Hall Of Famer, Lee Pratt, has put together many, many great rides over the last 40 years, BUT his newest '49 Ford Coupe transcends being "just another custom" to being truly "Rolling Sculpture In Steel" !
I sat down with Lee at the KKOA 28th Annual Lead Sled Spectacular in Salina, Kansas this past July and we hammered out a long, thought-provoking Interview about his history, his works as a sculptor, and, almost all of the great cars he's put on the street.
However, the story of the finding, concept, construction, showing, painting & driving of this beautiful '49 Coupe was so intriguing that I had to break it down into TWO PARTS.
PART 1: Dealt with Lee's background, his move from Iowa to California, his favorite Ford Customs, his finding this Special '49, the style & concept of the build, and showing it with his good friend, Jimmie Vaughan's '54 Ford Victoria built by Gary Howard.
NOW, IN PART 2, We cover painting this gorgeous "shoe box", Lee's new-found faith in the venerable Ford Flathead, AND, getting it on the road as a REAL driver !
Along the way we learn that the paint was left over from an unfinished project, the engine came out of an unusual location, and, that you should always keep an eye on your gas gauge...especially on a long-distance haul !!
Enjoy this rare, one-on-one story from one of the nicest, most laid-back, artists/customizers in the Hall Of Fame...a true Craftsman in every sense of the word. I truly admire Lee because he actually builds his own cars in his private warehouse in L.A. JK
(Above left & right: Lee's '49, and his pal, Jimmie Vaughan's '54, where you'll usually see 'em...On The Road ! )
(Above left & right: Ads for the New 1949 Ford ! Below: The Owner's Manual for "Your New 1949 Ford" ! Remember when the Owner's Manual you got with a new car actually looked REALLY COOL ?)
[To see some of Lee's Sculpture's check-out his WebSite: http://www.sculpture.org/portfolio/sculptorPage.php?sculptor_id=1001004 ]
