For those who are interested, I'm building a clone of my relative Jim Kierstead's 1939 Mercury. Jack Pulliam sent me a bunch of old photos, and there was a photo Jim took, of George Barris 1941 Buick along with Jim's Merc. I've never seen a photo of George's Merc before it was restyled! The other ones are from the salt flats in 1947. Here's a link to The Jim Kierstead Photo Collection http://kustomrama.com/index.php?title=The_Jim_Kierstead_Photo_Collection
View attachment 2735938 Here's my 41 Ford - it was my Grandpas, who started hopping her up right off the lot - a few months after Dec 7th - he had other obligations in Europe due to WWII and upon return in 46 finished her up. She's as close to the 46/47 years as possible, nothing wild just speed parts and motorboat stance. These early hop ups were minimal compared to a few years later when the envelope would be pushed in customs.
Thought I would contribute a picture of my '41 that I am building to be an early custom. It has mixed reactions with people. Most people ask when I'm going to lower it. I have plans to install a '41 Buick grill, skirts and possibly early Desoto bumpers. BloodyKnuckles
Not trying to jack this thread, but theres my 40 chevy. Its gettin some trim shaved, and lowered more. Also I have a set of original hollywood flippers to run with trim rings. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I don't need to think long that my cousins 49 Chevy was the best looking custom in my book! The best part being it was hot as in Hot Rod as well. One of the fastest cars around back in the day running a built 348. Both car and Joe are gone RIP. Joe is the one with the shades on the right (His Trade Mark). Always on day or night! That 49 ragtop was it for me! (Pictures from a road trip from Connecticut to Florida 1960)
Those photos are special and deserve a loving home. If it were me , I know of no better custodian than Rik Hoving.
Funny, I just saw this post for the first time. Jay, I went through the exact same exercise with my '36, when I decided to switch it from a hot rod to a taildragger. First round, with the transverse rear spring still in place: 2nd round, with parallel leaves and many other tweaks: I should admit that I have always favored a low front end, and the car had a dropped axle and reversed eyes in front from its earlier hot rod stance through both taildragger phases and finally back to a low rake.
This isn't really a custom, just accessorized, but these photos seemed to fit with some of the others. Accessories include dual antennas, devil head illuminated fender markers, and spotlight. This original dark blue Mercury was painted yellow right off the lot at the request of the original owner, pictured. At some point after these photos, the running boards were removed. If anybody runs across some devil head fender ornaments, please let me know.
The Jalopy Journal
