The New York Mystery Sport Custom

A photo of the old Sport Custom taken in Italy in 2018. The New York Mystery Sport Custom is a bespoke automobile that stands as a testament to the innovative spirit and ingenuity of mid-20th-century American car culture. Originating from the United States and now located in Northern Germany, close to the Danish border, this vehicle's journey across continents is as fascinating as its construction. Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

The body was composed of parts from various makes and models, and the rear fenders and taillights on the car is from a 1938 Dodge. Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

The dash was dressed up with a 1935/1936 Ford speedometer and a water temperature gauge from a 1936 Chevrolet. Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

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Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

The front "grill" was made from a 1929 Pontiac rear window. Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

Photo courtesy of Matt Wardle.

A photo of the car taken early in 2024. The old custom found its way to Germany from Italy about a year or two before 2024. Marvin Jensen, who lives in Northern Germany, bought it late in 2023. Despite its age and the transitions between owners and countries, the car had seen minimal changes, preserving much of its original charm and mystery. Jensen made a notable alteration by replacing the original Ford wire wheels with 15" 1946 Mercury steel wheels, as the previous owner wanted to keep the original wheels and Edelbrock heads. Photo courtesy of Marvin Jensen.

The front fenders on the car are 1940 Plymouth units. Photo courtesy of Marvin Jensen.

Photo courtesy of Marvin Jensen.

Photo courtesy of Marvin Jensen.

Photo courtesy of Marvin Jensen.

Photo courtesy of Marvin Jensen.

Lost and Found - Sport Customs

The New York Mystery Sport Custom is a bespoke automobile that stands as a testament to the innovative spirit and ingenuity of mid-20th-century American car culture. Originating from the United States and now located in Northern Germany, close to the Danish border, this vehicle's journey across continents is as fascinating as its construction.

Historical Background

Discovered in New York during the late 1980s or early 1990s, the sport custom was purchased by an Italian buyer through an advertisement on Hemmings. The vehicle was sold by a physician residing in the Syracuse, New York area, who provided little information about its origins or construction. The Italian buyer still owned it in 2019. Back then, he told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that the car had no identification plates, but it was powered by a Ford V-8 Flathead engine. It came with spare Edelbrock heads that looked like they never have been fitted to the car. The wheels were Ford wire wheels, and the low-slung body was made from various 1930s and 1940s parts.

As the narrative unfolded, the vehicle found its way to Germany from Italy about a year or two before 2024. Marvin Jensen, who lives in the little village Tinningstedt in Northern Germany, bought the old custom late in 2023. Despite its age and the transitions between owners and countries, the car had seen minimal changes, preserving much of its original charm and mystery. Jensen made a notable alteration by replacing the original Ford wire wheels with 15" 1946 Mercury steel wheels, as the previous owner wanted to keep the original wheels and Edelbrock heads. When he got it, the backpiece of the leather bench was also missing.

Design and Features

The essence of the New York Mystery Sport Custom is defined by its eclectic mix of components, demonstrating the resourcefulness and creativity of its creator(s). Jensen's detective work revealed the car's skeleton: A chassis, axles, transmission, and steering from a 1935 Ford. Juice brakes front and back and Flathead V8 from a '46-1948 Ford. The body was composed of parts from various makes and models, including a front "grill" repurposed from a 1929 Pontiac rear window, front fenders from a 1940 Plymouth, and rear fenders and taillights from a 1938 Dodge. The dash was dressed up with a 1935/1936 Ford speedometer and a water temperature gauge from a 1936 Chevrolet.

Preservation Efforts and Future Aspirations

Marvin's dedication to the New York Mystery Sport Custom goes beyond mere preservation. He dreams of not only bringing this relic back to the road but also uncovering the tales it has to tell. Every component of the car, from its "juice brakes" to the 1936 Chevrolet water temp gauge, is a piece of a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Help us Unveil the Past of the New York Mystery Sport Custom

The journey of the New York Mystery Sport Custom, from its origins in the United States to its current home in Germany, is shrouded in mystery. Despite the car's rich history and unique assembly, much of its past remains unknown. Marvin is on a mission to uncover the origins and stories of this unique car, and we are calling on the automotive community to help piece its history together. If you have any information, photos, or stories related to the New York Mystery Sport Custom, please reach out. Your insights could be crucial in tracing its lineage and preserving its legacy.

Contact Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com with any clues or memories you may have. Together, we can solve the mystery of this automotive enigma!