The Lee Pratt ’52

So last week, we featured a group of photographs taken by Lee Pratt at the first show held by West Coast Kustoms in Paso Robles. In the background of one of those shots, there was a partial view of Lee’s own ’52 Chevrolet. Many readers commented that they would like to see more of the car and lucky for us, Lee was willing to oblige.

The thing about Lee Pratt that has always amazed me is his vision… and maybe more than that, his taste. This ’52 was built in the very early 1980’s – a time when few people were building and driving traditionally styled custom cars. And it was built with a real sense of both restraint and style – two things that you can find in every car Lee builds.

But, don’t take my word for it… Instead, go have a look at a few of Lee’s more recent builds. Namely:

1. The Lee Pratt ’40
2. The Lee Pratt ’58
3. The Lee Pratt Shoebox
4. The Lee Pratt Nomad

That’s an incredible resume, right? Keep in mind, it’s also a pretty incomplete one. Lee has built a shitload of cars through the years and all of them seem to have the same essence about them. This 1952 Chevrolet is a great example of that…

Lee’s ’52 as stocker…

Lee started with a bone stock car that he drove a number of years before touching. All along, however, he had an idea for a mild mid-50’s custom that would feel at home on a little page. As striking as the car was, the list of mods was actually pretty short and conservative:

• 1954 Kaiser grille
• Stock ’52 front bumper with a ’49 Chevrolet over-rider
• Olds headlights
• 1955 Buick side trim
• Extended skirts
• 1952 Pontiac rear bumper with ’55 Pontiac over-rider

And aside from a shave here and there as well as the hopped-up inline, that was it for the car. By 1982, he had the smart little custom in two-tone primer and ready for Paso.

Once back from Paso, Lee continued on with the car. It wasn’t long before he started attending to the details and spraying shiny paint. Purple and gold. It felt right then and it still feels right today.

Just out of paint…

But color be damned, you what my favorite part of this story is? Once Lee was done with the car, he took it to a choice locale and shot it with original Kodak Tri-X film. If you’re a photography buff like myself, you know how special this film is in its original guise and how rich the prints from this film stock can be. Lee’s photos are simply a wonderful example of that. Check it out:

Great, right? In any case, Lee drove the car for a few years before moving it on down the road and starting on something else that was probably just as perfect and just as well thought out. Not surprisingly, the ’52 is still around… But last time it was seen, it was in pretty rough shape.

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Editor’s Note: While flipping through Lee’s photographs, I ran across a color shot taken of the ’52 after it was completed. On the far left and just out of frame, you can see an early effort from Jack Rudy. In the middle, of course, is Lee’s Chevrolet… And on the right? Well, that’s a young Jimmie Vaughan standing proudly beside his equally gorgeous Chevrolet.

(click to enlarge)

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