The Wayne Detroit Custom Shop?
WAYNE DETROIT CUSTOM SHOP
The Wayne Auto Customs Works Inc. from Detroit, Michigan, who knows more about this shop?
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e always love it when people show up with those rare Custom Car related items, or with information about a Custom Car, or Custom Shop we have never seen or heard about.
David Zivot is one of those people who always comes up with some neat Custom Car historic info, goodies, and cars. David donated an old matchbook cover that he came across in one of his many quests. The cover is from a company called The Wayne Auto Custom Works Inc. a company from Detroit Michigan. David had never heard about this Custom Shop, and neither have we. We have asked around, but so far nobody could share any more information on this Custom Shop.
The matchbook cover is the only thing we have ever seen of this shop before, but apparently the shop was big enough, or at least have money enough to spend it on creating this custom made matchbook cover. The front of the cover is done in a darker red with printing in silver and black. The backside had a lit of the companies specialties printed in black. The matchbook cover was produced by the Diamond Match Co. N.Y.C.
The matchbook cover sample we have was never Folded, nor had the striking patch attached to it. So it looks like it was also used as a business card or so. It looks to have been produced in the later 1940’s or early 1950’s.
The front and backside of the matchbook shown side by side.
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The front side shows
The Wayne Auto Custom Works Inc.
44 – 60 Brady
DETROIT, Mich.
Telephone
COlumbia 2900-1
The backside reads
For
Auto Body Rebuilding
Auto Painting
Upholstery
Collision Work
Estimates
Inspections
Call COlumbia 2900
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The big question is, who knows more about this Custom Shop from Detroit? Was it a Custom shop as we know it like the once from Barris, Ayala etc. Or was it perhaps more like a couchbuilder like Coachcraft? What kind of Custom Cars did they create, how many, and for how long? Hopefully we can find out more about the Wayne Auto Custom Works.
If you have any rare, unique, or just nice Custom Car related objects, that you would like to know more about, or would like to share with other Custom Car enthusiast. Please let us know. We would love to include them here on the Custom Car Chronicle.
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Very Interesting Rik.
I grew up in the Detroit area but by the time I came along all of the “Custom” shops were closed.
The guy to contact would be fasi over on the Hamb, if he is still around.
He grew up in Detroit as well but much earlier than me.
He built the great clone of the 2nd version of Father Ernst -Barris built Bel Air.
The last time I talked with him he was telling me about being in the Clarkaiser custom shop while they were building the Utopia I believe.
Another custom mystery to solve.
Torchie.
Thanks Torchie, I send Keith an message, he is still around. I hope he knows more. If he does, I will add it to this article.
Rik
I’m kicking myself. I’ve looked everywhere for a card of a guy who ……I was diving a black 57 Biarritz from Boston to LA in 92. I’d just been to the Cadillac factory. I was driving down a main drag when a Corvette drives but and does this big blue smoke spin and starts chasing up behind me. He was tooting and waving, I was terrified. But he pulled up beside me and said. “Follow me”. We drove a couple of blocks to an old panel shop. We drove behind. I was still a bit scared till I spotted a 54 Eldo wreck in the grass. He lifted the roller and there was a pristine perfect, 54 Eldo. He was really cool and stoked that I was driving the 57 cross country. I took some pics. He gave me his card. And on my way I went. I am 98% his surname was Wayne. That damn card was in a wallet that I kept all this time till recently my son pull them out to use the wallet. I have found some if the cards that were in there but not that one…… Damn…..would be too cool if he was related but stranger things have happened. I’ll have to tidy my sons room. No mean feat.