Donn is a neighbor and friend but I seldom stop by his place because it takes weeks before I can go back to working on my crap. I stopped by yesterday and during the BS session I asked about his Chev. he said it was finished and he took it to the Santa Maria show. when he opened the garage door my jaw dropped a foot. it is without doubt the nicest I've ever seen. He said it woulld be the cover of an up coming Rod & Custom. Donn is a master of refined details but this one is just over the top. the biggest problem with Donn is everytime he builds one for himself someone pops up with an offer he can't refuse. so I'm fairly sure it wil be gone before the Magazine comes out. I guess that is OK as he just picked up a 40 Ford convert and parts of a 29 A pick up My phone camera suck but I'm going to post anyways
the chop is 1 1/2 inches. the rear bumper is 50 Olds. the front bumper is 50 chev with with 50 Olds wingtips. Frazer tail lights.
Don is a master at making a custom look so right that a pristine restored original sitting next to it would look like it had something wrong with it. That is one beautiful car.
Donn is a hell of a nice guy and one of the best builders around...period! I really like what he did with the bumpers...turning the reveals up side down!
Donn said it was shot for 3 magazines at S.M. two domestic and one foreign I'll wait for the pro's photos. I'm trying to get my shop (Rat Rod by comparison) truck on the road......Jim
Fast becoming an all time favorite. This car is pure class all the way. So many beautifully executed custom details. I love the subtle scallops. This car is perfect!
you won't find it at U-Pull it Donn made it. He did tell me, but I was to busy drooling. The lights were some early bullet tail lights reversed with the tips cut off. then bezels were lazer cut welded in. then 53 chev lenses installed from the back. one thing that I learned from watching Donn years ago making some 1 piece form fitting bumpers. after welding alll the pieces together he used lead to finish them. then takes them to a plater and has them copper plated. then he hand sands them and then back for more copper, he does that several times till they are perfect then has them add the jewel like chrome. just like block sanding primer /filller til perfect. Donn is a true master and enjoys telling how things are done.
What a stellar ride, details and styling to perfection. Looking forward to a R.&C. article. Lots of awesome custom Chevy's here of late, another uber cool taillight treatment seen is on xderelicts in progress 54 Chevy Bel Air, Very unique and original treatment. Some much to see, so little time.~sololobo~
I have got to know Don over the last several years and he in one of the coolest people you will ever meet. The first time I met Don he came to one of our club BBQ's he was driving his chopped and primered 41 Ford. It had no headliner in it so you could see where he made all the cuts. He just met me that day but he took the time to explain to me why he made each cut and how it affected the chop. A few months later I was in his area and it was the day before Thanksgiving so I gave him a call to see if I could stop by and see his shop. He said come on over he didn't have a lot of time to spare but would give me a quick tour. I figured I would stay a few minutes and go. Well almost an hour and a half later after he walked me through every detail of every car they were working on I went my way. he truly is a great guy. His head isn't in the clouds because he is one of the best craftsman in the world. I don't feel he gets enough recognition for his work.
I agree, Donn does not get enough recognition for the countless great rides he has built. I have known him since the early 70's when he lived in CT. Great guy who loves to chat with fellow enthuisists. YOu will never get the cold shoulder from Don. Congrats on another trend setting ride!!!
I wondered when someone would start a thread on this car. From the pics I've seen(and the reputation of the builder), it's by far one of the classiest Kustoms ever built(IMHO).
I dig everything I've ever seen that he's been involved with ... an amazing artist and craftsman. Thanks for posting the pics of his most recent work.
funny about his reputation, when we were walking from the shop to his house. he was teling me about the R & C cover. Not having seen the finished car yet. I told him "No offence to your car. But with with your reputation, if you had shown up in Santa Maria driving a tractor you would have landed a cover shot!" with no hesitation and a big grin he replyed "It would depend on what color the tractor was"
Thanks for posting the pics Jim, beautiful car. Donn is a true Master for sure. Do you know where the side trim came from? Or is that something he fabbed up as well?