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History Custom Car builder Spotlight: VALLEY CUSTOMS

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Rikster, Apr 5, 2005.

  1. mazdaslam
    Joined: Sep 9, 2004
    Posts: 2,524

    mazdaslam
    Member

    Here it is!!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. 00 MACK
    Joined: May 10, 2004
    Posts: 3,680

    00 MACK
    Member

    Its not the foo foo one?
     
  3. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,025

    19Fordy
    Member

    THANKS very much for posting those pix. It's better than rereading the little old 25 cent custam mags. Man, those guys sure were craftman. Wonder where they are today?
     
  4. mazdaslam
    Joined: Sep 9, 2004
    Posts: 2,524

    mazdaslam
    Member

    The pics were taken at the Glenmoore Concourse by ChevyGirlRox,she e-mailed them to me.That is the show mentioned in the article where the car was going to be displayed.The promos for the show said that it has not been seen for over 40 years,so,I would say that it IS the original car,NOT the PolyII.
     
  5. TheFrenZ
    Joined: Dec 3, 2004
    Posts: 1,906

    TheFrenZ
    Member
    from Germany

    No,it's not...I didn't even realize it when I lately replied to ChevyGirlRox' post "Barris...the legend lives on".Must have been stoned or what... resized the pics to really enjoy them...

    [​IMG]

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    [​IMG]
     
  6. Kustm52
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 1,981

    Kustm52
    Member

    Wasn't the Polynesian "updated" a few years after it came to Ohio? I seem to recall a feature on it in one of the little books, I think the taillights were changed, or something... I'm glad to see it was restored to it's original configuration. I have the custom cars annual mag where the buildup of this car was documented, there were nearly 40 pages of copy and pictures of the process. The Valley Custom guys were artists of the craft, no doubt...

    Brian
     
  7. mazdaslam
    Joined: Sep 9, 2004
    Posts: 2,524

    mazdaslam
    Member

    Here are pics of the car "updated" in the late 50's.I dont know who did it but I bet TheFrenZ or Rikster knows.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Kustm52
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 1,981

    Kustm52
    Member

    That's it...I could live with the frontal enhancement, but those taillights just killed it... kinda like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa or something...

    Brian
     
  9. The magazine story doesn't quite add up. It said that Jack Stewart sold the car to Gene Blackwood in the early 60's but according to the Dec '58 "Custom Cars" the car was then owned by Jack Zagray who was the one who did the "update" work to the car.
    Mr. Zagray addedthe extra bars to the grille and did the fins and '57 plymouth tail lights.
    Whatever the story, the restoration certainly looks like it turned out great and it is good to see this classic the way it was meant to be!
    Mick
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    Kurkle's Body shop in Canton Ohio was responcible for the second version of the Polynesian. It was owned by John Zagray at this time.
     
  11. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    I came across some really nice small magazine add's Valley Customs placed in Rod & Custom in the early 50's...
    They where really funny, especially for those days I guess.

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    The one below was turned upside down in the magazine...

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    And I also found some more pictures of the Ron Dunn sectioned Ford.
    Some in progress photo's


    All body work was done and almost ready for paint.

    [​IMG]


    Almost done only some final cleanup new wheels and tires, glass

    [​IMG]


    and an interior

    [​IMG]


    And huge succes at the Motorama show.


    [​IMG]
     
  12. Mutt
    Joined: Feb 6, 2003
    Posts: 3,219

    Mutt
    Member

    I was perusing the Main Attractions movie catalog, and noticed this ad...

    If any of you want to see the Hooker Merc. in action, get this movie.



    Mutt
     
  13. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
    Member

    Dont you love it when someone brings an old post back to the top?

    Actually, my doing so was prompted by the most recent posting in the Jalopy Journal.

    I was reading one of the Custom Car coffee table books a while back, I dont remember which one, but anyways, I remember them referencing a Model A or 32 roadster that valley customs did work on. And it had mentioned that it was owned by a customs collector. It was like a pale yellow color, looks like a supercharged Cad or Olds motor... white interior, rolled rear pan, nerf bar in the rear.. the car was in the background of the picture, so it was hard to tell.

    Does anyone have any more pictures or informaton on this car?
     
