Dee Kruzan's '51 C8 Cp

ArkieJazz

I thought many of you might enjoy seeing Dee Kruzan's recently "refurbished" low mileage '51 C8 Cp. The car is a 30,000 mile original with 3spd and overdrive. And for those of you asking about 51 interiors, take a close look. Dee's coupe still has it's totally original interior appointments. Chris Davis of Charleston, Illinois recently completed the paint and detail work on the car. The Toro Red paint is the original color. The bumpers have been replated, but most of the other trim is either original or NOS. Under the hood, the engine bay was returned to factory condition and a new radiator, clutch, and water pump installed. This is a very simplified synopsis of the work which was done to the car, but I think the photos will speak for themselves.

rambos_ride

Nice - Looks like a Mueseum kept car!

essexcoupe3131

She's a real beauty

sure its been on the road LOL

Mike

[Deleted User]

What a great looking and rare car! If anyone wants to know where to get the factory striped seat material, You can get the EXACT pattern from SMS in Oregon.

Walt-LA

SMS should have it soon with the Brown '51 colors. I ordered mine in mid-March 2008. I've spoken with Doug a number of times. Believe now its down to getting the middle line/stripe between the two darker ones the correct texture and color value. What's available is close, but not quite right based on a good original sample. Walt-LA

[Deleted User]

Thats a real beauty. I love the 51's .....

Clutchguy

Wow, what a gorgeous car!! They should be very proud of it. Hopefully we will see this car in Pontiac.

[Deleted User]

Walt-LA wrote:

SMS should have it soon with the Brown '51 colors. I ordered mine in mid-March 2008. I've spoken with Doug a number of times. Believe now its down to getting the middle line/stripe between the two darker ones the correct texture and color value. What's available is close, but not quite right based on a good original sample. Walt-LA

Is the 51 stripe pattern different than the 52? I sent him a swatch of the original 52 material and got back the exact match.

[Deleted User]

Is SMS going to be offering the correct version of this material in Blue stripes?

[Deleted User]

Man, what a beautiful car. Can I trade straight across for my 401k?:o

RL Chilton

That's a real beauty. Good color choice. Hope to see this one in person in Pontiac.:)

Walt-LA

nhp1127 wrote:

Is the 51 stripe pattern different than the 52? I sent him a swatch of the original 52 material and got back the exact match.

Neils, Yes, it is different for the '51's. A bit more subdued. The brown SMS patterns for '51 and '52, are both very good. But seem to have run out of the pattern for '51, and having some trouble getting kinks worked out of the new run. They are working on it though. Walt-LA

[Deleted User]

RL Chilton wrote:

That's a real beauty. Good color choice. Hope to see this one in person in Pontiac.:)

I'm glad you all like the way the '51 turned out. Chris really did a great job on it. I have a '50 Commodore 8 sedan that he and his dad, Gene, did about 20 or so years ago, and it still looks great. The plan now is that my brother and I will drive the car to Pontiac. The "if" at this point is my wife's health. She has been very ill for quite some time and requires around-the-clock care. Arrangements for her care will have to be made, and that can be tough, as I have found out. Anyhow, we pray for the best in all of this. Margaret and I attended many Nationals together in the 1960's and 1970's, always driving our 1950 Commodore 6 sedan we had then. Those were great trips and great times when we arrived at the meets. Unfortunately, we just won't be together at this one. Dee

ArkieJazz

Just checking to see if the pictures were showing up. Someone had said they couldn't see them

[Deleted User]

Steve:

Havent seen any yet, still looking. Thanks, Bob

ArkieJazz

that's really odd...I see them just fine here

Unknown

Depends on what your computer setting are as to whether or not you will see the pictures. The host for the pictures is photobucket. I know that many business IT and all USG IT managers block Photobucket and all other Video, audio and photo sites, if JAVA is blocked most of these sites will not work either. You have to check your Browser authorizations.

I suspect your comptuer is blocking the site where the pictures are hosted.

[Deleted User]

this car brings to mind an issue that I have been dealing with. This is what I would consider a # 1 level car. Same with Arkkiejazz's 54 Coupe. I suppose by the strictest definition a #1 would be concourse level and that is almost an "unobtainium" level. I have found that many people over state the condition of their cars and have seen atleast three Coupes advertised / described as # 1 cars and they were only # 3's at best. I know this is not uncommon and happens alot with all makes. Still, seems silly (or even illegal) to misrepresent a car and waste everyones time.

Walt-LA

Dee's coupe seems to be pretty much what NADA describes as a "high retail" value car. They give three definitions, which more or less fit into the 1-5 rating scheme. Not perfect, but something to chew-on. To get to info click on



http://www.nadaguides.com





then Classic Cars (top bar left), collectible cars, make and year and model, etc. Their figures do change. They add 15%$ for Hydramatic... . Walt-LA



From NADA



Low Retail Value



This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim, and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable "as-is".



Some of the vehicles in this publication could be considered "Daily Drivers" and are not valued as a classic vehicle. When determining a value for a daily driver, it is recommended that the subscriber use the low retail value.



Note: This value does not represent a "parts car".





Average Retail Value



This vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A "20-footer".



High Retail Value



This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition. Note: This value does not represent a "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle *.





* A "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle is not driven. It would generally be in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concourse judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-regulated facility.

rambos_ride

nhp1127 wrote:

this car brings to mind an issue that I have been dealing with. This is what I would consider a # 1 level car. Same with Arkkiejazz's 54 Coupe. I suppose by the strictest definition a #1 would be concourse level and that is almost an "unobtainium" level. I have found that many people over state the condition of their cars and have seen atleast three Coupes advertised / described as # 1 cars and they were only # 3's at best. I know this is not uncommon and happens alot with all makes. Still, seems silly (or even illegal) to misrepresent a car and waste everyones time.

The ratings are very arbitrary, it seems.

I'd go 1-6 rating system ~ with a number #1 being a near complete lo-mile original, or Concourse level restoration down to the #6 which is the type of car I can afford to buy ie. parts cars and scrappers!

That would mean Very, Very few #1's out there - a nominal amount of #2's and the rest spread out between 3-6.

ArkieJazz

Well, today was the BIG day. Dee Kruzan took delivery of his newly refurbished (not restored) '51 C8 Cp. He may have been cold, but he surely does appear proud....as well he might!! What a fabulous looking car....and Dee looks ok too! ...LOL!

[Deleted User]

Just fantastic! What a gorgeous coupe. Make sure you take it out so others can enjoy such a wonderful original example of a great car.



Todd