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Top 3 Custom Shoebox Fords of the 50s

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Jive-Bomber, Feb 12, 2013.

  1. NiteOwlChris
    Joined: Jul 15, 2002
    Posts: 688

    NiteOwlChris
    Member

    coupes need to be on the ground or they look top heavy
     
  2. weez
    Joined: Dec 5, 2002
    Posts: 860

    weez
    Member

    That "of the 50s" part got pushed aside pretty quickly, haha-

    One weird thing about my car/the Litton car- the colors are almost identical, yet I never knew the color of Litton's Ford till that TRJ article came out with those great color shots-

    I even had someone tell me they saw my car in TRJ.. pretty sure they were talking about the Litton article!
     
  3. Joe Bailon and Buster Litton
     

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    The Indian likes this.
  4. 49 Custom
    Joined: Apr 17, 2009
    Posts: 282

    49 Custom
    Member

    Also seen Dave's shoebox in person. Beautiful work!
     
  5. DadsBlueFord
    Joined: Oct 2, 2011
    Posts: 472

    DadsBlueFord
    Member
    from Hayden, ID

    I guess I'm the only one that thinks those Stude headlights are ugly as hell. They're bad enough on a Studebaker, worse on a shoebox.
     
  6. chop32
    Joined: Oct 13, 2002
    Posts: 1,077

    chop32
    Member

    Jay,
    I agree with your choices. Buster Littons car is my all time #1.
    Hard to limit it to 3, Id have to go with 4 and add Ron Dunns sectioned masterpiece (and I usually dislike sectioned shoeboxes)!
     
  7. Pinstriper40
    Joined: Sep 24, 2007
    Posts: 3,602

    Pinstriper40
    Member

    The Buster Litton "coupe" is actually a sedan... To me, it's the pinnacle of a custom shoebox. I still love Andreas' recreation- he did a very fine job.
     
  8. autobilly
    Joined: May 23, 2007
    Posts: 3,123

    autobilly
    Member

  9. I like 'em all.
     
  10. carlos
    Joined: May 2, 2005
    Posts: 1,387

    carlos
    Member
    from ohio

    dont get anybetter for me than a shoebox:D heres one that was on the ebay
     

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  11. kennyg1931
    Joined: Sep 14, 2009
    Posts: 58

    kennyg1931
    Member

    Was looking at this thread and the first green shoebox that Jive Bomber posted cought my eye and wondered if anyone knew what ever happen to it . Back in the early 60s. there was a local junk yard that a fellow drove in a shoebox with a rod knock and traded for a running car . I tryed to get my Dad to help me buy the car and he said he wouldnt buy a car with a blown motor . the shoebox looked like the same car . it had the same side chrome and same grill also white roll n pleat inside; lowered with wide whites. could have it been the same car. the junk yard was Ohio. thanks for this great thread Kenny g.
     
  12. rbantique
    Joined: Jun 12, 2008
    Posts: 6,431

    rbantique
    Member
    from maine

    So many to choose from.... this looks to have been one from Balion

    Also a few other neat shoeboxes.

    [​IMG]
     

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    Last edited: Feb 13, 2013
  13. Yaril
    Joined: Mar 13, 2006
    Posts: 989

    Yaril
    Member

    i am partial to the Gaylord built Don Carrol shoebox ;)

    i thought in order to be a "custom" it must be chopped or sectioned, anything else would be considered "mild custom"?
     
  14. kennyg1931
    Joined: Sep 14, 2009
    Posts: 58

    kennyg1931
    Member

    Sorry rbantique I wasnt trying to give you a history lesson . alot of old Customs ended up in junk yards and was wondering if this could have been one.?.reguards. Kenny g.
     
  15. Torchie
    Joined: Apr 17, 2011
    Posts: 1,099

    Torchie
    Member

    One of my favorites as well.
    I believe that this car is still around but if the pics I have seen are correct it has been pretty screwed up.
    Seems like the Alexander Brothers get most of the press when it comes to talking about Detroit customs (Not without reason) but the Clarkaiser shop turned out some very nice cars as well.
     
