1940 Continental “Custom”

** Custom with a “C” and not a “K” **

One of those “what if” concepts… perhaps early postwar Los Angeles. An enthusiast purchases a 1940 Continental and brings it to Valley Custom to have Neil Emory and Clayton Jensen do some of their metal shaping wizardry given it is almost 10 years old and a bit outdated and definitely not “custom” enough for the cruising scene. Thus the work is done: raise the fenders by 3in; 3in section through the lower body beneath the door opening; shaved handles/trim; entirely new rear deck and delete the “trunk bustle”; tucked bumpers; modified and shorter folding top and wide whites with clean hubcaps to accentuate the smooth lines. Definitely not one of those “K” style of kustoms that soon was upon the scene that required gaudiness to make an actual statement or to earn show points…

Remember that “custom” doesn’t always need to equate to having to hide from its origins. It would be inexecusable to take this Edsel Ford / Bob Gregorie design and not keep it instantly recognized as its true heritage as a Continental.