Bob Metz' La Rocket

The La Rocket was featured in Rod & Custom September 1954.

Bonnie Dorner, the wife of Charles Dorner, with the La Rocket.

The La Rocket was used on the label for the Liquid Glass Auto Polish. Doc Dorner, the inventor of Liquid Glass promised a 1.000,00 USD reward to the one that could name all 33 cars the car had parts from. The picture used on the label was taken by Alan Newcomer in Bailey Park, Battle Creek, Micigan in 1963. In 2016 Alan told Kustomrama that it was a replacement for the original art work which included the Doctors ex-wife, which he was requested or enjoyed to remove.

Keeping Midwest History Alive - Click here to check out our official Kustomrama Midwest Division Supporter Merc.

The La Rocket was kustom car build by Bob Metz of Indiana. The car was built to resemble the 1951 GM LeSabre Concept Car. Bob started the build with a 1939 LaSalle chassis and a 1951 Oldsmobile Rocket engine. The front fenders and hood were 1941 Oldsmobile, and the rear fenders were 1949 Buick. Other panels were hand formed by Metz. The windshield was Plexiglas, with a hand-formed tube frame. In the rear, Metz used the 1939 LaSalle hood to form the jet tail. The bumpers were Cadillac, the side trim 1953 Buick. and the small scoop in the side swings in as a passenger footstep. The car was painted in Plymouth San pedro Blue with red and ivory upholstery.

The La Rocket was used on the label for the Liquid Glass Auto Polish. The picture used on the label was taken by Alan Newcomer in Bailey Park, Battle Creek, Micigan in 1963. In 2016 Alan told Kustomrama that it was a replacement for the original art work which included the Doctors ex-wife, which he was requested or enjoyed to remove. When the photo was taken, the car had been painted Metallic Gold. The model was Violet Snyder. Doc Dorner, the inventor of Liquid Glass promised a 1.000,00 USD reward to the one that could name all 33 cars the car had parts from. The car was last seen in the early 1980s, in the basement garage of Doc Dorner's home in Halbert Rd, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dorner was the inventor of Liquid Class Auto Polish. Although the car had been sitting for many years, it was supposedly quite impressive. Since then, Doc has passed away, and the house has been sold a couple of times

Magazine Features

Rod & Custom September 1954
Rod & Custom August 1990