Nosed and Decked

After serving in the Marine Corps during WWII, Lawrence Garrison moved to Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1947, bringing his passion for custom cars to the East Coast before hot rod and custom car magazines spread the movement. Based on a self-penned design, Larry transformed this 1940 Mercury into a sleek, low-slung masterpiece. He channeled the body, sectioned the hood, and chopped the windshield to achieve a streamlined European-inspired look. Full fadeaway fenders, nosed and decked bodywork, and push-button doors added to its elegance, while 1947 Buick bumpers and spun hubcaps gave it a distinctive flair. Larry built the car entirely himself, fabricating parts, stitching the Spanish leather interior, and even installing hydraulic window lifts. His Mercury wasn’t just a showstopper. It was a symbol of how custom culture was spreading across America. Luckily, the car has survived, and today it is currently located in Norway. Photo courtesy of Paul Garrison.

Don Provance's 1957 Ford Fairlane of Oak Lawn, Illinois. Don started restyling the car as soon as he brought it home from the dealer. It 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.

Dennis Murphy's 1939 Ford Convertible Sedan of Wyckoff, New Jersey. Murphy purchased the car in Ohio in 1960. He was 15 years old at the time, looking for his first car, and was excited when he saw a hot rod for sale by the side of the road. A deal was made, and his dad drove it the 400+ miles back to their home in New Jersey.

Don Provance's 1957 Ford Fairlane of Oak Lawn, Illinois. The second iteration of the car, known as "Gold Digger," was completed circa 1962-1963. This version was upgraded with dual headlights integrated with scoops containing forward-pointing sunken antennas. It did also roll on chromed and reversed wheels.

Nosed and Decked Customs

Dennis Murphy's 1939 Ford Convertible Sedan
Lawrence Garrison's 1940 Mercury Convertible
George Jezek's 1949 Chevrolet 2-Door Sedan - The Candy Cart
Don Provance's 1957 Ford Fairlane Victoria - Gold Digger