smgutierrezsb Posted July 21, 2020 Report Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) Hey ya'll. Thanks for adding me to the forum. Taking a bit of a leap of faith by bringing up the dreaded "kustom" word, but I'll give some back story. I grew up in Northern California going to shows with my pops and always liked the kustom crowd. I remember as a youngster seeing a '51 Merc with a DeSoto grill for the first time and telling my dad, "I want one of those". His response was something along the lines of "Sure kid, you've got champagne taste on a beer budget". Being that young I didn't know the grill wasn't original to the car. Fast forward many years and many cars later I came across a 1951 DeSoto Custom that needed a home. Guys usually rob the grills and bumpers and leave them to rot so I decided to give it the full custom treatment it deserved. Inspired by the Barris & Ayala's of Southern California I wanted to do something traditional that gave the '51 a facelift while still being true to its roots. Not slammed. No bags. No SBC. No tricks, just the good stuff. Here are some photos as it stands today and a list of the custom bits. Shaved and molded all around 4.5" chop Reshaped rear wheel openings Headlights extended 1" & frenched stock rings 1956 DeSoto 330 hemi w/ dual quds 1953 DeSoto Grill (STILL LOOKING FOR THE 2 OUTER MOST TEETH & WILLING TO BUY) 1956 DeSoto dash 1955 DeSoto wheel covers 1951 Packard spear trim 1956 Hudson tail lights Overrider using 1951 DeSoto bumper guards and 1951 Mercury center bar Ford shoebox rear window Will be painted 1951 factory solid midnight blue Will post more as things happen. I might be hounding ya'll for some parts! Edited July 21, 2020 by smgutierrezsb 8 1 Quote
Sniper Posted July 21, 2020 Report Posted July 21, 2020 That is one slick looking DeSoto. Bodywork was never my forte and I stand in awe of work like that. Quote
keithb7 Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 It does look like a good cruiser. Nice work. Quote
plymjim Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 Sweet job! Makes me want to take the sawzall to my '48. Quote
Sniper Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 lol. taking the sawzall to a ride is easy, know where and how much to cut is the art. Quote
50mech Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) I like the tail light job particularly. Edit: not so big a fan of the amount of roof chop without a whole lot of other stuff to balance that but I still think it's fantastic work. Edited July 23, 2020 by 50mech 1 Quote
RNR1957NYer Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 Welcome - sweet ride! Kudos on the DeSoto engine upgrade and the metalwork - looking forward to watching your progress! Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 I'll chip in for a quart of paint and a brillo pad for the tires....good start, hope this is not the finished look.... Quote
smgutierrezsb Posted July 22, 2020 Author Report Posted July 22, 2020 3 hours ago, Plymouthy Adams said: I'll chip in for a quart of paint and a brillo pad for the tires....good start, hope this is not the finished look.... ? the tires definitely need a good clean...I didn't want to buy them at the beginning because I knew they would get filthy, but I wanted to make sure the huge 4-1/4" whitewall looked proportional. I don't know, maybe a 3-1/4" WW would look more appropriate? Quote
Stargrinder Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 That is shaping up to be one sick ride. Nice work! Quote
lepic56 Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 WOW!! A true Barry's works,,, and all Mopar (close enough) , you are a master craftsman. Can't wait to see more pics.. any older pics like went you first got it!!?? Quote
greg g Posted July 22, 2020 Report Posted July 22, 2020 Not usually a big fan of customs but that looks good. Good luck finishing it up. Quote
T120 Posted July 23, 2020 Report Posted July 23, 2020 Welcome to the forum.Thank you for posting the photos and details of the work done to date. Along with other forum members, I like your concept, some original ideas and also look forward to more photos. ☺️ Quote
MackTheFinger Posted July 23, 2020 Report Posted July 23, 2020 Looks good. The chop and the Ford rear window make it look a lot less stodgy. Is that a '40 Merc back there? Quote
smgutierrezsb Posted July 23, 2020 Author Report Posted July 23, 2020 8 hours ago, lepic56 said: WOW!! A true Barry's works,,, and all Mopar (close enough) , you are a master craftsman. Can't wait to see more pics.. any older pics like went you first got it!!?? Oh I won't pretend to be a craftsman! I took it to someone for the sheet metal fabrication work. My limited skills only go so far. Here are some before photos. It was repainted a bluish-green at some point. 1 Quote
smgutierrezsb Posted July 23, 2020 Author Report Posted July 23, 2020 1 hour ago, MackTheFinger said: Looks good. The chop and the Ford rear window make it look a lot less stodgy. Is that a '40 Merc back there? Yes sir. Belongs to the owners of the shop. Beautiful car. Quote
ggdad1951 Posted July 28, 2020 Report Posted July 28, 2020 please remember NO soliciting on the main forums. Quote
dwest999 Posted July 29, 2020 Report Posted July 29, 2020 I'm not a huge fan of the '49 - '52 Mopars as the roof lines always look a bit too tall to me. Your car looks great! Quote
smgutierrezsb Posted July 29, 2020 Author Report Posted July 29, 2020 20 hours ago, ggdad1951 said: please remember NO soliciting on the main forums. Apologies! Will keep that in mind in the future Quote
DonnieT Posted July 29, 2020 Report Posted July 29, 2020 Welcome. And nice lookin ride. I'd like to request a pic of the hemi. Lol. DonnieT Quote
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