Lucky Penny 49'
- This topic has 210 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 3 months ago by mike sutton.
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January 27, 2015 at 17:08 #21710PaulieParticipant
I wanted to take a minute and lay out the plan somewhat.
We can all agree the Bettancourt Merc is one (if not THE) best Merc out there.
I personally feel that pre 54′ was really the golden age of customs. Pre 54′ style is the best! The transformation of the Bettancourt Merc from the Ayala Brothers, to the Barris version and then to the Zupan version is amazing.I love the Ayala Brothers, they are the best but my Influences on this build are more Zupan, Goulart, Conway, Watson if that makes sense.
This will make several of you cringe but I love the Zupan version. The 56′ show car circuit wasn’t as gaudy as the later 58′ era. It retained enough of the pre 54′ styling but added two tone paint and pinstripes. THAT is really what I’m going after with this build. A 55-56′ circuit era that’s been updated to the 56-57′ era.
A few eagle eyed people can already see a few nods to famous pre 56′ builders already if you look close enough.
Why I said 58′ earlier its due to the interior I have. It’s slightly too later for the 56′ (in fact it’s modeled after the 63′ circuit) but I fee it can be pulled off for the 57′ look as well. When I had the chance to make a deal for the interior out of a well known West Coast custom that has some historical provenance I couldn’t pass it up.
More on the interior later.
January 27, 2015 at 23:28 #21726PaulieParticipantSo I did literally a year of overtime at my job a few years ago and I bought 2 things.
An engagement ring for my wife and this motor.
H&H built 276. Baron Heads, Navarro intake, 94s, real Fenton headers (not China Bill knock offs), chrome fan, Thickstun parts. Painted to match my dash.
You can see my stainless brake lines I ran. Also a Trans adapter I had made. All that grade 8 bolts got replaced with original Ford hardware
Cable laced all the cloth wiring.
January 27, 2015 at 23:36 #21730PaulieParticipantJanuary 27, 2015 at 23:38 #21731PaulieParticipantJanuary 27, 2015 at 23:43 #21732PaulieParticipantMost of my photos are during the mock up phase, which is why you see a lot of bolts not tightened down or wires hanging etc.
I am running Caddy Sombrero hubcaps with a special center medallion. Rob Radcliffe zipped them up for me. I’m grateful for his help. At that time I replaced the whees with ones from a 53′ Mercury. They have a slightly deeper offset so the Caddy hubcap sits flush with the wheel lip. I also tossed a set of new Goodyear Super Cushions on there.
January 27, 2015 at 23:52 #21733PaulieParticipantJanuary 28, 2015 at 00:00 #21735PaulieParticipantJanuary 28, 2015 at 00:07 #21736PaulieParticipantI am extremely honored and lucky to be able to let a part of that famous custom live on in my custom. The name I chose Lucky Penny” is an homage to that and to all Customizers really. The Interior was modeled (with permission) after the Bill Hines Buddha Buggy from 63′. I feel it can pass as 57′-58’style.
Settled on side trim. Here it is taped up crooked on my car
January 28, 2015 at 19:16 #21769PaulieParticipantI’m getting hesitant to post these next ones as there hadn’t been much progress past this point as I’ve bought a house recently etc etc. however I want to give the scope for the final push.
Paint colors picked and Inspiration had been found in this old Watson painted Shoebox.
I’ve manganged to do a lot of small behind the scenes type details. Upholstery will happen this spring, paint will be bought as well. Actual spraying will happen at some point.
My goal is to be ready for Race of Gentlemen later this year. even though I won’t make the pre 52′ style cut off.
I rode up last year with some friends. 1,000 miles there and back in some old Customs (That’s me in the back)…that’s roughly it for now. I hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen. It’s a home built custom. Feedback is always appreciated and thank you for taking the time to read my thread.
Huge thank you to Chris Whittington at https://shoebox-central.com/Default.aspx without him this car would not be what it is. To Rob Radcliffe for all the help and advice. Also Dave Chavez for the chance to carry on the torch.
Updates soon, stay tuned…..
January 28, 2015 at 20:02 #21770PaulieParticipantJanuary 28, 2015 at 23:02 #21771Rik HovingKeymasterVERY interesting. Very creative.
Looking forward to see what you will do with that Watson outline style paint-job.Enjoy the beauty of Customizing
January 28, 2015 at 23:07 #21772Rik HovingKeymasterI love the idea of this car being built in the early 1950’s as a full custom car and then slowly getting updated to fit the style of the day. This way it has styling elements from all era’s Like the early 1950′ grille treatment and other smooth body changes and then the wild interior and paint from the mid to late 1950’s… Brilliant.
Enjoy the beauty of Customizing
February 3, 2015 at 06:43 #22037PaulieParticipantThanks for the kind words Rik. I thought the people here might dig the concept.
Would you mind moving it to the main forum though please? I feel it might more interaction with other members there. Thank you.
February 3, 2015 at 11:37 #22079Rik HovingKeymasterDone.
Enjoy the beauty of Customizing
February 3, 2015 at 12:06 #22081Quentin HallParticipantA very good enjoyable read. Like your humor. Ol’ Lucky is starting to look like a babe. Its really good to have a build date like you have done. Gives a real perspective to each modification that is made. That interior is out there.
Tell your mates to post a well. Really good to get a feel for what others are up to. Where are you based?
Keep the posts coming. -
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