Calvin Wilks' 1960 Ford

Calvin restyled the car after it had been involved in an accident. This photo shows the car as it appeared when he started restyling it. Photo courtesy of James Linfield.

Photo courtesy of James Linfield.

Photo courtesy of James Linfield.

A construction photo of the Ford. Photo courtesy of James Linfield.

Photo courtesy of James Linfield.

The Candy Cane was featured in Custom Rodder May 1962. Calvin's last name was misspelled "Wilkes" in the story.

Calvin's Ford as it appeared when it was featured in Custom Rodder May 1962. Photo by Robert Hegge.

The front and rear pans on Calvin's Ford were rolled, and a custom grid-type grille was installed up front. The headlight were mounted inside the hood compartment behind the grille. The front was further restyled by installing 3 chromed bars in the grille opening and a peaked and louvered Thunderbird hood scoop. Photo by Robert Hegge.

Four special tail lights were made from chrome rings and chromed door handles. The complete taillight assembly was also recessed into the rear of the car. Photo by Robert Hegge.

Photo by Robert Hegge.

The star-and-ring ornamentation from the roof-pillars were mounted under the fin of the rear fender. Photo by Robert Hegge.

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Calvin had a lot of trouble mounting the hood as the hood warped a lot due to the welding heat. Photo by Robert Hegge.

Twin radio aerials were recessed into the rear deck just behind the window post. Photo by Robert Hegge.

Photo by Robert Hegge.

Photo by Robert Hegge.

1960 Ford owned by Calvin Wilks of Romulus, Michigan. Calvin's Ford was known as the "Candy Cane", and it took one year of hard work and $10,000 USD to complete the build. Calvin's last name was often misspelled "Wilkes" in magazine articles back in the day.

The front and rear pans on Calvin's Ford were rolled, and a custom grid-type grille was installed up front. The headlight were mounted inside the hood compartment behind the grille. The front was further restyled by installing 3 chromed bars in the grille opening and a peaked and louvered Thunderbird hood scoop. Calvin had a lot of trouble mounting the hood as the hood warped a lot due to the welding heat. Hood, deck-lid and doors were shaved for handles and ornamentation, and twin radio aerials were recessed into the rear deck just behind the window post. A peak line was sculptured across the shaved deck. The line blended with the fins, creating a pleasing overall effect. The star-and-ring ornamentation from the roof-pillars were mounted under the fin of the rear fender as well. Four special tail lights were made from chrome rings and chromed door handles. The complete taillight assembly was also recessed into the rear of the car. A set of four scavenger exhaust-pipes emerged from under the rear rolled pan. The car was dressed up featuring a set of dummy spotlights and a set of handmade Jimmy Jones "Inkster Skirts". Jones did also design the exhaust pipes. A set of reversed chrome wheels fit with wide-whitewall-tires wrapped up the style. Power came from a 360 hp 1960 Ford mill.

Magazine Features

Custom Rodder May 1962