THE 2024 SYRACUSE NATIONALS

If James Dean had seen this 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline, he would probably have traded his Porsche for a fast ride with friends!  And imagine Marilyn Monroe, hair in the wind, in this blue wonder, it’s a scene worthy of a Hollywood movie!

THE CAR IN DETAILS
Paul White’s 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline from Portland, Maine is a true custom car masterpiece of the 50s. With a low roof that gave the Back Bay Customs craftsmen a hard time. Paul has had this car for 22 years. This car is a perfect blend of more minimalist style from the 1950s with less chrom trims. The suicide doors add a touch of mystery and danger, as if the car itself had a secret to reveal. The bulging look of the hood in its front portion has been reduced compared to a factory Fleetline, giving this blue beauty an enhanced elegance.

The front grille has been simplified, with no vertical chrome bars. It is now narrower in height, giving the car a more modern and clean look. The bumpers, with simplified design, were specially created for this unique vehicle. It is equipped with two oval rear lights from Corvette C5, adding a touch of modernity to this timeless classic. Under the hood, a powerful V8 engine roars, ready to devour the road.

The beige leather interior and the custom dashboard with two dials, crossed by a horizontal chrome band, add a touch of luxury and sophistication. The black centre console, with its four small dials in its upper part, completes this perfect picture.

In short, this 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline is much more than a modified car. It is a rolling work of art, a tribute to a custom car era gone by, and a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of Back Bay Customs. It’s a good opportunity to walk around Old Orchard Beach!

If Elvis Presley had seen this customized 1951 Ford Convertible, he would most likely have swapped his mother’s pink Cadillac for a ride in Burgundy and Gold! And imagine Audrey Hepburn, sunglasses and a scarf in the wind, in this wonder, it’s a scene worthy of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s!”

THE CAR'S DECORTICATION
Eric Henderson’s 1951 Ford Convertible from LaSalle, Ontario is a true gem on wheels. With a removable hardtop of 4-inch lowered from a circa 1953 Ford Victoria, this car is an ideal combination of refinement and power. The chrome strip on the top of the doors, with its striped pattern, adds a touch of elegance and sophistication.

The brown and beige leather seats offer luxurious comfort, while the metallic and white beige dashboard, with its custom 3-spoke fine steering wheel, gives this beauty an irresistible retro look.

A Mercury hood, lowered a few inches, and specially chosen circular tail lights add a unique touch to this exceptional car. The Mercury’s rear bumper section and simplified front grille, with a specially built center section, give this Ford a clean look.

The front bumper, without its vertical sections, and the contour of the headlights without chrome section add a touch of simplicity and sophistication. The large Italian car inspired air intake integrated on the hood completes this perfect picture.

In conclusion, this 1951 Ford Convertible exceeds the status of simple dream car. It is a true work of art on wheels, a vibrant recognition of a past period, and a testimony to the exceptional talent of Eric Henderson and his brother.

I would see this car cruising in Niagara Falls, and walk through the location scenes of the movie of the same name starring Marilyn Monroe!

If this 1953 Chevrolet Pick-Up could talk, it would probably tell you that it has seen more celebrities than the red carpet at the Oscars! Imagine Marilyn Monroe and James Dean pitting each other for a ride in this red metallic jewel.

THE VEHICLE IN DETAILS
This pickup, lovingly restored by Jim Thompson, made a memorable appearance in an episode of "Bitchin' Ride" TV show. The rear box has been completely redone, with a rear panel inspired by the 1955-1957 Nomad with its chrome stripes.

Checkered patterns adorn several parts of the truck, including the grid of the removable air intake in front of the windshield. The roof has been lowered by about 4 inches, and chrome window contours add a touch of elegance. The white interior with red carpets completes this 1950's retro look.

You know that you are dealing with a special car when even the headlights are those of a 1961 Corvette modeled at the front fenders, giving an appearance of double elongated bumps. Imagine Clark Gable leaning forward to admire the chrome-plated 3-strip grille, specially made for this vehicle.

The hood has been lowered for a more elegant look, and small shapes have been added to the front bumper. In the cockpit, a 1959 Impala steering wheel was installed, and the speedometer is inspired by those of the 1953 Oldsmobile. The body was cut from front to back to reduce its height. The rear bumper was built from scratch. Specially designed dual rear lights add a finishing touch to this masterpiece.

And let’s not forget the American flag proudly attached under the front plate, in tribute to veteran soldiers, of which the husband of Pamela Thompson, the owner, was one.

In summary, this metallic red 1953 Chevrolet Pick-Up is much more than just a truck. It is a rolling art jewel, a celebration of creativity inspired by the times of old, and a testament to the love and dedication of its owners.

I would see this truck driving on scenic Pennsylvania country roads along a river or lake and stopping at an old gas station to fill it up!

This 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air is a real legend on wheels, having been able to transport in a parralel period, more celebrities than you could imagine!  See Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant arguing with an umbrella for a ride in this blue gem.”

THE CAR IN DETAILS
This BelAir, transformed into a typical “Radical Custom” the 1950s way by Bill Layman, is a true custom car marvel of the era. The roof was lowered 3 1/4 inches, and the car was lowered with a suspension set. The tail lights are integrated into raised pointed wings called fins, inspired by 1956 Chrysler cars.

