Shade Tree Shoebox"I started this car at the age of 59, and had many days when I just wanted to sit on the couch and pray the car would finish itself," says Bruce Doss of his '50 Ford. After 4 years of both praying and working, his North Carolina-based coupe is finally done, on the road, and lookin' good.
Bruce started by enlisting Johnny Gill to help install a '74 Camaro subframe (which in turn got Fatman dropped spindles), and then installed an LT1 350 from a '95 Cadillac. Lowering blocks out back helped the stance, while the 17-inch BMW wheels were wrapped in 205/50 radials.
"Unless one has ever prepped a body for paint, they have no idea how much work is required if you want a decent job," Bruce says. He did his own paint prep after repairing rust with EMS panels and customizing with a '51 hood and decklid, rolled pans, and frenched headlights and taillights. Gary Trull sprayed the flawless two-tone paint. Inside, the modified '51 dash was fitted with TCP electronic gauges and Vintage Air.
"You may already know the value and pleasure we get from car publications," Bruce concludes, "but just in case you have forgotten, the magazine allows me and many others to be a part of great people and cars for such a small cost. Most of every decision required for building our '50 was based on something published in a magazine. Thanks for the many long hours you and your staff give to entertain and educate us 'Shade Tree Dreamers.'"
The Prez's CadFrankie Hicks is the president of the Old National Cruisers Car Club in Atlanta, Georgia, (www.oldnationalcruisers.com) so you know he must drive a cruiser of presidential proportions. His ride is this 1960 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, which has undergone a frame-off reconstruction and is now powered by a 454ci Chevrolet big-block. Other than the engine and a set of wire wheels, the De Ville has few mods, but it's still classy enough to have won numerous First Place trophies, and has been featured on several film sets, including the music video for "Straight Cadillac Pimpin'," by 8 Ball & MJG.
Kansas New Yorker"I am sending you a snapshot of my '65 Chrysler New Yorker," writes Ernest Forester, of Ft. Scott, Kansas. "I would like this to be in your magazine. I have had this car for 32 years." Ernest says the car was a driver for many years, was parked for a few more, and has been an in-progress cruiser more recently. Ernest has lowered the suspension and installed aftermarket wheels, lakes pipes, and spotlights. He even re-covered the blue and white interior himself. While the body is still in primer, we can envision it gliding down the boulevard in a cool, '60s-style metallic blue hue someday soon. Sound good, Ernest?
Generations"Generations connect in many ways," says Lowell Grant. "This '55 Studebaker President is one of those ties between my dad who owned one, and my son, Mark, who virtually built this car himself to help fulfill a 50-year-old fantasy of mine."