Random Custom Car Photos

[Mark]

Larry Pointer wrote:

I would like to comment that the balance achieved in the form and flow of lines in this Ford coupe is…have to say is absolutely perfect. The restrained, tasteful elimination of distracting elements is a true celebration of that coveted 40’s traditional custom look. Good on you, mate!

Thank you Larry, that’s very nice feedback. Regards Mark

[Rik Hoving]

Rob Radcliffe did a really fantastic discovery yesterday. He was browsing through some older @mecum_auctions Auction results when he came across an 1951 Ford Coupe with a chop that looked very familiar. After comparing the 2021 photos with the photos of an article on the Custom Car Chronicle about the Jim McClaren Shoebox Ford restyled by Gil and Al Ayala, he came to the conclusion that this must be the same car. WOW… Another Ayala Custom Car Found… well, discovered.
According the Mecum auction site the car might not have been sold, it is listed as $45,000 High Bid. Does anybody from the Huston Texas area knows the cars current whereabouts? It would be so great if this one could be received of all its 80’90’s ugliness and turned into it’s 1952 Ayala beauty again.

The car was listed as “Originally customized by George Barris in 1954”. But clearly somewhere along the line the original builders name must have been mixed up, or perhaps at one point after 1956 the Barris Shop did some additional work on the car.

Bruce Bartlett, who supplied me with a few original photos of his friend Jim McClaren’s car shared the history of the car. Jim drove his 1951 Ford in 1952 to a show a friend knew.
“We drove up there one Saturday morning to see if they would be interested in painting the car. This turned into a whole new plan. The shop was called “Ayala Bros. Custom Shop“. Al Ayala was the body man, and his brother Gil Ayala was the painter. I was really excited about it. They had the car in the shop from October 1952 until about December 1952. They painted it a sort of candy apple red. I had the door panels done at Gaylord’s in South Gate, but couldn’t afford to have him do the whole interior!! I drove the car that way for about 2 years I think. I sold the car in 1956 to a guy that was in the Air Force Stationed in Wichita, Texas and that was the last I heard of it.

Enjoy the beauty of Customizing

[Rik Hoving]

A few more photos

I did a Photoshop to see how it would look without all the silliness.

Enjoy the beauty of Customizing

[Tinwolf]

It would be so great if this one could be received of all its 80’90’s ugliness and turned into it’s 1952 Ayala beauty again.

I second that , “dummy spots and lakepipes” , get with the “trad kustom” program , looking forward to the “speedboat” stance , lol . On the other hand it survived , someone took care of it and passed it on , lets hope for the best , an Ayala built gem in waiting for a restoration .

Wolf

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Tinwolf.

[Rik Hoving]

Jeff Neppl’s father had Keith Dean create this beautiful 1951 Mercury 4-door convertible for him.

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[Rik Hoving]

Jim Stockton shared these pictures from the 1987 Leadsled Spectacular event….

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[Rik Hoving]

Scott Pavey shared these neat pictures from the ‘81 Street Rod Nats in Columbus, OH…

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[Michu]

In this colorized film from 1952 there is a nice mild 40 Mercury at 0:45

 

[Rik Hoving]

Ha,  I had seen that as well, I was able to get a bit sharper screen shot. Really nice mild custom.

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[Michu]

Thanks for the better screenshot! A while ago i‘ve spotted this mild 41 in another film from the same youtube channel, it appears two times. Have you seen it too, maybe you have a better screenshot? I’ve just used my cell phone.

[Rik Hoving]

I have seen that one before Michu, but I forgot which Youtube movie that was. If you have a direct link, let me know then I can give it a try.

Enjoy the beauty of Customizing

[Rik Hoving]

Eastbay Speed and Custom shared these neat picture on their Instagram.

“Quick photo dump of the past couple months.”

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[Tony]

Very, very attractive pictures!

[Michu]

Rik, here is the link for the film, the 41 Ford appears about at 3:25 and a second time at 4:24.

That would be great if you could make better screenshots!

[Rik Hoving]

Thanks Michu, this video looks to be of lesser quality than the other… but I tried to get the best possible screen shots.

Enjoy the beauty of Customizing

[Author]

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