Name That Custom Car! - Tom Holden's ulTOMus

[Otto Puzzell]

[ByrX]

Chevrolet impala?

[Otto Puzzell]

Impala based, yes. What is the name the customizer gave the car?

[Ultra]

Impala based, yes. What is the name the customizer gave the car?

Double Bubble.

[hugo90]

Alexander Brothers?  The license is for a truck, as four numbers then two letters in Michigan is truck.  In the sixties cars had two letters then four numbers.  Must be an El Camino base.  The house number of 29*** means that it is likely a far western suburb of Detroit.  I'm just rambling on as I don't know the name of this show car. 

[Ultra]

In Michigan a plate is not neccesary for the front, hence, this plate is an owner add-on with potentially no tie whatsoever to the registration or make of this vehicle.   Besides, you can register any antique auto in Michigan with any Michigan vintage plate that is year accurate to the vehicle's make.

Ramble on. 

[hugo90]

In the 1960's Michigan did have front plates.  In 1972 I had a '56 Chevy and I replaced the front plate with a 1956 plate for fun, and got pulled over within days.

[Ultra]

In the 1960's Michigan did have front plates.  In 1972 I had a '56 Chevy and I replaced the front plate with a 1956 plate for fun, and got pulled over within days.

I suppose the pic could be that old.  Good point!     

[Otto Puzzell]

This picture was taken in the mid-1960's, soon after its customization was complete.

[Otto Puzzell]

[Motorace]

Looks like something Darryl Starbird designed

[grobmotorix]

Finally I´ve found it...

"ULTIMUS" 1959 Chevy ElCamino, Gold Metalflake paint, gold and white Naugahyde interior, hand built bucket seats, TV set, tape recorder, twin bubble top and blown engine. OWNER: Tom Holden from Detroit Michigan.


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[Otto Puzzell]

Correct! Nice job.

[Otto Puzzell]

[Tifosi]

Somebody desperately needs to restore this car to it's former glory...it rivals anything that Ed Roth, Darryl Starbird or the Alexander brothers ever did.


Dan

[Brewskie]

Tom Holden was actually the customizer of this car, not just the "owner".

During the several times it was shown at Cobo Hall it was actually named "ulTOMus", with the capital TOM to emphasize his name: Tom Holden. And I think Tom still refers to this car as the ulTOMus.

Tom had sold the patents to this design to a man named George Barris. And, since y'all are probably knowledgeable in this I would wager you already know what became of this design. (it has something to do with Bruce Wayne)

The car also has a telephone, tape recorder and "juice" bar in the center console that is only attached at the rear and "floats" above the floorboard.

The steering wheel was designed by Tom this way because he was a pilot during the Korean conflict, I guess it reminded him of flying again. The seats were also designed by Tom because of his stint in the service....he wrenched his back somehow and these seats were designed to keep the seats from pushing certain pressure points on his back.

What I think is the most interesting about this car is the automation that Tom built into it; At a push of a button the bubble top would rise. Another button and the door would open and the seat would swivel out to make it easier to get in. With another button the cover for the rear would rise so you can get in to the "trunk".

The head and tail lights were designed by Tom and are very unique. They have a bright glow to them but are very functional.

The turn signals are in the "pods" along the running boards. And the radio antenna are in the quarter panels above the head lights.

The paint is unique to this car and was developed by Tom. The original was a sort of gold metal flake. Last I remember seeing this car it was painted black, I hope someone will get the original recipe for the paint and restore it to original, because it's very unique and beautiful. Tom is actually an expert in auto paint and almost all his show cars feature unique paint recipes that he alone holds the patents to (the paint on his center-door model T and "Coors Courier" is plain awesome!)

Another unique feature of this car is the exhaust. Each cylinder has it's own exhaust out the rear of the car. The sound of this car revving is something to remember!

Everything I've stated here is by memory. I'll be posting more info about it after I get my site up and running (and I've had time to talk with Tom about it)....If you want me to post more here let me know.

You can find my site in my signature.

Cheers!

EDIT:
BTW...Ed Roth received the ISCA Hall of Fame award the same day Tom Holden did. Tom, and I actually, knew Ed Roth very well. He was a heck of a nice guy.

[Ultra]

Thanks, Brewskie, for the info and welcome to AutoPuzzles!

[Brewskie]

Thanks for the welcome, Ultra!

I haven't had a chance to go through your site but I will get to it soon. 

Upon re-reading what I wrote there is one little change..

It wasn't his "Coors Courier" that had an exotic paint job done to it. Rather it was his "Hop'd Chop'd & Drop'd" pickup that was very unique (and I am still trying to find pics on the web of this truck). There are stars within the paint that would show only at certain angles using different formulas of pearlescent paints.

Again, thanks for the welcome 

[bubenator]

Another image added.

[Otto Puzzell]

Another look

[attachimg=1]

[Oguerrerob]

Rear View