Last week I had another great shoot at the John O’Quinn estate. I was told that this time I would be photographing the “lesser” vehicles as their supply is dwindling. Upon receiving the shoot list, I was pretty shocked as to what vehicles are considered “bottom rung” in this collection!
They had recently relocated their warehouse, which came with a few new locations for shooting. I made the best of them and was able to produce some great lighting from my two speed lights using a similar light painting technique as those used in previous blog posts. Each body photo of every vehicle in this set is comprised of 4-8 different exposures which were blended in post to create a nice cohesive image. I did a screen recording while editing a shot of the 1956 Lincoln Premiere Convertible which shows a bit of my processing technique that I thought may be of interest to everyone. It scrunches about 30 minutes of editing time down into 3 minutes for your viewing pleasure. You can view the video below!
I was very happy with the outcome of these photos, and cannot wait to return to the O’Quinn estate for another shoot! On to the photos, enjoy!
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad – I loved everything about this car. As with every car in the collection, it was immaculate inside and out. The pearl blue paint just soaked up the light from the flash and reflected beautifully in these photos. It ran like a champ despite being cold started after months of resting and sounded just like you’d hoped it would; like a baritone outboard motor burbling and popping away.
1951 Studebaker Land Cruiser – This was a very elegant car and the first Studebaker that I’ve ever come into personal contact with. The front looked somewhat like a kitchen appliance, chock full of chrome and deep black paint. It featured a windshield visor, chrome accents and rear window louvers – all “trick” items for vehicles of its time. This car was doggedly reliable and started on the first turn and ran beautifully every time we needed it to. A highly underrated vehicle, it was one of my favorites of the set.
1954 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup – What a great old truck. Something about its toothy chrome grin is so endearing and trustworthy. The truck that the VERY unfortunately styled SSR was modeled after, it represents a timeless style that only gets better as it ages. I loved everything about this car, from its rich red paint to its lustrous wood-decked bed. Great truck.
1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine – Elvis’ First Limo! This car has a TON of history behind it. The first car purchased by Elvis once he exploded on the scene in the early 1950’s, This Cadillac speaks for itself.
Taken from a website I found on the topic:
This Cadillac was on display at the Elvis Presley Museum during the 1990s. Kruse International had it listed as lot No. 3329 for sale at Auburn Fall ’99 auction, September 1-7. This vehicle however was not actually at the auction. It was then permanently exhibited at an Elvis Museum in Las Vegas called Elvis-A-Rama.
RM Auctions sold this vehicle at Monterey on August 18 2007. Expecting to fetch $100,000 – $150,000 it realised $275,000! RM Auctions stated:
“Elvis Presley himself purchased chassis no. 557547481. The Cadillac was originally painted in a light blue, but Elvis quickly had it repainted a more appropriate black. Elvis used it to tour throughout the south with his original band members, Scotty Moore, Bill Black and D.J. Fontana. Reportedly, Elvis and his band would strap their instruments to the roof of the car and drive through the night to make it to the next town where they were going to perform.
There is absolutely no question as to the documentation of the sale of the Cadillac Fleetwood to the illustrious Elvis Presley. There are several photos of Elvis with the vehicle, one outside his home in the summer of 1956, as well as another outside the CBS Studios in Los Angeles moments before his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Also included are the original conditional sales contract and the original 1955 Cadillac Owner’s Manual stating, “Elvis Presley 1034 Audobon Ave. Memphis, Tenn.;” which, it should be noted, is handwritten on the inside back cover”.
1955 Chevrolet 210 – The “Hot Rod” – Such an awesome car. We had to push it into place for the photo shoot because once started, it burns 3 gallons of fuel in about 15 minutes. I have no confirmed numbers, but I can only imagine what it is capable of on the drag strip. I loved the girly pink look which thinly veiled its real intentions. I imagined what I would do if I owned it – name it an old woman’s name like “Gertrude” and take old Gerty out to the strip and dust modern cars one by one.
1968 Oldsmobile Toronado – Rick Dore Custom – What a ridiculous car! There are not too many modified Toronados for a reason…the heavy, slow, cumbersome front-wheel-drive car simply didn’t offer anything that anyone would consider worthwhile to dump all their money into. Rick Dore decided to do what no one else had done and heavily modified this 1968 Toronado to the hilt with a new engine, all new interior, wheels and a bagged suspension. Incredibly front heavy, this car rides very low on the nose with custom forged wheels that must weigh a ton apiece. The same color as a school bus (and about as long) this car commanded attention and was the most outrageous car I shot on this set.
1932 Austin America – We lovingly called the Austin the “Clown Car” due to its diminutive size. Probably right around 10 feet long, I could push this little car around easily with one hand. The doors were simply two pieces of sheet metal welded together, and it looked like a glorified lawn mower engine was under the hood. I felt like I should have on some shiny red size 20 shoes while shooting this car!
1937 Packard “Show Car” – Don’t be fooled by this car. It may look old, but looks are very deceiving. Nearly everything on this Packard was up to date, from its huge 454 engine to its digital dials and air suspension. Easily the meanest sounding of the bunch, this menacing looking car crawled around the warehouse, barking and growling at the other vehicles as it passed by. The beautiful reflective deep blue paint was hard to do justice, but I did my best!
1956 Lincoln Premiere Convertible – What a regal car. Reaching the proportions more fitting of a boat, this Lincoln could make anyone look more important while behind the wheel. With a gorgeous jet-black on red color scheme, this car embodied the 1950’s for me. Too long, too wide and with a turning radius of naval proportions, it was everything I’d hoped it would be.
and finally, the Rick Dore Customs 2005 SPEC Chopper and matching 1934 Ford Custom! This two originally came in a package deal, designed by Rick Dore who also created the ’68 Toronado. I personally was not a huge fan of the key-lime green paint, but can definitely appreciate the craftsmanship, which was second to none. I felt like I was on a magazine photo shoot with the two lined up together! Key lime paint or not, these were some awesome vehicles.
