Pete Angress' 1952 Ford

A trunk shot of Santo Vasques' 1950 Chevrolet Convertible taken at the 1957 Long Beach Renegades Car Club Renecade. The 1956 Packard taillights look right at home on Santo’s Chevrolet. When the Renegades won the 1958 Car Craft Car Club of the Year Award Santo had become President of the club. Duane Steck's Moonglow, Pete Angress' 1952 Ford, and Jud Morgan's 1956 Ford F-100 can be seen behind Vasques' Chevrolet in the photo. Photo from the George Contaoi Photo Collection.

Photo by Colin Creitz

1952 Ford originally owned by Long Beach Renegades member Bill Moore of San Jose, California. Bill sold the Ford to fellow Long Beach Renegades member Pete Angress of Lakewood, California. When Pete bought the car, it was painted purple and white. Most of the body modifications on the car were done after Pete bought it.

First Version

The first version of the car featured a two-tone white and purple paint job with traditional Pinstriping on the hood and trunk. The car was modified with a 1953 Chevrolet grille shell. Inside the grille opening, a floating bar made out of sheet metal was used. The floating bar featured 1951 Ford spinners on each side. Headlight rims from a 1955 Chevrolet were also used on the car.

The rear fenders were extended some 3 1/2 inches, and 1955 Lincoln taillights were added. The car was also fit with Mercury fender skirts and dual exhaust. The gravel pan was molded to the rest of the body. All the body work on Pete's car was done by Ed Schelhaas of Schelhaas Custom Shop.

In order to give the car its low stance, the front spindle support arms were modified and in the rear the frame was C'd and the drive shaft tunnel reworked.

A full Roll and Pleat interior and custom carpeting from Pacific Custom in Bellflower graced the inside of the car and the trunk compartment.

This is how the car was featured in the Car Craft March 1957 issue. This version can also be seen in the Coachman Show Movie featured below.

Second Version

The second version featured a distinctive orchid paint job with silver scallops. The scallops were outlined with a white pinstripe. The scallops and pinstriping were done by Larry Watson of Watson's House of Style. By now Pete had also added 8 teeth above the grille bar. The car had also been "lowered" more by adding chromed side pipes.

Third Version

The third version of Pete Angress 1952 Ford featured a brand new paint job. New base color, and a new panel/scallop paint job, also by Larry Watson of Watson's House of Style. The fender skirts were also removed on this version.

Magazine Features

Car Craft May 1955
Car Craft August 1955
Car Craft March 1957
Trend Book 143 Restyle Your Car
Trend Book 133 Custom Cars 1957 Annual
Custom Rodder April 1958
Car Craft February 1959

Live Footage

The Pete Angress' Ford can be spotted in the Coachman Show 1955 - 1957 video posted on the Jalopy Journal. The car is featured 4 minutes out in the Part 1 movie.
Link to the Coachman Show Movie on the Jalopy Journal

Sources

Car Craft March 1957
Kustomland: The Custom Car Photography of James Potter, 1955-1959