A friend sent me these pictures of a really cool custom from the late 50s. I would like some help on finding out some history on the car and ideas on what it was based on. Enjoy!
My first thought was the Chrysler family, but upon further inspection I think it's based on a 56/57? Ford Fairlane/Ranchero? Looks like an Edsel front bumper. The back glass really throws off the ID.
I'd say a 59' Ford two door (would have been bought new since they came out around Oct. or Nov) with Desoto fins and ford headlights. But I'll tell ya something...that thing is UGLY!
Ugh! What ever it was before he started, it's not now and he shoulda' left it alone! It's 'proof positive' that "just because you can do something, it doesn't mean it's worth doing or that you should do it"! The top -side profile makes it look like the car's bent the middle. Mart3406 ======================
Does look like it was born a 58 or 59 Ford. then the guy read a few to many batman funnybooks.That is a lot of work to come up with such an ugly ass car. Throw a set of huge cowhorns on the hood and still just a ugly custom. Good luck on finding more info,I have never seen that one in any of the old mags.Looks like a back bumper mounted on front.
Front bumper is Merc and front has some 59 ford touches. Rear window is probably a windshield, fins look Chrysler. Overall car looks like something heavy was dropped on it. Not a favorable design...
I'd say with some confidence that the car is a '57 Mercury Monterey. The front bumper is original, as is the hood and the headlight area is just carved out to put dual headlights into it. Rear window is also original but moved forward up under the roof with some overhang to give it a visor'd effect. Very possibly the original rear bumper as well, can't see enough of it to determine. Fins look homemade. Windshield looks like a rear window out of a Ford Retractable but not sure how likely that'd be. Weird looking yes, but I don't think I'd call it ugly, just odd. Would definitely drive it if found today.
no doubt its ugly but im sure the guy that built it was very proud and happy of what he did. i give him props for modifying it that way but still.......he isnt no chip foose! -chad
----------- If you mean "crashed" at Roswell some time in the '50's, then yeah, that probably it! Mart3406 ========================