The rear lights section was lengthened by 14 inches, as if they had been stretched. Triangular openings were drilled in the upper part to integrate red lights. The grille has 15 thin chrome teeth instead of the original 5 of the factory car. The contours of the front headlights are chromeless for a more minimalist look.

You know that you are dealing with a special car even though the wheel covers are inspired by the 50s, with 4 narrow cross-section sticks. Imagine Little Richard leaning to the side of the car to admire the white paint strip and chrome contours adapted to the stretched body.

The front bumper has been reworked with the addition of 2 spikes at the ends aligned with the front headlights. White-flanked tires are mounted on the rims, enhancing its retro look. Inside, a 1959 Impala steering wheel has been installed, and the dashboard is the same blue as the body. The seats and door panels are beige in colour, adding a touch of sophistication to this unique vehicle.

This blue 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air is not only a custom car. It is a more radical-looking, rolling art creation, a celebration of a bygone era, and an attestation of the passion of its owners.

What would be nice, would be to see this car deembular on some main street of the United States having a facade of a cinema decorated with neon lights at dusk.

Project yourself into 1949, meeting John Wayne driving this beautiful red Chevrolet Fleetline, a smile on his face, going to the studio for the dectective movie "Big Jim McLain". Yes, that’s exactly what you’ll feel when you see “The Old Man”, Jason “London J” Handsor’s collector car, lovingly restored by Grenade Garage, Kenny G and Chip Coffin. And if you think this car is just another old custom car, think again!  It’s as if Elvis Presley himself had given his royal blessing.

DESCRIPTION OF A RARE BEAUTY
This beautiful car was seen at the prestigious Concours d'Élégance de Cobble Beach in 2023, where it caused a sensation in its class with its neat modifications. The car has been lowered by 3 inches at the front and 4 inches at the back, giving this Fleetline a more aggressive and racy look.

With an air ride suspension, the car glides on the road like a ballerina on stage. The small round lights at the back add a touch of retro charm, while the wheel cover center caps with vintage Cadillac logos recall the glory days of the automobile.

The hood has been lowered for an even cooler look. The chrome teeths of the front grill come from a 1954 Corvette, adding a touch of class and nostalgic elegance. In the interior, it’s a white paradise. Decorative 2 colors pinstripes have been added here and there to the body for a touch of enhanced beauty.

The owner, who comes from a family of fanatics who love custom cars, named this beauty “The Old Man” in honour of his father. And to top it off, the “Good Things Never Die” hand painted inscription appears on the back, a poignant reminder that good things never die.

In short, the 1949 Jason “London J” Handsor’s Chevrolet Fleetline is more than just a classic car. It is a roaring eulogy to a custom car era gone by, a masterpiece of restoration and a declaration of love to classic elegance.

The car would look great cruising on a scenic road surrounding Georgian Bay in the Owen Sound region of Ontario during a weekend of Concours d'Élégance!

Imagine in 1951, meeting Grace Kelly arriving at the studio of the film "Fourteen Hours" driving this black and salmon Ford Custom, a dazzling smile on her lips. Yes, that’s exactly what you’ll feel when you discover this marvel restored by John St-Germain about thirty years ago.

And if you think this car is just another good old classic car, think again!  It’s as if Grace herself has graciously given her permission.

THE CAR IN DETAILS
This beauty made its first appearance at the Syracuse Nationals under the current ownership of a couple from Detroit. It’s been a real eye-catcher with its elegant colours. Under the hood, a two carburetor V8 is roaring like a lion in a cage.

The chrome-plated centre section of the front grille has been removed and replaced with a wide chrome section, giving this Ford a unique and bold look. The vertical front bumpers have been replaced by two kind of spheres, adding a touch of modernity to this timeless customised classic 2 tones coupe.

2 WELL-CHOSEN PERIOD CORRECT BODY COLORS
In the cockpit, it’s a black and beige paradise, with a salmon-painted dashboard that recalls the car’s days of grace. The steering wheel of a Ford Crestline proudly features the number 7 in its center, a nod to the history of this car.

A RECENT ACQUISITION
The owner, a member of the Detroit Ambassadors, recently bought this beauty from the person who built it. His wife, a fanatic of the 1950s decade, perfectly completes the picture with her retro dress look. And to top it off, the vintage wheel covers with white-flanked tires add a final touch of 1950s elegance.

Therefore, the 1950 Ford Custom by Bill Jagenow is more than just an exhibition car. It’s a tribute to a bygone era, a masterpiece of restoration, and customisation, moreover a perfect combination of sophistication and grace from the 1950s decade.

Where could you see in an ideal setting this car? In front of the old train station and of course, or in front of the building where the FO MO CO offices in Detroit!

After a dazzling exhibition of the 6 selected cars of the most sparkling one as the other, the suspense was at its peak. The Grand Winner of the sparkling trophy and the handsome $10,000 was... drum rolls... the 1951 Ford convertible!

And guess what, hey?

It belongs to a Canadian from LaSalle, Ontario, who must now have a smile as wide as the front bumper of his car!

That concludes this review of the "Winfield Select 6"!

INVITATION TO QUEBEC AND CANADIAN OWNERS
To the owners of this kind of car, it could be an interesting challenge for you to try your luck to get selected for this competition. Imagine having in your car’s CV, the following mention: "Participating or winning car of the Winfield select 6" of the Syracuse Nationals!

If an Ontario homeowner could win this prestigious award, why not a guy or girl from other Canadian provinces?