What is your favorite taildragger of the late forties and early fifties? What really sticks out for you or would you have if it were you customizing it? Jack Stewart's 41 Ford Jesse Lopez' 41 Ford Bill Ortega's 41 Mercury Bill DeCarr's 41 Mercury Hal Petersons Carson Topped 41 Ford Bob Tormey's 1941 Mercury. The list goes on and on I have just named a few. These guys were trendsetters and the guys like the Ayala Brothers and the Barris Brothers that were behind many of the build or they both had a hand in "restyling" cars like Jack Stewart's 41 both sets of Brothers worked on it I think for myself, Jack Stewart's 41 Ford is my top taildragger. It's way over my budget, but Jesse Lopez' 41 is within range of building and Bob Tormey's 41 Merc because of its subtle modifications. I like subtle changes that every time you see it something else catches your eye that has been customized.
Digging into the archives for some right click saves (credits to original posters and photographers)and did some search hits (lots of beautiful rides with some photos missing but great old threads none the less). Sorry hard time picking...Have a good night... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/t-a-i-l-d-r-a-g-g-e-r-s-again.50007/page-29 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1940s-period-correct-customs.425454/page-38 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/custom-car-builder-spotlight-westergard-bertolucci.50399/
Wally Welch had the Ayala Brothers build him a wicked 41 Ford with a Carson Top. I was reading in George Barris' 1994 book that the hot rodders and the cruisers were 2 entire different groups. The cruisers wanted to cruise and weren't worried about speed and Vice Versa but Wally liked to race his. I can't tell if that's a Merc grill or not, I like it though looks like a comb. I had a 51 Merc in one of my customs
I can think of dozens and dozens that would be on my wish list, but I have always wanted one like Jerry Quesnel's White Ghost: I just love that car..! Dave
That is a pretty sweet. I've never seen it before 49-51 Mercs aren't in my wallet range haha If I look at them I will want them and would be like beating myself in the head because I know I can't afford it.
This is the real stuff. My first car was a '36 Three window, got it when I was 13. Chopped the top 4-1/2", made errors, ended up chopping it 5-1/4" in front, 6" in back. Saw George Barris at the '56 Autorama in San Jose...he said, "Kustoms are chopped more in back, just a little, 3/4" to 1". Make sure you follow that." I did. But before I was 16, turned my efforts to a hot rod. ('30 roadster, Deuce rails...channeled... Wish I'd stashed the Custom...
I have always liked Nick Matranga's 40 Merc. But, I saw a tail drag her 34 Ford that looked really cool.
I'm a mid-fifties custom guy, but ever since I was a little kid I've had a soft spot for Ford and Mercury taildraggers. I must have had 5 of the Hotwheels ones growing up. The Matranga Merc is one of the most beautiful, elegant customs ever built.
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