Art & Inspiration Suggestions on New England shop to put flames on my '40

Well been a year since I had the '40 completely stripped of the old checked flaking lacquer and repainted with urethane base coat, clear coat. We have decided that it needs flames again as it was before the paint job. The shop that repainted the car did a great job but they didn't want anything to do with flames. So since we were 50/50 at the time, we rolled with that. Now it seems to us a '40 without flames is like a day without sunshine. Any thoughts on someone in New England area, bearing in mind we don't want to have the car disappear into some shop for months to get them done. Thanks.

 

This is what the car looked like when we bought it.

 

You asked for suggestions, here's mine. Never have been a fan of fake flames (whats the point? everyone knows they are fake) or nineties graphics. That 40 was meant to stay solid black

 

As I've stated in another thread, no car is more suited or wears a Flame Job as well as those do!

 

Very reputable and old school guys. Lowreys in Tilton, N.H. Jim Sr. and Jim Jr.

http://www.lowreysautorestoration.com/

So what's wrong with a few months free heated storage?

I don't think he is taking a poll on whether to do it or not. It's his car.

 

In my opinion, Real Flames would be MUCH WORSE!

 

I like them!

 

Wait, so you are a fan of real flames on a car?

I am going to stay tuned in. Good to learn of places like this in my area.

 

Flames have never done anything for me. Probably the last thing I'd ever put on a car. You don't have to agree.

 

This from a guy that lives in a place called Possum Crotch. Right. LOL

............... And I like flames, but not flamers!

I tried to PM or e-mail O.P. some info. I don't want to post publically, but you are in major lockdown security wise.?

 

Kelsey Martin on the North Shore in Massachusetts.

 

Times 2;Kelsey does some fantastic flames.PM me for his contact info.

I'll second that. Kelsey has probably done more flames that any other person I know of;except maybe Paul Hatton or Sam Radoff, and they aren't in New England. I worked with Kelsey starting back in the late 1960's and his flames are great.PM me if you need his contact info. Here is a pic of one he did in the early 1970's.

 

And Kelsey wins by a landslide!!
I also recommended him ( like he needs it) but didn't want to put his name out in the thread- he's kind of a private famous person!

 

Bill Roell, Indiana.

 

He may travel!!

 

Ohio Flames, Wade Hughes, he's the best around

 

Well anxiously awaiting getting the car back. I contacted several people by doing internet and facebook searches for custom painting, striping and flames. Most never replied. Funny, these people have "contact me" on their websites with an address but when you send a message, it must go to a black hole. Anyway in January I got a response from Dennis Day, D-Day Designs, in Sterling, MA. We chatted a couple of times by email and then on the phone. Dennis had several flame jobs on his website so could see his ability. He is however, a traveling artist. Willing to come to your shop to do the lettering, striping, or whatever. Since I am a caregiver for my wife, we now live in a rental condo, no garage. But Dennis had a solution. His brother is the house painter for Wilson and Steely Coachworks, in Athol, MA. So just recently I took the '40 down to Athol. Dennis did the flames and the striping. We chose to go old school, red, orange and yellow, with no metallic or pearls. This coupe was built in the 70s so it seemed to fit the bill. I did provide Dennis with a idea of what I wanted, using this picture I found online. Richie at Wilson and Steely is doing the clear coat and wet sand/buff out after Dennis is done. One major issue for me was not having the car lanquish in a shop someplace indefinetly, we have all heard horror stories about how long it takes some tradesmen to turn a project around. Amazingly my coupe will be done in a week, just as I discussed with Dennis and Steve (Wilson and Steely).

However this coupe had a louvered hood. Ironically even though I own half interest in a GoodTimes louver press with my buddy Dick LeClair (DJ's Louver Service in Exeter, NH), I have no louvers in my hood so I wanted the hood flamed somewhat differently than this one. Here is a shot of the car after it was scuffed and taped. I will do some pictures this weekend of the finished job. So far I am very pleased.

 

Welcome back to the dark side!

 

Nothing says (HOT ROD) on any car like flames and louvers-especially forty fords! My opinion but I am old school.

 

Flame on! Great car, with or without them.

 

Good design choice. The coupe looks great with or without. Flames that are well done look incredible. Always liked them but have never been able to make the leap on my own cars. May have to rethink that.

 

Well just got back for Athol, MA. Couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Here is a picture of the missus and the car today, waiting for transport. Dennis Day, of D-Day Design in Sterling, MA really captured the spirit of what I wanted. My first look brought me back to the flames on McMullen's roadster years ago. This picture doesn't do them justice as the camera washes out the orange to yellow fades and makes it seem much more yellow than it is. Tomorrow, weather gods permitting, I'll take some outside and see what happens. I thought Dennis's bill was a fair one and well within the parameters of what we discussed. And Wilson and Steely, what can I say. Amazing we set this up, seven days between arrival and departure on the coupe, where else could I get that? Big shout out to Rich, the painter, great guy. Car was washed and ready today just as promised.

 

Beautiful. My mind, too, immediately thought of the McMullen - how did that '32 roadster turn into a '40 coupe? And it's always great to see a smiling lady with a hot rod.

vic

 

Subscribed. Looking forward to more pictures! Can't go wrong with a black 40 with flames! Going back and forth with adding them to mine.

 

I don't know Dennis but I have to congratulate him on a great job!

 

Looking forward to more photos, that looks great!

 

So today it is sunny and high 70s, here are some pictures. Again props to Dennis Day (D-Day Designs of Sterling, MA) for the artwork and to Wilson and Steely who did the clear and the wet sand and buff. All, most impressively, in seven days per our request!