| Welcome to an incredible world of chopped tops, pastel pearl
paints, and slammed suspensions, this is the collection of
Richard Zocchi. Richard is very well known internationally for
his impressive award winning customs. The customs, all designed
by Richard, blend long flowing bodies, chopped tops, and an
incredible attention to detail to create some of the best customs
in the world. All customs typically start off with an excellent
low mileage original car (sorry purists).These cars are typically
shown for one season and then retired. They are typically only
shown at a few select California shows, never out of the state.
With a new custom being built annually, space for all of these
classics is running out, even for Richard. Being offered here is
one of those classics. Some of these cars have been sitting for
many years and may require some minor mechanical massaging to get
them street ready and some are ready to go now. Please call with
any questions. |
| TOP: The top has been chopped 3.5 inches. The rain gutters have
been filled and extended. The windshield and and all
glass work was done by Dan Mazzoncini and Barry Grafe of Dan's Glass, Concord,
California. |
| BODY: The grill was hand-made with 3/8 inch steel rod by
Gregg Westbury. The grill cavity is a combination of 1951 Merc upper lip bar on
top. The sides and the bottom are formed out of tubing to create that "just right look".
The whole front bumper was lowered an inch all the way around, including the
headlights. The bumper was shaved of all bumper bolts.
All chrome plating and stainless was done by Sherm's Plating of Sacramento. Headlights are the Richard Zocchi signature 1956 Olds, which were a little tougher this time because they had to lower and seal beam them about two inches. John Aiello made it all happen he built the car at his shop, Acme Auto body, in Antioch, California. The scoop on the rear quarter panel was a factory item and was accentuated with 1953 Merc chrome teeth. Rear wheel wells were lowered 3 inches to give them the right stance. Tail light lenses were stock items which were lowered and finished off by quarter inch round rod. Back-up lights were eliminated. The Continental kit on the trunk, if anybody knows what it looks like on a stock car, sticks out like a sore thumb. However, not wanting to eliminate it because it is an identification of the Continental, Zocchi decided to chop, section and lean it forward. |
PAINT: After John Aiello spent numerous days on blocking and priming and got it to as good as it could get, he turned it over to the capable hands of the shop's co-owner and painter, Darryl Hollenbeck. Rich and Darryl toyed with colors for weeks before coming up with the final selection: creamy white with creamy yellow-gold. Scallops were added the darker color was brought to the top and the lighter color was brought to the bottom to offset and balance out the paint scheme. Then, the entire car was shot with gold pearl. Darryl then proceeded to sand and buff the car to a beautiful high luster. Art Himsl then pinstriped it. |
SUSPENSION: The suspension in the front is a combination of 1956 Ford spindles altered to fit the altered 1977 Granada disc brakes. The rear end was lowered by reworking leaf springs, and lowering blocks. The frame was C'd and electric air shocks were used. This car is one of the best driving cars Zocchi has ever had. |
INTERIOR: To create the interior, compatible with the luxurious exterior of this car, Zocchi commissioned Craig Willits to give it a simple but lavish look. Willits accomplished this mission very well! The stock power seats were used. Craig built a semi-console in front to hold a Pioneer stereo which Craig also installed. The headliner was hand made and factory air ducts in those cars ran through the headliner. Craig altered everything to work, with the addition of new air ducts. Bob Madsen was responsible for re-conditioning the factory air which did not work when the car was purchased. |
| ENGINE: The engine compartment is stock. It was cleaned, painted
and detailed by Evan Kohler. Motor work was performed by Larry Kissinger. |
| WHEELS/TIRES: The tires are the new Coker 205R7515 radials.
Wheels are Roadster wheels with T-bird centers capped off with bullets. |
| AWARDS: The car was extremely well received by the crowds at
the Oakland Roadster Show and upon arriving at the 1997 Sacramento Autorama, it
was chosen for the prestigious Harold A. Bagdasarian award for WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM!
|
| OVERALL CONDITION: Show ready. |
| SUMMARY: This is a gorgeous custom rod that draws an incredible amount of attention everywhere it goes. Incredible car for the discriminating collector. It would definitely cost more than the asking price to build this car. True miles unknown. If you have any questions please call me at 925-899-2648. Please remember I am on Pacific Standard Time. Vehicle shown to serious buyers by appointment only. |
Asking $99,500