  14. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    From the Dave Darby Kurt McCormick photo sollection:
    http://public.fotki.com/DWDarby/kurt_mccormick_coll/


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  15. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    Some more info

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Started by Bill Hook of LosAngeles CA, finished by Dr. Leland Wetzel, and restored by Kurt McCormick. Dr. Wetzel and his wife drove this roadster across the country with NO TOP.
     
  16. epinut
    Joined: Jul 11, 2004
    Posts: 736

    epinut
    Member

    Did it ever have the Caddy engine while Wetzel owned it? Personally I think it looked better with the flathead, and the what's with the modern motorcycle tires up front?
     
  17. klazurfer
    Joined: Nov 21, 2001
    Posts: 1,596

    klazurfer
    Member

    Rikster , ... THANX a LOT !! ... Your posts are the finest !!!
    EXCELLENT STUFF !!!! :) :)
    KLAZ
     
  18. jonnycola
    Joined: Oct 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,061

    jonnycola
    Member

    That's fantastic!

    Thanks alot Rikster.
     
  19. skumbag
    Joined: Feb 16, 2005
    Posts: 688

    skumbag
    Member

    great post, thanks very much!
     
  20. Cyclone Kevin
    Joined: Apr 15, 2002
    Posts: 4,223

    Cyclone Kevin
    Alliance Vendor

    Rickster, I'm not a big Customs fan myself, but I like & respect the work that went & goes into each & every one. My dad on the other hand likes when the bodies are modified, He had a nearly new 49 merc chopped & dropped with duals & white/sombreros in a mild green back in the early 50's. In the 90's I had a slammed 54 Capri with Appletons,Fiestas & Continental Valve Covers, He liked it more than I did and drove it alot. He misses that sucker, I sold it in like 96. I look over every "Spotlight" feature and look forward to each one for the craftsmanship that was executed to these vehicles. These cars from Valley Custom & the others have made me think many times about the styling & ideas that were being projected to the enthusiast @ the time. I have seen many of these restored versions in person & and feel that they are awesome in metal execution. Thanks for sharing your great knowledge of the Early Custom Era with us.
     
  21. Old Rod
    Joined: Dec 5, 2004
    Posts: 628

    Old Rod
    Member
    from Brazil, IN

    Great Customs. But a word about the Flint 29' it lived in Burbank for many
    years with my old pal Duane Kofoed before finally being sold. Also a pretty
    accurate clone was built by two brothers in southern Indiana. The last I
    heard the clone now resides in Burbank. Maybe something about Burbank
    and the Flint car/clone?
     
  22. Skimmer
    Joined: Jul 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,117

    Skimmer
    Member

    Great thread with plenty of pics.....i enjoyed lookin through it , thanks
     
  23. Tetanus Shot
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,082

    Tetanus Shot
    Member

    thanks for all those great pictures, there was alot of good work going on there
     
  24.  
  25. Evel
    Joined: Jun 25, 2002
    Posts: 9,038

    Evel
    Member
    1. 60s Show Rods

    Hi Mary Ellen,

    Glad you got on the hamb after we talked,,,It's a fun place to be.

    Mad Fabricators will soon tell the story of Ina Mae and Mary Ellen and how
    this Custom Lincoln (designed by Ina Mae and built buy Valley Customs)Influnced a entire family.
     
  26. mikes51
    Joined: Oct 4, 2001
    Posts: 2,195

    mikes51
    Member

  27. buzz bomb
    Joined: Jun 3, 2006
    Posts: 493

    buzz bomb
    Member

    SHIT RIKSTER!!! those pictures are fucking GOLD!! . Sweet colection of true era stuff . THANK YOU SO MUCH:)
    Buzz bomb
     
  28. rough cut
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 13

    rough cut
    Member

    Unbelievable stuff,great pics.How great it must have been in that era of customizing to be able to witness progress in customs
     
  29. Rikster
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 5,795

    Rikster
    Member

    Hello gt350lady (Mary)

    Thank you for posting the link to those absolutley fantastic photo's of your mothers 52 Lincoln. Its so great tos see these very good quality color photo of that great custom. I'am am lookin foreward to see more photo's pu on tho that website. Please inform us when you do so.

    I hope that the restoration on the 52 Lincoln will starts soon and that who restores it keeps us updated as well.


    Thank you Evel for conecting gt350lady with the Hamb...


    Rik
     

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