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Just wanted to drop you a line to say how much your efforts are appreciated...without your intervention and willingness to do what you do, most of these unique vehicles would be lost forever. Ever since becoming aware of your collection many years again, I believe, an Automobile Quarterly article, I have followed your progress and successes. Rest assured that there are many of us nationwide that are interested in automotive history, and we are always keeping our eyes peeled for that elusive factory "x-car" that has not yet come to light...and also keeping you in mind as our first phone call. Wishing you continued success.
On with the hunt!
Dave R.
Syracuse, New York
Member - Society of Automotive Historians
Hi Joe,
Thought I'd send some correct info on the White Pearl...It was originally owned and built by a gentleman by the name of John North, who lived just up the street from me in Rockville, Connecticut. I believe you are the the sixth owner. I remember John purchasing it brand new, then proceeding to have it dechromed little by little. It continued to go through changes until it ended up as it now appears. It was always his daily driver, regardless of the weather. I rode in it a few times to outdoor car shows, and I remember that it had a great sounding set of glaspak mufflers. Gene Pitney, who happened to be a good friend and neighbor of mine, was the third owner. He didn't really get to drive it much, as his career was just getting into high gear and he was touring a lot at the time. I remember that it didn't fit all the way into his dad's garage, so he couldn't close the garage doors completely and would tie the handles together to keep them closed. One Saturday night he drove it to a rather rowdy local amusement park where he was performing, and came out after the show to find the windshield broken, and of all things,a bullet hole in the door ! Right then and there he decided to sell it. Gene never did put it any shows, as he's always been a fairly humble person.
I do see John North occasionally, and plan to give him a copy of the latest issue of Car Culture DeLuxe. I'm sure he'll cringe at the sight of the aftermarket hubcaps, blue dots, and tachometer... which were added later. He always had gold wheels with chrome lug nuts, and a tall shifter handle as shown in the Jan.1960 issue of Car Craft magazine. It was also in The Jan. 1960 issue of Hot Rod shown before the rolled pan was done, also in the Nov. 1959 Rod Builder magazine, and on the cover of the August 1960 Hot Rod not to mention the dozens of individual photos of different parts of the car in the "how to" sections of Car Craft, etc.
I believe the white paint color is from a late 50's Lincoln. It looks like the front bumpers got twisted up towards the centers, and the shorty lakes plugs are missing from the front wheel wells. John never did put any solenoids in the doors, thus the non locking vent windows...and the last owner had the rear seat rolled and pleated to match the front. Until then, the stock blue seat was under a white rolled and pleated tonneau cover. I had a chance to buy it back around 1970, but we were just starting a family and it would have to be my daily transportation. I just couldn't see putting that much wear and tear on it so I passed on the offer. Good luck with it, it certainly appears to have found a good home and is great to see it in some fine company. Take good care of one of my all-time favorite customs.
Sincerely, Brian Frederick
Thought I'd send some correct info on the White Pearl...It was originally owned and built by a gentleman by the name of John North, who lived just up the street from me in Rockville, Connecticut. I believe you are the the sixth owner. I remember John purchasing it brand new, then proceeding to have it dechromed little by little. It continued to go through changes until it ended up as it now appears. It was always his daily driver, regardless of the weather. I rode in it a few times to outdoor car shows, and I remember that it had a great sounding set of glaspak mufflers. Gene Pitney, who happened to be a good friend and neighbor of mine, was the third owner. He didn't really get to drive it much, as his career was just getting into high gear and he was touring a lot at the time. I remember that it didn't fit all the way into his dad's garage, so he couldn't close the garage doors completely and would tie the handles together to keep them closed. One Saturday night he drove it to a rather rowdy local amusement park where he was performing, and came out after the show to find the windshield broken, and of all things,a bullet hole in the door ! Right then and there he decided to sell it. Gene never did put it any shows, as he's always been a fairly humble person.
I do see John North occasionally, and plan to give him a copy of the latest issue of Car Culture DeLuxe. I'm sure he'll cringe at the sight of the aftermarket hubcaps, blue dots, and tachometer... which were added later. He always had gold wheels with chrome lug nuts, and a tall shifter handle as shown in the Jan.1960 issue of Car Craft magazine. It was also in The Jan. 1960 issue of Hot Rod shown before the rolled pan was done, also in the Nov. 1959 Rod Builder magazine, and on the cover of the August 1960 Hot Rod not to mention the dozens of individual photos of different parts of the car in the "how to" sections of Car Craft, etc.
I believe the white paint color is from a late 50's Lincoln. It looks like the front bumpers got twisted up towards the centers, and the shorty lakes plugs are missing from the front wheel wells. John never did put any solenoids in the doors, thus the non locking vent windows...and the last owner had the rear seat rolled and pleated to match the front. Until then, the stock blue seat was under a white rolled and pleated tonneau cover. I had a chance to buy it back around 1970, but we were just starting a family and it would have to be my daily transportation. I just couldn't see putting that much wear and tear on it so I passed on the offer. Good luck with it, it certainly appears to have found a good home and is great to see it in some fine company. Take good care of one of my all-time favorite customs.
Sincerely, Brian Frederick