Author Archives: Ken Altes
In 1949, Plymouth introduced the first all-steel body station wagon, the Suburban. This 1953 could have the new Hydrive automatic transmission, a manual with a torque converter that eliminated shifting between second and third, sharing its oil with the engine. Specifications for this car here. Seems like a very rare car because I couldn’t find another on the web. (The car, a Cisitalia Abarth, at top left sold at auction in Austin for $4.2 million.)
1956 Mercury Montclair 2-door hardtop in SW Austin at Mercury Charlie’s garage. The stock Montclair featured a 312 ci OHV V8 making 225 hp, a 12-volt electric system, standard dual exhausts, automatic self-lube and the Ford Lifeguard safety system that included a flexible deep-dish steering wheel, safety door locks, tubeless tires, and a breakaway safety glass rear view mirror. Childproof rear door locks, seatbelts, and a padded dashboard were optional. I’ve take a bunch of pics of this wonderful Merc and I wouldn’t be surprised if this car has been warmed up a bit.
Here is what they say about themselves: “Charlie’s crew is skilled in all aspects of customization and old-school hot rodding. Fabricators. Mechanical savants. Horsepower wranglers … operating under the influence of a man who has been a custom-car icon since long before reality TV muscled its way onto the Central Texas car scene. You might say we’re the real deal, as not seen on cable.” It’s all true!
Charlie has generously permitted me to freely take many pics at his garages and is a regular stop in my travels. Here’s a bit of history about Charlie and hot rodding in America. Thanks, Charlie!
Hippie Hollow is famous for being the only legal nude swimming spot in Texas, located on Lake Travis on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. Nearby on Hwy 620, I stopped at a mechanic’s garage to get pics of this really neat 1955 Chevrolet custom with 1957 Packard taillights. Not sure if I should call it ‘Pro Street’ because I don’t have a better picture of the engine, but it sure has the stance of a drag car.
Here’s a fine combination of a customized classic car in a Pro Street package. I was happy to find this blown 1955 Chevrolet Handyman wagon at a small car show in far North Dallas, Texas. The 1957 Packard taillights are nice, but I have seen those taillights on another custom ’55, picture added below.
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