Lyle R. Johnson's 1950 Ford

A Roosevelt News article announcing the 1956 Roosevelt Hot Rod Show. Lyle R. Johnson's 1950 Ford custom is one of the three cars showcased in the article. Photo from The Lyle R. Johnson Collection.

A newspaper article that announced the entrants and the winners from the 1956 Roosevelt Hot Rod Show. Photo from The Lyle R. Johnson Collection.

A newspaper clipping from January of 1957 that shows Lyle with his baby blue 1950 Ford custom. Photo from The Lyle R. Johnson Collection.

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1950 Ford owned by Emperors of Seattle car club member Lyle R. Johnson of Seattle, Washington. Painted baby blue, the car was one of the winners at the 1956 Roosevelt Hot Rod Show. According to a newspaper clipping from the show, Lyle had built the car himself, investing about $1500 into it. Modifications at the time included a molded rear gravel pan, sunken and frenched taillights, peaked rear fenders, 1956 Oldsmobile hubcaps, flared fender skirts, and a custom made rear end grill. The doors were also shaved and operated with electric solenoids. Lyle also installed an electric solenoid door latch. Lyle told Dave Spengler from the newspaper that future plans included adding a grill up front that matched the rear grille. He also wanted to complete the custom upholstery and install a big overhead V-8, "possibly from a '55 Chrysler Windsor."