Truly Rare Buick custom to be auctioned in USA

A contemporary of Barris, Starbird and Winfield in the 1960s, Gene Howard is less well known in the customising field, but no less talented, if "Truly Rare" is any indication.

Howard, who owned a body repair shop in Bloomington, Illinois, created two distinct versions of the Buick over a six-year period. Starting with a stock, but tired 1950 Buick Special Deluxe 'Jetback' fastback coupe, Howard initally created a mild custom with modified head & tail lights, Lakes pipes, a side-opening bonnet and Chrysler V8 engine.

Sometime after 1962, Howard really went to town on the body, creating wildly sculptured sections front and rear, canted headlight pods and a projecting, fish mouth-style grille opening. By this stage, Truly Rare was also using panels from a '51 Oldsmobile and '59 Cadillac, with other components from Plymouth, Chevand Chrysler. The body was channelled 6 inches and the chassis used a combination of '50 Buick and '51 Oldsmobile components. The bonnet was left off for the second build to show off the highly-polished Fire Power V8. In addition to the wild bodywork -all in steel -Howard added a non-functional scoop on the driver's side roof. The exterior was finished in lavender pearl paint.

The front end featured headlights from a 1961 Lincoln behind teardrop-shaped frosted plastic covers. At the back, dual tail light assemblies from a 1960 Plymouth were used, but placed in unique housings reminiscent of those found on a '59 Dodge.

Truly Rare's engine, for both builds, wasa 1951 FirePower 364ci V8. Chrysler's first bent eight and a forerunner of the better-known Hemi, Howard took the stock engine and added a 3/4 cam, six carbs and heaps of chrome, assisted by engine builder Don Wallace.

Inside, the second build of Truly Rare was just as wild as the exterior, re trimmed in white naugahyde button upholstery throughout - even on the dash - with custom made, swivelling bucket front seats and white carpet.Steering components were lifted from a 1949 Chevrolet & Cadillac. Instruments were out of a '55 Buick and spread across the full width of the dash. Interestingly, the car used a conventional steering wheel in its first build, but the second, much wilder version of Truly Rare was steered by a tiller arm mounted on the transmission tunnel!

In its two distinct 'lives', Truly Rare won over 60 trophies, including multiple'Best In Show' awards. In its wilder custom form, it also featured in the Fall 1965 issue of 'Popular Customs' magazine in the US. After that, the car disappeared off the radar, reappearing for sale online in 2007,repainted red, but retaining most of its original interior, except for the tiller steering, which had been replaced with a regular wheel.It was acquired by an enthusiast vendor who planned to restore it to its original configuration.

Trruly Rare's looks are a bit "love it or hate it", but it is a rare and intriguing example of the handiwork of one of the lesser known builders from the golden era of custom cars.

The Auctions America by RM Auburn Fall auction is scheduled for September 1 - 4, in Auburn, Indiana. Watch this space for more lots from this auction.

Image and information courtesy of Auctions America by RM.