The guy in front built this coupe in 1952, first with a flattie, then a bored out 322 Nailhead. He owned it for 57 years, racing at Daytona against Parnelli Jones, Lee Petty, et.al., taking 4th place in the flying mile @ 125+ MPH. In 2009, he sold it to the other gent. The trans is a '39 Buick top-loader, mated to the torque-tube (no tailshaft). To me, this is the shit! This next car was built on the Eastern Shore in the early fifties. It started as a '37 Chevy, with Lincoln rear fenders, Buick fade-aways, and '50 Ford hood. The 216 block cracked one winter, and the car was never finished. It was purchased 5 years ago (+/-) from the builder's survivors. This Ford was purchased in the early fifties, as a customized hard-top (I believe). Over the years, it morphed into this beautiful chopped convertible, complete with working top. Details for days! How about the Olds dash? The same builder did this crazy 3-door Merc, seen elsewhere. Dig the Olds/Buick door scallops. Once again, details abound. The teeth in those front scoops are actually kitchen knife handles! (I'll edit in the builder's name later, when I find his card.) Sunken crest...must have taken a little while. I know there are some Hemi fans here, but I didn't see this dual quad DeSoto elsewhere. And this is where it's sittin'! Speakin' of Hemis, you Mopar fans, what better living room than this?
Here are a couple more nice cars that seemed to have missed the Radar. There are a couple of chopped Mopars currently being build on the HAMB. This is for you guys. Shine on! This '40 had an interesting side window treatment.
Thanks for posting the pictures, the Mercury is something else. I would have loved to see it in person. The Buick top and the Buick body line is just way too kool. Happy Trails, Mick
No need for me to post the mainstream stuff. I'll leave that to Dan Greenberg and the other pros. But, damn, how can one get too much of this? I was reading a Neal Emory advice column in a little pages the other day. The reader asked about plastic filler. The reply was that at Valley Customs, they didn't like to use ANY filler, and the only time they ever used lead was when they couldn't get to both sides to hammer-weld. Dig it? It's not like me be star-struck, but I certainly embarassed myself fawning over Lee Pratt. If ever we should meet again, maybe I should start, "We've never met,, but..." LOL! And just in case you missed it (yes, it's Gil Ayala's old shop truck!)... Dare to be different? This '62 Chrysler is 100% NICE! Check the Buick ribs in the top, which also extended through the deck lid. This great custom has yet to make its media debut, so I won't scoop the details. But keep your eyes open...its a knockout! '32 Ford three window. Pontiac dash? This '55 Dodge mill is in a chopped '36 Ford 5-window turned hard-top coupe. I don't have pics, but the car is just as it was completed in 1959, right down to the original red painted wheels and (then new) Dodge flipper 'caps. Wiend 4 carb for a Poly-Sphere, anyone? Inside is dashboard with 16 functional toggle switches. (Not visible in this photo.)
This car will be inside at Jalopyrama, October 27 in Annapolis, Md. Along with the self-made air cleaner, he also used aluminum sheet throughout the interior. There are many subtle details on this rare '50 Plymouth fastback.
Thanks a lot, guys. I really appreciate your comments. I'm just trying to fill in some of the blanks. It was an intoxicating experience.
I've seen through-the-fin antennae before, but never at an angle. Nice inside-outside scalloping. (Inside is upholstery.) This next Chevy is absolutely nutz! It must be chopped all of 1"! Hard-top windshield, perhaps? Big stones, anyway you cut it!
Bad picture, cool car! The '40 Merc looking grille was hand-made from stainless steel. Great hubcaps are actually '53 Ford, capped with a bullet. And I had to ask! LOL You just never know what you'll find under the hood! Speaking of which, that sectioned hood is finished just as nicely underneath as on top! Inside is a nicely cut-down '50 Ford dash. As Justin Wilson used to say, "Don't dat Purdy?" The rods were well captured in other threads, but somehow, this Ardun seems to have slipped through the cracks. (Must be the radials?) "It's only a Pitman arm. Gimme the torch, I'll make it fit!" "It's only a drag link. Gimme the torch. I'll make it fit!" "It's only a steering arm. Gimme the torch. I'll...."
This is Jim Ireland's car exactly ONE YEAR ago. He drove it to Bonneville and back home to Maryland a few weeks ago.
The Jalopy Journal
