I very rarely start threads, but I've been poking around the search feature and haven't found one thread centralized for history of Detroit area Hot rods and customs. The motor city used to have a vibrant custom/hot rod scene, but like alot of industry, many hot rodders and customizers moved on from Detroit over time (or moved onto muscle cars). So post up whatever you got concerning the Detroit area from the 30's-60's. Hot rods, customs, drag cars etc. Let try and compile as much as we can into one thread. I'll start off with pics my personal favorite Detroit based custom, the Clarkaiser 55 t-bird. I got to drool over this one at the Autorama a few years back. So share what you got.
Took me some searching to find it, but there is a thread on Old Detroit Autorama pictures. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...icture-thread-what-do-you-have.532387/page-11
Here's one I posted up today from Wyandotte. I'll put pics of my old Downriver built 54 Ford Semi Kustom up tonight.
Two cars I've always loved.Tom Leichty's 54 Chevy that he bought new and customized and the Clarkaiser Utopia. The connection is that the Utopia is in a private museum in Onsted MI and is owned by Tom. Tom did a cable TV show called Automotive Lifestyles here for many years with his wife Diana and their,"son" Iggy.
Here's my Grandpas (from Dearborn Mi ) 41 Ford he hopped up first starting in 41 and finished up late 47. I have the 41 now and she's returned to the same specs Grandpa built her to - nothing crazy done to the car, but representative of the period for the regular joe. I will need to collect his period pics from my great uncle.
A lot of good history here: http://thehotrodsofdearborn.com/index.html This car was built in 53-54 and on the above site, my brother has owned this car since 1974.