Here you go. The headlights were real works of art. The car still exists, but has lost many of its original features (including the top.)
Probably wouldn't be hard to change the bumper back. Danchuk's makes smoothy bumpers now. But the girly color has to go.....
Harry Bradley's owner built "La Jolla" and Buster Litton's Panoramic Ford are what I think of for best customs of the 50's and 60's. Timeless, clean and uncluttered styling.
My vote is for the 49/51 Mercury Lead Sleds, I have always thought, these cars are "IT" for the custom "Look". Growing up in Milwaukee Wi.,I didn't see many local custom Mercury's, but as the years have gone by, now, there is a pretty good collection of Lead sleds in Milwaukee and Wi. check out http://www.brewtowncruisers.com/ web site. John
I've no idea when it was actually built, but here's a beautiful example from Slim in the Mild Customs thread.
The El Matador was hideous.There is nothing that flows on that ride,way to abstract for a smooth kustom.The matranga merc is a smooth flowing ride of elegance and restraint,sam barris merc is another.Look at the jesse lopez ford,and how graceful the lines are,how flow is solid without bizzare interuptions and wacky head light treaments.There is a definitive period where customs were elegant and a period where people were trying to out do each with mods.
Too hard to pic just one or two but a stand-out to me would be Glickman's Fifty-One Merc.....Sure makes a Swell golf cart!! I'd even try out the boring past time if that got me from green to green...
How many of you remember this one. It was a Top Ten Custom in the '60's and was Pontiac Lime Green. Now owned and restored by Sandy Lankaar of Bellingham, WA. The Name Party Doll still on her. Mike Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki
I'd have to go with Inman's Chrysler, it is clean and improves the style of the car. Later cars got too gaudy, I've always liked the clean look.
that one is another of Herb Gary built. I like the first version better. THe car is presently being restored
Yeah your right CHOPMERc. They look very similar. By the way CHOPMERC, I LOVE your car. Is it an original 50s custom? I saw it at the Galloping Hills show in jersey this summer.
Hey Manny, thank you very much. My car was built as a mild custom in about 1961 and re-customized around 1980. I got it in 1985 and had more work done to it but sold it in 1988. I found it and bought it back in 2004 and brought it to where it is now. There are a bunch of pics on my profile page. You can see the changes it's gone through Bob
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