  16. I'm partial to my Dad's...

    [​IMG]
     
  17. weez
    Joined: Dec 5, 2002
    Posts: 860

    weez
    Member

    Tom Liechty has owned the Utopia for many years. You wouldn't recognize it. Would be a good candidate for restoration to the the version in your picture-
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2013
  18. weez
    Joined: Dec 5, 2002
    Posts: 860

    weez
    Member

    I'm curious how you know that... I didn't think anyone knew anything specific about the chop of the Litton car. You can't get that side window line from a coupe or a sedan, so I never knew how it was done originally. Although it could have started off as either one, I always assumed it was a coupe, (and Barris says it was a coupe, for what that's worth) If you have any build pics or info of the Litton car, please share! Andreas did a great job on his roof and it was neat to see how that came together-
     
  19. chop32
    Joined: Oct 13, 2002
    Posts: 1,077

    chop32
    Member

    LeRoy Goularts shoebox was further modified as shown in the photo below.
    I seem to remember reading somewhere that it had been wrecked and subsequently crushed, but dont quote me on that.
     

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  20. flamingokid
    Joined: Jan 5, 2005
    Posts: 2,200

    flamingokid
    Member

    The York Shoebox most closely resembles my Dads,which is probably why I like it.
     
  21. DadsBlueFord
    Joined: Oct 2, 2011
    Posts: 472

    DadsBlueFord
    Member
    from Hayden, ID

    That's one of the best two-tone treatments I've seen on a shoebox.
     
  22. koolkemp
    Joined: May 7, 2004
    Posts: 6,005

    koolkemp
    Member

    I love this car! In the first pic do you know it that is a darkened red oxide primer?
     
  23. Finnrodder
    Joined: Oct 18, 2009
    Posts: 2,970

    Finnrodder
    Member
    from Finland

  24. Jersey Joe 67
    Joined: Jun 12, 2008
    Posts: 427

    Jersey Joe 67
    Member
    from J Town

    I was never a big Shoebox fan until;
    [​IMG]
     
  25. sanfordsotherson
    Joined: Mar 21, 2005
    Posts: 962

    sanfordsotherson
    Member
    from So. Cal.

    WEEZ: "I'm curious how you know that... I didn't think anyone knew anything specific about the chop of the Litton car. You can't get that side window line from a coupe or a sedan, so I never knew how it was done originally. Although it could have started off as either one, I always assumed it was a coupe, (and Barris says it was a coupe, for what that's worth) If you have any build pics or info of the Litton car, please share! Andreas did a great job on his roof and it was neat to see how that came together."


    Good thread on the Litton car that Ryan started about six months ago. On page 4 an article from '53(?) said it was a 'Club Coupe'. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717736
     
  26. Trickster
    Joined: Oct 7, 2009
    Posts: 38

    Trickster
    Member

    Love em all thay respond so well to the kustom treatment.
    Thay should have came factory std with a hack saw in the boot.:D
     
  27. swazzie
    Joined: Mar 30, 2004
    Posts: 940

    swazzie
    Member

     
  28. I always thought the Clarkaiser car's window treatment was a little busy, otherwise the car itself is spot-on. If I could own one from the fifties it would be the Goulart car, second rendition. Mind you, these two newer build capture the spirit of the fifties admirably, and I would certainly give up the left side of a certain part of my anatomy for either:
     

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  29. 4rod
    Joined: Feb 4, 2008
    Posts: 806

    4rod
    Member

    when it comes to customs, IMO There are Certain things that just shouldn't be changed...On 49' and 50' shoeboxes its the Grill...I think that's what distinguishes that car...The hood and grill section should have neve been messed with...IMO that's what set's that car apart for other customs...I'm not sure who's box this is but IMO they captured the essence of the period and kept the hood and grill which is the dynamic centerpiece [​IMG]
     
  30. weez
    Joined: Dec 5, 2002
    Posts: 860

    weez
    Member

    Yes, it's a great grille and it's iconic... but a custom is CUSTOM. It's supposed to be a restyle or a personal expression, a new design idea. Plus there's the goal (in the 50's at least) of disguising the make of of a more inexpensive car to make it more glamourous and expensive appearing. I'm pretty sure the owner of a new stock shoebox would have felt a bit inadequate when being shown up by a new Lincoln, Cad, etc... I know it's all moot now and anything old is interesting and different, but I always think of customizing its original context. That's just me though-
     

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