hotrod1940-never knew it was Black (yuck) you owned it (gawd!) why didya let it go?, think I,d be buried in&with it. My all time Fav,40!
I believe that the gold '59 Impala was owned by Ron Pereau of Imperial Customs of Mason City, Iowa. He was an upholstery specialist if you hadn't noticed. The pearl gold on the it was also faded dark to light ala the El Matador. His partner in Imperial, Del Clausen, showed a wild chopped and channeled A coupe with '59 Impala fins. Del worked closely with Ditzler developing their line of clear acrylic paints and toners. That's where their name Delstar came from. I think Ron later upholstered at Barris's.
I have heard rumors that it was still around and hidden in a garage (on the east coast). But I have never seen any photos that could proof this. Can anyone tell me what this side trim is off of? Great Thread, Let's keep it going strong. Long Live Kustoms!
I have also heard those rumors.... and also heard rumors it was a clone? time will tell The side trim was made up of '52 Buick Riviera Sweepspear and '53 Oldsmobile side trim pieces.
The name sounds familiar, but I remember it being a purplish shade. Probably the same car with different paint; I mean, how many A coupes could there have been with '59 Chev fins? Does anyone know of Del Clausen's whereabouts?
this is a dick dean of dean kustoms creation that is still a peice of art today. it was at lubbock texas at a local car show.thanks larry for bringing it.
<table id="post5167761" class="tborder" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="alt1" id="td_post_5167761" style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229);"> Quote; Does anyone know of Del Clausen's whereabouts? Del still lives in St. Ansgar Iowa and currently has a radically custom '56 Chevrolet. He is listed in the new 2010 Minnesota Street Rod Association yearbook that just came out. I believe the Model "A" with the '59 Chev fins is currently owned by someone in Eagan, Mn. <!-- / message --> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="alt2" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(229, 229, 229) rgb(229, 229, 229); border-width: 0px 1px 1px;"> </td> <td class="alt1" style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(229, 229, 229) rgb(229, 229, 229) -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 0px 1px 1px 0px;" align="right"> <!-- controls --> </td></tr></tbody></table>
But it is great to see an unchopped version of the Packard next to the Doug Thompson chopped one so you can really appreciate what a work of art it is. Gotta love that step-down dip in the door to keep the sideglass large. One of my top favorites.
A few more of the Packard. What a great and innovative car. Doug was never afraid to step outside the box. All photos by Keith Ashley
StrayKat we must have crossed paths many times at kkoa shows. what were you showing? I started with 57 Bird then 57 Ford a 53 Merc and ended with a 49 Merc.Great days then. TwoChops
Anders Odeholm did a nice article on the Packard in the Swedish magazine Wheels from December 1990. The writing was in Swedish, so I never really understood all of it.. but the photos where great. And the best part was where it showed 6 in progress photos. To show how much work Doug performed to create this beauty!
Time for some new/old photos from my own collection Selections of Shoebox Fords Very interesting two seater roadster conversion for this Shoebox. It even has a wrap around (frameless?) windshield and tilt hood. Lovely in pink.... not!
I saw this pic on your site Rik, from Dick Fuerholzer's photo collection. Who's car is it? Its beautiful, the chop is perfect, not a lot, just right.
I drove a '55 chevy 4dr for years and It would have just blend in. I was usually with my wife and we just set back and enjoyed the show. We didn't know anybody at the time and when we finally met Gary & Getta Mundy are life had changed and we meet a lot of kool friends very quick... I'm sure that we had walked by each other at a KKOA events it would have been fun to go back and do it over again. I'm in love with this hard top, I borrowed the picture form somebody on the HAMB most likly Rikster... Happy Trails, Mick
I have more photos of that car in a little magazine at home from around 1959 or so. The front is really sharp, too. I'll try to bring it to work Friday and scan it in (unless Rik already has them loaded up and ready to spring on us!)
No I have not... I only know it is a New Jersey Custom.... So yes please scan. Just noticed this is my 3000th post... Better add a photo... Johnny Zupan Merc.. and next to it most likely the Buddy Alcorn Merc at an outdoor show Zupan's at the indoor show.
"No I have not... I only know it is a New Jersey Custom.... So yes please scan." That makes sense - it's an East Coast magazine (can't remember the title). 1960, I think. I'll write myself a note and scan it Friday when I get to work.
Yes its one I posted. The photo is from the Jim Roten Collection. Here are a few more of that unidentified car... These where not so sharp as the one you showed... only because the where cropped from these...