Chrysler "HEMI" 364 ci V-8
Six Stromber Carburetors
Approximately 350bhp
Three speed manual transmission
Four wheel drum brakes

Historic and flamboyant Gene Howard custom
Poplar Customs magazine 1965 cover car
Great example of a true American custom
50s Chrsysler Hemi power



The custom car of the 1960s is a uniquely American creation. The melding of automotive styling and hot rodding came to a high point in this ere. The pure artistic expression of these rolling sculptures has brought new appreciation to these cars as expressions of their time.

Custom cars of the 1960s varied from mildly modified stock machines to the most ambitious re workings like "Truly Rare". Heavily reworked customs are completely new cars as they bear no resemblance to what ever served as the starting point.

Because of their impracticality most elaborate customs are lost today. Since they were not typically intended for road use they did not have much practical use. Until only recently were they appreciated for what they are and bu then it was too late as the majority that had been lost to time.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This important and ambitious custom is one of those few survivors. Amazingly it survives in a time war 1960s condition. Built in the early 1960s by customizer and body man Gene Howard of Bloomington Illinois. Howard owned a local body shop and initially began building customs to advertise his skills.

"Truly rare" was built around a 1950 Buick. The body was channeled 6" and rides on a frame fabricated from a '50 and '51 Buick and Olds. The body bears little resemblance to a Buick as it is equal parts '51 Olds and '50 Cadillac. The front end and sides are heavily reworked with a flowing plastic look. 60 Plymouth taillights nestle into the deep scallops in the rear fenders.

Don Wallace prepared the hot '51 Chrysler engine. The 364ci Hemi features a ¾ cam and six Stromberg carburetors. Mandy Holder sprayed the original lavender pearl paint. The interior was trimmed out in a wild white diamond pleat design with bucket seats front and rear and deep fuzzy rugs. The instrumentation is all 55 Buick.

Offered today in its final 1960s show livery. Slightly updated from its original appearance and a few changes such as wheel steering in place of the original T handle steering. A bit aged today it is none the less complete and ready for a new life of showing and appreciating. The chance of finding another period custom in such original untouched condition is "Truly Rare" indeed,