Don Provance's 1957 Ford Fairlane Victoria - Gold Digger

Don started customizing the Ford as soon as he brought it home from the dealer. The car underwent numerous modifications, primarily at Liddle's Auto Body in Alsip, Illinois, under the expertise of George Liddle and Jack Detmars. This photo shows a captivating purple paint job. It had been nosed and decked, and distinct modifications included the integration of 1956 Ford F-100 headlight doors and a 1954 Chevrolet grille. Accessory additions encompassed dual spotlights, 1957 Plymouth hubcaps, and fender skirts. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

A rear end shot of the purple version, showing the 1958 Edsel Bermuda station wagon's boomerang taillights that Don installed. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

A photo of the car taken at an indoor car show in South Bend, Indiana in March of 1962. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

The "Gold Digger" version of the Ford photographed at an outdoor car show in Morton Grove, Illinois in June of 1963. This version was upgraded with dual headlights integrated with scoops containing forward-pointing sunken antennas. It did also roll on chromed and reversed wheels. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

The rear quarter panels on the "Gold Digger" version were modified to accommodate scoops and a dual taillight setup on either side. By now the stock bumper had also been scrapped in favor of a sleeker bumper. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

A photo of the Gold Digger version taken at a hot rod and custom car show held July 21, 1963 in Blue Island, Illinois. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

In 1963, a photo of the Gold Digger graced the pages of Custom Car Yearbook No.1, where it was showcased, clinching first place in the Semi-Hardtop class at an indoor car show. The vehicle's lowered stance by 3 inches and the powerful full-race Thunderbird engine were notable mentions in the caption.

Another iteration of the Gold Digger, featuring a 1957 DeSoto bumper and grille. This photo was taken in Wheaton, Illinois in December of 1963. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photos of the car taken at an indoor hot rod and custom car show in Weaton, Illinois in 1967. The show was held January 8 thru 10. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

A red version of the car. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

In 1983 the car was stripped and sandblasted. After the car had been sandblasted, it stayed in a container until 2007, when Ed Dymitrowicz from Elgin, Illinois stumbled upon it. Reminiscing about his first encounter with the car in 1966, Ed mentioned, "The last owner had intended to restore it, but had many other old customs, and it got neglected." Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

After discovering the old custom, Ed was able to talk the owner into selling it to him. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Upon acquiring the car, Ed contacted Don, who generously provided old photos to guide the restoration. The car is currently being restored to its 1963-1967 glory. Assistance from Dick "Fuzzy" Fuerholzer connected Ed with Jerry Eich, offering several invaluable old photos not previously in Ed's collection. As of 2020, Ed continued to work on the restoration amidst his other projects, admitting to the slow but passionate progress. Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Photo courtesy of Ed Dymitrowicz.

Don Provance's 1957 Ford Fairlane Victoria is a notable custom car that has undergone several transformations since its original purchase. Hailing from Oak Lawn, Illinois, Provance began customizing the vehicle as soon as he brought it home from the dealer. The car underwent numerous modifications, primarily at Liddle's Auto Body in Alsip, Illinois, under the expertise of George Liddle and Jack Detmars.

The Purple Version

One of the earliest known versions of the car showcases a captivating purple paint job. It had been nosed and decked, and distinct modifications included the integration of 1956 Ford F-100 headlight doors, a 1954 Chevrolet grille, and 1958 Edsel Bermuda station wagon's boomerang taillights. Accessory additions encompassed dual spotlights, 1957 Plymouth hubcaps, and fender skirts.

Gold Digger

Transitioning into its next phase, named "Gold Digger," the car gleamed with a golden sheen. Photos taken in Morton Grove, Illinois in June of 1963 shows the Fairlane upgraded with dual headlights integrated with scoops containing forward-pointing sunken antennas. The rear quarter panels were modified to accommodate scoops and a dual taillight setup on either side. In 1963, this iteration graced the pages of Custom Car Yearbook No.1, where it was showcased, clinching first place in the Semi-Hardtop class at an indoor car show. The vehicle's lowered stance by 3 inches and the powerful full-race Thunderbird engine were notable mentions in the caption.

DeSoto Grille and Red Paint

A photo of the car taken in Wheaton, Illinois in December of 1963 shows it featuring a 1957 DeSoto bumper and grille. By November of 1965, the rear of the car featured a bumperless design. The taillights were now gone, and the car's rear was dressed up with a grille. This version was painted red. 1969 marked the last year Don showcased the car.

Sold to a woman in Oak Brook, Illinois

In the late 1960s, Don parted ways with the vehicle, selling it to a lady in Oak Brook, Illinois. The woman intended to use the car as a daily driver. Recollecting the car's journey, later owner Ed Dymitrowicz remarked to Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2020, "It came back." Following this, the car transitioned through various owners and was eventually stripped and sandblasted in 1983.

Discovered by Ed Dymitrowicz

After the car had been sandblasted, it stayed in a container until 2007, when Ed Dymitrowicz from Elgin, Illinois stumbled upon it. Reminiscing about his first encounter with the car in 1966, Ed mentioned, "The last owner had intended to restore it, but had many other old customs, and it got neglected." Ed was 12 years old when he saw it at the World of Wheels show at the International Amphiteathre in Chicago.

The Restoration

Upon acquiring the car, Ed contacted Don, who generously provided old photos to guide the restoration. The car is currently being restored to its 1963-1967 glory. Assistance from Dick "Fuzzy" Fuerholzer connected Ed with Jerry Eich, offering several invaluable old photos not previously in Ed's collection. As of 2020, Ed continued to work on the restoration amidst his other projects, admitting to the slow but passionate progress.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Custom Car Yearbook No.1