History Coachbuilt Customs

By 1940 most of the specialised coachbuilders like Bohman Schwartz and Coachcraft Ltd were dying out . The war intervened and gave rise to home based customisers and specialised Custom shops like Westergard and Barris.
Let’s see the Coachbuilt marvels that often dictated the styling trends that Detroit followed.

 

There was someone here that was putting together a book about Coachcraft. was watching but never saw the finished product.

 

I have little to add but I hope this thread takes off, I'd very much like to do a build like this in the future. Most likely cutting up a big sedan and "rebodying" it into a roadster or short roof coupe. There were a few really great build threads years ago, mostly involving pre-war Cadillacs, although I haven't seen any of them updated in a while.

 

One of my faves:

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/artic...1940-nash-ambassador-eight-special-cabriolet/

 

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I am currently building the body for the Miller burden continuation roadster

 

I hate to hijack this thread but has anyone ever successfully pulled off the exposed plumbing look like this on a 33/34 Ford car? Are they just not long enough for the proportions to look right? I adore the look of this car.

 

Wow! I nearly died and went to heaven when I discovered the Burden V16 story only recently. Fantastic that it’s being done!!!

 

There are some hot rod coach builders. I think that some of Coddington’s build qualify

 

Somebody lowered it. ^^^

 

I saw this picture when I was 10. Always loved the car. Decided to try and build a poor mans version out of a 33 Plymouth.

 

Gable’s Duesy was done by Bohman Schwartz. I think it was 1937. It was a rebody of an earlier Duesy. I’m sure it influenced many a Custom guy.

 

Another view and t he original all restored.

 

Here's a 1937 V16 Cadillac that was coachbuilt by Willy Hartmann in Switzerland.

 

I can't remember what he goes by on here but one of our members who I think is in Austin has done some fantastic photo shop coach built classic do overs that he has shared on FB at times. One of his works here that would really work Old enough to be Hamb friendly too.

 

I'm fond of Darrin's Packards.
http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/d/darrin/darrin.htm

 

I’m building an interpretation as we speak.

 

Great thread! I just got a copy of *Cars of the Thrilling Thirties* fir Christmas and a lot of the photos of high-end cars (Cads, Packard, Auburn, etc) are coach-built bodies. It was eye-opening to see how much Westergard and the Barris Brothers were clearly stealing from those cars.
Apparently I have expensive taste because I love most of these machines. Keep posting!

 

Wrong title: it's "Cars of the CLASSIC '30s: A Decade of Elegant Design"
A Packard, a Chrysler, a Lincoln, and a Stutz

 

What I'd like to know is how to build one of those duvall style windshields from scratch. I imagine they were formed in wood, then cast. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

I’m gonna try and fabricate one in Stainless shortly for my 39 Packard. I have a good foundry just near me but to my mind to make the bucks will be as much work as fabricating. Bert Gustafson’s 41 Cadillac Custom has a sublime screen.

 

The top car is the Hayes-bodied Cord L-29 designed by Alexis de Sakhnoffsky.