Graham Oats' last kustom - one-off ROADSTER PROJECT on 1929 Ford Model A frame

1929 Other Makes Graham Oats custom Description

Up for bids is this hand-built one-off Carson-topped roadster project by the late Graham Oats.

Graham was a famous van customizer in the 1970s known for showstoppers like The Gladiator, Black Bandit, The Green Van and many others. Graham worked for the Barris brothers and Bill Hines, then went on to form Graham Enterprises. He also built custom fiberglass race boats under the name Oats' Boats. During his retirement Graham took welding and autobody classes for fun at El Camino College in Torrance, CA, where he designed and started to build this vehicle not knowing it would be his last. Unfortunately Graham suffered a fatal heart attack in 2012 and did not finish this crazy kustom.

The car started out based on a 1929 Ford Model A frame and a LOT of flat sheet steel. The early-1960's Big Daddy Roth inspiration is clearly evident. Graham fabricated the scoopy swoopy body with the intention of making a mold for a fiberglass body for the final version of the car. He also planned to put plastic slats in the scoops (a la Testarossa) with lights behind them to light up the plastic edges. The top was intended to be a fabric-covered Carson top with a small window in back. It flips open to allow the driver to get inside the car. There is not much leg room in there (Graham was not tall), there are no pedals, and the steering column is not currently connected. The boards that make up the existing 'seat' are marked for Graham's signature button tufted upholstery. Graham's fearless plan for the paint job involved painting the car root beer brown with true fire or yellow-to-burgundy metallic flames. The car was supposed to be named The Annie O, after his mother.

The engine is a 6-cylinder out of a Pontiac Fiero, and the transmission is out of a Chevy S-10 which bolts up to the engine perfectly. The sidepipes shown are out of a Ford Cobra, but they have since been stolen and are no longer included. The axles are of unknown origin and the suspension is custom-built by Graham. The rear wheels do not match but Graham liked the look of the larger one.The dual headlights were intended to pivot inside their housings when the front tires turned like the center headlight on a Tucker. There is a radiator present under the backwards flip-up 'hood'. Bitchin' bonus: Graham signed his name on the trunk lid with a grinder.

Also included with the car are a digital dash panel, assorted small parts, Graham's notebook including plans for the car's completion and paint scheme as well as other miscellaneous Graham Enterprises stationery and labels.

You couldn't hardly buy the engine and trans for the starting price, and this auction is NO RESERVE. Won't you throw us a bid?

This car has a great story and the completed car would be pure automotive media gold. Guaranteed magazine feature I bet. Graham was quite a character and the students adored him... and his stories. Like the time he caught his employees after hours using his automotive clearcoat to spraypaint the local strippers with metalflake. Or when he went overseas and was king for a day when he showed the local bodymen quick-connect fittings for their air tools. They had been direct-connecting them every time they had to switch tools!

Please note this car DOES NOT RUN and NO VIN OR TITLE exists (eBay's mandatory Title blank doesn't have a 'none' option so please disregard the 'rebuildable' designation there). The car is being sold AS IS as a kit car/design inspiration project. There is no warranty. I can help load the car on your trailer, and can store the car for a month or two while your transportation arrangements are being made. If you are overseas I can work with your shipper/shipping company/tow service. The car can be viewed/inspected by appointment. Please ASK QUESTIONS because this is NOT a beginner-level project car. I am happy to send more photos, measurements, perform basic tests or whatever you need.

Also note: This car was listed here on eBay about 2 years ago, but the winning bidder paid the deposit and never picked up the car.The car has always been stored indoors, but has acquired surface rust despite the conversion-coated steel and the engine has not been touched. The Cobra exhaust pipes have been stolen and are no longer included, as mentioned above.The autobody teachers toyed with the idea of cutting the car in half, finishing it, and mounting it on a wall as a display, but the plan was not approved by management. It's time to give it another go here with hopes someone will continue Graham's playful and wacky vision for this amazing, head-turning ride.

>>>All proceeds from this no-reserve sale will go toward starting a scholarship for students interested in vehicle customization and fabrication. Please toss us a bid and help keep Graham's memory alive and well at El Camino College!<<<

If you would like to donate to this scholarship fund without purchasing the project car, please go to www.elcamino.edu/foundation/donate.asp, enter the amount, choose a Program of 'Other' and type in the field below that you would like the funds to go to 'Auto Collision Dept.- Graham Oats'. Thank you very much!! (DO NOT pay for this vehicle through this donation site! This link is for financial gifts only.)