looking for some examples of nice shiny black on customs, no flat or primer. You rarely see black on a custom now a days, were there many back then? Thanks
Not really. If you're talking front line early Merc customs. I think they were looking for something a little more interesting than black back then. Lime gold, maroons, dark purples, dark greens, metallics, then candy was invented, and so it goes.
Just to be clear, I have nothing against black, I was just referring to the early days of customising Mercs etc. I think there are more black ones these days than ever before.
Early show cars showcased the latest in painting trends. Black was not on the top of the list of most custom painters in the post war era. Candies and metallic colors were the preferred top coats! KK
There were many black customs. Cliff Inman's Joe Wilhelm-built Chrysler is a famous example. The Valley Customs-built Ralph Jilek Ford is another. Sectioned Hudson, "Night Train". "Black Panther". Westergard built a slew of black customs. And let's not forget the Calori coupe! Larry Watson's own '62 Caddy, painted "Black Platinum Pearl". Though not its original color, the Barris-built Herb Ogden Buick never looked better than in black. There used to be an old bodyman's saying; "If it's perfect, paint it black!"
On my mild custom truck build I can't decide what color to use. All candy's, gold, green, orange,seafoam, and I will likely fall back on my all time favorite, black. Every new vehicle I bought has been black. I still have 2 black cars, and that's why I wish I could make up my mind. Black works
My opinion on black. I'm building a late 40's style 47 Chevy coupe. My first plans were to do it black, perhaps with candy red outline scallops (yeah, a bit later era paint touch). Everything I've done still allows for a change of color...at least from black to all Candy Apple Red. So one day I'm looking at cars with a buddy, and we see a new black Camaro. While I don't like the design, I say, "they don't look bad in black". Thinking about it more, a lot of poor designed cars look OK in black. Why? Black tends to hide the lines and contours of the car, as well as making them look smaller. So, all the hard work I'm doing on this Chevy, very intensive recontouring and customizing, will kind of get lost in the back paint! so now I'm leaning more toward the Candy Red, to show off the custom work, and also attract more people to it. Only crazy bodymen who know how much work it takes to get a black car straight, and detail freaks, really appreciate black cars. The public, and even most car guys, just walk right past them without taking too much notice.
Stan Orness built this Merc a number of years ago. Take the flames off, and it still would be an outstanding custom.
Fred Cain's 1940 Ford Coupe, built in 1948. Truth be told, black is my least favorite color, but it definitely looks right on Fred's 40. "Elegant and evil" as Dustin - jadegrenade 51 - wrote above. Every rebellious teen's dream.
Nothing to add but I like your username! My pal Deuce Roadster was with his dad watching the filming of Thunder Road. HRP
The first black custom that comes to my mind is Lee Pratt's '58. That car is perfect and one of my all time favorites. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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