The History is a Mystery

Lost and ignored for decades, this custom recently resurfaced.

Unknown and wrongly labeled as a Buick concept car, it came into Family Classic Cars’ possession through a trade of several historical and vintage European vehicles for an assortment of other interesting, mostly American, cars and trucks. It was the last one in the trade to arrive in San Juan Capistrano, and even in the darkness the distinctive details and profile (while still resting on the flat-bed delivery truck) indicated that, though this was not anything from a GM design studio, nor connected to Harley Earl, it was something special. Unfortunately, the former owners did not offer any past history or even how they acquired it.

Our editor Zombie was contacted and asked for “archeological” assistance. When he posted a few rudimentary photos on the H.A.M.B., the message immediately board lit up and within 20 minutes the long-lost vehicle was correctly identified by Rik Hoving, a dedicated and noted source of information on customs. The fascinating sidebar in the process is that Rik resides in a small village in the Netherlands. The sole identification on an obscure American custom car came from Holland!

The Russ Losing Special is credited with taking top honors in the Handbuilt Class of the Tacoma Motorama in the early ’60s. The only early photos of it appear in the Car Craft show coverage in 1963, and again in Petersen’s Custom Car Yearbook No. 1 1963.

The base custom vehicle remains intact: The chassis is a ’40 Chevrolet, embellished with many chrome suspension components. The ’56 Buick Nailhead engine is equipped with fully styled fuel lines feeding three Stromberg carbs and an elaborate exhaust system of eight individual chromed pipes that run from the heads, under the chassis, and terminate in front of the rear axle. The engine compartment includes two sets of additional fuel system components, one with a regulator and a gauge, though these are not connected to provide fuel. An additional panel containing Stewart Warner gauges is affixed on the passenger side of the engine compartment. A tachometer is bolted to the passenger side valve cover, but is nonfunctional. There are fabricated, chromed, and highly reflective panels everywhere, including a stout half-circular “scatter shield.”

The body still has the distinctive sculpted quarter-panels, canted quad headlights, vented lakes pipe covers, and an opening with a deeply recessed grille. All remain as in the original photograph, as do the lower front running lights, which appear to be clear versions of the iconic ’59 Cadillac taillight lenses, with antennas running longitudinally through their centers.

While little remains of the original interior, the metalflake steering wheel, dashboard-mounted Stewart Warner gauges, and Eelco accelerator pedal are intact. Additionally, there are rather large, complex radio speaker boxes with a control panel mounted on each outboard side of the footwells. The suicide-opening doors appear as original on their interior side, complete with recessed, polished metal panels. The few remaining interior panels indicate that the color theme was red and white Naugahyde. The three-speed shifter is long and mounted very far forward and the floor panels and the driveshaft tunnel are polished metal.

Lifting the heavy trunk lid reveals more white and red Naugahyde trim, an Arvin box radio, a panel with clamps to display tools, and a small red bag on the rear passenger side labeled: “Flares.”

It must have been a priority to call special attention via illumination to many of the details of this vehicle at shows while tilted and on display. There is an elaborate system of lights mounted at various locations in the rear wheel wells, the engine compartment, and the interior portion of one door. These are wired to a house-current plug that drops down near the front of the chassis. Apparently it was plugged into 110V wall outlets at shows for added dazzle.

Sometime since 1962-63, the current tri-rod front bumper, the headrests (one signed by Roy Vogel on the inside,) and a half-roof top were added. While the exterior grille bars were deleted, a front bumper was added, fabricated in the same type of chromed, circular rod material. Some custom car fans have remarked that this bumper design may have been influenced by Joe Bailon. While the “pinner whitewalls” are long gone and replaced by wide whites, the two rear rims, upon inspection, appear to be the original chromed reverse wheels. The wheels are now obscured with hubcaps from a Chevy pickup, adorned with special center caps. The headlight peaks have been reworked, and side scoops have been added.

These additions also signify that the intent by Russ Losing, or possibly a new owner, was to return to the custom car circuit to compete with revisions that appeared to be fresh updates. Studying the steer horn-style design over the front grille opening, the dash top now covered in fur, and animal hide on the dash face, one could assume that there was some type of a steer or western theme in the new thought process.

The rest of the story remains untold. Any assistance in discovering information, further history, anecdotes, or photographs would be greatly appreciated. Your knowledge about this unique car can make a difference in “gaining on Losing.” Contact Lou Leto at 661-803-2206 or Lou@familyclassiccars.com.

Epilogue: The Russ Losing Special was invited by the organizers of the Grand National Roadster Show to appear on display as one of the 75 most significant customs in their special one-time exhibit: “Customs Then and Now, a Historical Gathering.” The balance of the Russ Losing Special history is still a mystery…

Read the rest of this article in ISSUE 25: Hot Rod Revolution