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"CALICO
SURFER"
This
vehicle was designed and built exclusively for Mr. Calvin Clark
of Palos Verdes, Calif., publisher of International Surfing magazine
and contractor, for $22,000 in the 60's. The car was designed
for street use plus exhibitions throughout the nation.
Complete body was formed in a wooden buck and then shaped in 20
gauge steel fitted to the design contours. The complete sectional
side panels were formed of ash wood and dyed in a royal blue organic
toner. The outlining sections were bleached in white to completely
accentuate the long surfboard style silhouette. The top is a cosmopolitan
design cantilevered section with the rear half installed permanently,
plus a removable front half panel that can be fitted into place
in case of rain. The grille is concaved and formed to fit into
the grille shell assembly in a perforated vented chromed metal
insert. The radiator ornament is spun in brass with the emblem
taken from a sculptured gold plated champion surfer. The headlights
operate electrically from each side of the shell panel by pushing
a button from the dash.
Imported from France, Cibie rectangular beams are encased in a
chrome bezel and formed to fit the unique light doors. Fenders
are rolled from 20 gauge steel and attached to the front and rear
panels with fore and aft design extension. The rear body panel
has a complete full taillight with a chrome concave insert panel
plus an overlay of grille material matching the front. Tail directional
lights are on a sequential right and left system utilizing fourteen
bulbs. For a unique touch the front directional lights are made
from brushed bronze lanterns, antique designed and attached to
the windshields post. The windshields is blue tinted semi-curve
with a complete steel frame and white ash wood inserts. Wheels
are deep dished chrome plated steel rims with blue anodized Reynolds
Aluminum centers and ribbed sections with brushed edges by Rader.
Tires are Goodyear blue streaks super sport racing tread on front
and eleven inch slicks on the rear. The chassis is made of rectangular
3"x2" steel tubing and supported for added safety strength
with the front and assembly re-engineered from a Corvair using
independent coils and A-frame assemblies.
Steering is taken from an Econoline Ford pickup with an added
U joint in case of direct impact to eliminate pushing steering
shaft into driver. Rear end is from Fairlane Ford with a 327 gear
ratio. Engine is taken from 289 Hi-performance Mustang and equipped
with a Paxton supercharger and ISKY cam for added horsepower and
cubic inches. Complete engine compartment is chrome plated and
trimmed in Kandy blue heat resistant porcelain enamel. The dash
was the latest safety design with a complete air foam panel and
all dials counter sunk one inch. Plus, the horn button center
hub is made of solid foam all made from striped crushed red velvet.
The seats are reclining head high body contoured aircraft made
of crushed red velvet and hand embroidered red and white center
sections.
Complete back section is made of mouton fur trimmed in crushed
striped red velvet. For the ultimate in music, Muntz StereopPak
has installed a complete tape deck system with 6 speakers. A powder
blue dial General Electric telephone system is used. Body and
fender color is Ocean Blue pearl of essence imported from the
Orient, finished in forty coats of hand rubbed lacquer. This body
pearl color is a contrast in the vivid high lustrous dye wood
grain coloring in blue and white. |
