Fathers company that my Grandfather and the left over crew from Darrin of Paris started in 1939. The group of Guy's that started Coachcraft where the the workers that my Grandfather put together for Darrin on Sunset Blvd, where the Darrin packards where made .So when Darrin sold out to Packard motor car and moved the line of cars to the east coast .The guy's got together and created Coachcraft.Ltd in 1939 .Here are some of the photo's hope you enjoy them .I will post more photos of the building of Mickey's Cohn bullet proof Cadillac, Thanks
These pictures are awsome!! Thanks so much for posting and please keep them coming. Very interesting stuff.
Great photos! Thanks for sharing ... keep them coming! Does anyone have photos of the the other coachbuilders that were in business in Los Angeles during that era (Murphy, Bohman & Schwartz, etc.)? Is anyone reproducing the "flipper" hupcaps on the James Wong Howe car and the Paul Planette merc.? I remember seeing them in the early 50's ... still a cool look.
Hello I think we have some photos of the other body builders of socal I will look for them and I will be sure to post them .!! Thanks
coachcraft.ltd ... thanks for sharing these pics with us ... keep 'em coming! ... and be sure to checkout these Jalopy Journal Blogs / HAMB threads: * Yankee Doodle Roadster for sale... (Blog) * Yankee Doodle Roadster for sale... (Thread) * The Coachcraft '40 Ford (Blog) * The Coachcraft '40 Ford (Thread) * Coachcraft * HAMB HISTORIANS HELP -Finest Merc gathering around
Fantastic Pictures. Do you have any of the Cadillac Station Wagon built for Merrill Madsen Sr of Minneapolis???? Thanks for sharing these.
Very nice! I'm a big admirer of the work from Coachcraft Ltd. and the early history, from the time when coachbuildning and custom cars were close to each other. It would be great to get even more information! Every little detail is valuable to me.
Coachcraft.Ltd thanks for the great pic's. Any more pic's and/or history would be greatly enjoyed by most of us here on the HAMB. This thread could be killer!
Hello Sunroofcord Yes ! we do have photos of all the cars that where built .My Father Bill has been trying to find all the cars ,Do you have the Cadillac Wagon?? If you can send me a photo of the car and what it looks like today that would be great .Thanks !!
No, I do not have the Cadillac Wagon but knew Merrill Madsen Sr. and his sons. Also know his Grandaughter. The Cadillac was pictured in an article on Coachcraft in Collectible Automobile some time ago. I've always been a fan of Coachcraft built cars.
Always loved those old pro-built customs of that era. Know a guy in Cleveland, GA who has a fine collection of cars that specializes in '34 Fords(he has one of every body stlyle built in '34), and old Packards. He has an old custom Packard roadster from the 20's that IIRC was built for Marlena Dietrich. Dave
Amazing pictures. Especially the cars built for celebrities. Is Coachcraft still operating? If so, what kind of work are you doing now?
Hello 36couper yes Coachcraft is still in buisness we do alot of Ferrari and Porsche resto .We are doing the body and paint of a 32 5 window coupe and we just finished a 32/34 custom 3 window coupe ..and Im doing a few muscle cars !! a little of everything keeps it interesting .I will post photos of the current stuff a packard that we took to Pebble Beach in 02 and a alfa 57 ultra lite we took in 2005!! Thanks for the interest
Wonderful pictures! Thanks for posting. I would love to see more, especially of the speedster Keenan Wynn is sitting in. Thanks again.
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