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Feel free to ask me any questions about the car : kamilah.lefton@vfemail.net .
1947 FORD- HARDTOP, A HISTORIC KUSTOM MAGAZINE SHOW CAR
YOU CAN BUILD A LEAD SLED BUT YOU CAN’T BUILD HISTORY! THIS RADICAL KUSTOM HARDTOP HAS BEEN IN MAGAZINES & CAR
SHOWS SINCE 1958 !
This 1947 Ford was radically customized over a 2 year build period between 1955 1957
FIRST INDRODUCED ON THE 1958 show circuit As
“The Gooney Bird”
This 1947 Ford was radically customized between 1955-1957 in upstate New York by Ronlyn Collision. This Ford was
Named after the historical Douglas C47/ DC-3 used in WW2 and Korean War known as “The Gooney Bird”, by the
pilots who fly them, the name was given to the car by the owner who was a member of the U.S. Air force during the
Korean War, he also was responsible for grafted on the 1951 Crown Victoria top at his shop Ronlyn Collision. The
car now official known as “The Gooney Bird” competed and WON FIRST PLACE in its class at the very First Clutch
Artist AUTO-RAMA in Buffalo New York , July 12-13 1958. The car has been featured in late 50’s and early 60’s
Car Craft and Hotrod Magazines as well as in the 1958 NYC NAPA Calendar. “The Gooney Bird” was featured in Car
Craft magazine while being shown at the 1962 Buffalo New York Autorama show at the Masten Ave Armory, by the time
that show was held the car had already won 6- 1st place trophies in it’s radical hardtop class, it is considered
one of the most significant historical customs ever built in the 1950’s to still be fully 100% road worthy and
operational today.
This 1947 Ford is a true example of an all steel old school 1950’s kustom.
I HAVE INCLUDED A COUPLE OF SPECIAL HISTORICAL PHOTOS, WHEN THE CAR WAS FIRST BUILT IT WAS CAMPAIGNED ON THE SHOW
CIRCUIT IN ORANGE AND ONE OF THESE SHOTS WAS COLORIZED TO ILLUSTRATE THAT.
The Famous George Barris Crest: The story go’s that When Barris first saw “the Gooney Bird” sometime in 1997
while in Buffalo NY it had just undergone a frame off restoration and was still being prep for paint, his initial
instinct was that his brother Sam had either built this 1947 Ford or somehow had a hand in building it, when he
realized that Sam hadn’t built the car he wanted to badge this 1947 Ford Coupe with his logo Crests stating that
it is a true example of a traditional historical 1950’s custom that he and Sam would have built and deserved to
ware the famous Barris Crest, this is the ultimate endorsement by the King of custom cars., George also signed his
name to the dash. “The Gooney Bird” has worn those famous Barris Crest ever since that time. NOTE: I ALSO HAVE
ALL THE ORIGINAL PHOTOS OF THE FRAME OFF BUILD, OVER 3 DOZEN OF THEM.
The car was frame off restored between 1996- 1997, most of the original lead from the 1955/57 build was removed
during this time, the body was soda blasted and a fresh engine was installed, the car had ran a Buick Nailhead
engine since the 1950’s, that engine was replaced with a big block Oldsmobile engine which remained in the car
until 2009 when the 2002 Ford GT 4.6 engine & trans was installed. 57 years after its original build the body lines
are still beautiful and the car runs flawlessly.
After being taken out of the public eye for many years “The Gooney Bird” showed up on the show circuit again
in 2000 and went on to take second in its class at the 2000 Detroit Autorama, it’s also on the 2004 December
cover of KKOA magazine. It won a Preservation Award at the 2009 -6th annual Ink–n-Iron show held at the Queen
Mary in Long Beach California then it took 2nd place “Post War Custom” in 2010 at the Long Beach Motorama. Was
chosen Best Custom award at the 2011 West Coast Kustoms “Cruisin Nationals” Santa Maria show by Rodz Deluxe for
its workmanship. In 2012 Car Kulture De Luxe did a beautiful 3 page color center fold spread on the car. In July
of 2014 the car won The Crown Of Lake Arrowhead for best Kustom car on the mountain.
Here is a overview of the vehicle; all Items highlighted in RED were upgraded on the car since 2009.
Body:
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1947 Ford Coupe Body, converted to a Hardtop
1951 Ford Crown Victoria Hard Top – Chopped and grafted on (NOS Trim)
Extended / Re proportion trunk header 10”
Back window/ reported to be from a canopy used by aircraft gunners, very thick plastic installed in th
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