Historic Canadian Custom Cars
- This topic has 34 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 2 months ago by Dave (a.k.a. rodncustomdreams).
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December 8, 2016 at 19:37 #45433Dave (a.k.a. rodncustomdreams)Participant
Another nice shot of Ian McDonald’s ’59! I don’t know who was building the “full house” ’35, but it looks like it may have morphed from the “top banana” and then, after this pic, was painted raspberry red and owned by a fellow going to the same high school as me. The ’56 Victoria was built and owned by Ralph Weflan and sported many paint jobs and styling changes in a very brief time (as many customs of the day were). It may not be real evident here, but someone recently reminded me that Ralph had sectioned the car by the time this pic was taken (done in his cousin’s back yard)! Ralph did all body and paint mods himself, and his (brother?) the upholstery!
Dave
Jus' creepin' along..
December 9, 2016 at 07:33 #45438Rik HovingKeymasterEnjoy the beauty of Customizing
December 10, 2016 at 05:22 #45461Dave (a.k.a. rodncustomdreams)ParticipantYes Rik! That’s Ralph’s car during what looks like the sectioning phase..?
This one is Garry Porter and his jet black ’56 Victoria with Merc tail-lights. This one was a major influence on my love for custom cars as Garry lived across the street from me when I was a kid.
Another fine photo from Jim Appleby. Sure glad he took the time and had the photographic skills to document so many local cars!
Dave
Jus' creepin' along..
December 12, 2016 at 09:02 #45552Rik HovingKeymasterEvan Davis Collection photo
More from James Appleby
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December 13, 2016 at 05:20 #45569Dave (a.k.a. rodncustomdreams)ParticipantThe fellow with the 1940 standard coupe is Ken Achs of Saskatoon.
Rik, if this is not the place for this I can remove it, but I thought it might be of some interest since Ken’s speed shop was the source for the accessories (and speed stuff) we all wanted for our “street customs” during the ’60s:
From the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame website –
Saskatoon businessman Ken Achs started racing in 1962 in Calgary at the wheel of a 1940 Ford Coupe with a Buick motor. Two years later, he opened Mid-West Automotive in Saskatoon and built a Chevv-powered C-class dragster. This was the first car to go down the newly-constructed Saskatoon International Raceway in 1966. Ken also raced his car at Bison Raceway in Winnipeg as well as at Calgary and Edmonton.
In 1967, he bought a Top Fuel car from Ed Norton of Seattle. This was the first Top Fuel car in Saskatchewan and he won virtually every race he entered across the prairies that year, competing against U.S. drivers. In 1968, he upgraded to a brand-new Top Fuel car, which he ran for three years, sweeping every race he entered in Canada. He set the low elapsed time and top miles-per-hour marks at the Canadian Nationals in 1968.
In 1971, Ken switched to Funny Cars and continued his success. He won races and championships across the prairies as well as in California, Washington and Oregon. He was the only Canadian competitor to hold both NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car licences in 1971. Due to the demands of business, Ken sold all of his racing equipment in 1973. When asked, he said he did not consider himself a world-class drag racer but rather a fortunate fan who happened to live at a time when going 200 mph was an attainable dream. When asked, Ken graciously tracked down and restored his 1967 Top Fuel dragster and donated it in 2002 to the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame where it is on permanent display.Jus' creepin' along..
December 13, 2016 at 14:52 #45572Rik HovingKeymasterBackground information Dave… Love it.
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December 13, 2016 at 17:42 #45573Nick HoekParticipantI only know this Hudson is a Canadian kustom and that it’s in the Netherlands for probably 30 years now. But I don’t have any more history on it, I do know the owner he doesn’t know the history as well. I think the car was done in the late 50’s and updated in the 60’s.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.December 13, 2016 at 19:33 #45579Dave (a.k.a. rodncustomdreams)ParticipantI can’t offer any info. on the Hudson Nick, but the interior looks to put the timeline right where you figured. It would be cool to see it in blue or white with complimentary scallops!
I can offer some info. on the custom Merc above tho’. That’s my friend Doug Feltham standing with the trophy beside a car originally built by Norm Hall but owned by Doug at the time of the photo. Doug is a Saturday breakfast companion, and currently owns and drives a ’47 sedan. There was such a turnaround of cool cars in Doug’s garage over the years that the running gag was that whatever he drove at the time was another “keeper”..!
Great thread guys!
Dave
Jus' creepin' along..
December 17, 2016 at 08:07 #45680Rik HovingKeymasterMore from James Appleby… 1965
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January 24, 2017 at 07:29 #46886Rik HovingKeymasterA few more from James Appleby…
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January 24, 2017 at 17:41 #46945Dave TartagliaParticipantI found this beauty in the September 1953 issue of Honk! magazine, precursor to Car Craft.
February 9, 2017 at 15:29 #47676Rik HovingKeymasterJames Appleby…
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February 25, 2017 at 08:02 #47900Rik HovingKeymasterShared by Pat O’Connor
Rossini Speed Shop, shop truck. Chatham, Ontario, 1955
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February 25, 2017 at 18:09 #47912Eric HParticipantA few from my little town of Lasalle Ontario across from Detroit
February 25, 2017 at 18:18 #47913Eric HParticipantThese cars belonged to members of ElDragos car club Lasalle.
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