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Lengthy pit stop planned at museum in birthplace
By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 01:20 p.m. EDT, Jun 18, 2009
CUYAHOGA FALLS: The Polynesian — a one-of-a-kind historic car that has resided in Stark and Summit counties since 1953 — is headed home to California.
Local car restorer and artist Gene Blackford, who owns The Red Lacquer Room, is lending the car to the Petersen Automotive Museum for its California Car Design show that will run from June 27 through February at the museum on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles.
''This is all new to me — giving the keys to my car to somebody I don't know that's on the other side of the country,'' said Blackford. ''But I realize it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
''I'm an Ohio guy and it's an Ohio car. That's what makes it such an honor to have the car featured in the California Car Design show. I figured I had to take advantage of that.
''Still, I have to admit that it's a little unnerving to have put all the time, money and effort that I have into the car and then just turn my baby over to a truck driver that I don't even know.''
Blackford said the trip that began this afternoon will mark the first time that the Polynesian, so named because of its orchid flame purple paint job, has returned to its birthplace in Los Angeles.
The car originally was a 1950 Oldsmobile hardtop that Jack Stewart of Canton bought while on leave from the Air Force in 1952.
Stewart took the car to Pasadena-based Valley Custom, one of the high-profile custom body shops in the 1950s.
Stewart helped on the design work, which featured lowering the car's height by four inches by taking it from the middle of the car's body, and then Neil Emory and Clayton Jensen of Valley Custom spent nine months customizing the car. All for $1,700, Blackford said.
Stewart drove the Polynesian back to Canton. Blackford happened to see the car at Peck's Custard Stand in the Portage Lakes as a 12-year-old boy in the summer of 1953.
It was love at first sight.
Six owners and 18 years later, Blackford bought the car for $1,000 from a body shop owner who had it stored in a barn in Robertsville in eastern Stark County.
''It was in terrible shape,'' Blackford said. ''But I had to have it.''
The Polynesian sat in Goodyear Heights in the garage of Blackford's mother for another 33 years until he and bunch of buddies restored it for the Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles in 2005.
Blackford said he was literally pushed by friends into restoring the car for the show at Glenmoor Country Club.
''It was 30 years of procrastination and suddenly I had to have the car ready to show in nine months,'' said Blackford, who graduated from Akron's St. Mary High School in 1959.
''That was quite a trip. We worked day and night to get it ready. We painted it on the day the show opened.''
The car won the 2005 Glenmoor custom car award and then captured the Preservation Award at the 2006 Detroit Autorama. It also was presented as the featured car at the 2008 Kruse Concourse Automobile Show in Auburn, Ind.
Blackford said he had to rebuild the engine in 2006 and transmission in 2007. The Polynesian is still drivable.
''What's really neat is it is heading back to its birthplace in Los Angeles and thousands of people will have a chance to see one of the most unique cars in the world,'' he said.
Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.
CUYAHOGA FALLS: The Polynesian — a one-of-a-kind historic car that has resided in Stark and Summit counties since 1953 — is headed home to California.
Local car restorer and artist Gene Blackford, who owns The Red Lacquer Room, is lending the car to the Petersen Automotive Museum for its California Car Design show that will run from June 27 through February at the museum on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles.
''This is all new to me — giving the keys to my car to somebody I don't know that's on the other side of the country,'' said Blackford. ''But I realize it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
''I'm an Ohio guy and it's an Ohio car. That's what makes it such an honor to have the car featured in the California Car Design show. I figured I had to take advantage of that.
''Still, I have to admit that it's a little unnerving to have put all the time, money and effort that I have into the car and then just turn my baby over to a truck driver that I don't even know.''
Blackford said the trip that began this afternoon will mark the first time that the Polynesian, so named because of its orchid flame purple paint job, has returned to its birthplace in Los Angeles.
The car originally was a 1950 Oldsmobile hardtop that Jack Stewart of Canton bought while on leave from the Air Force in 1952.
Stewart took the car to Pasadena-based Valley Custom, one of the high-profile custom body shops in the 1950s.
Stewart helped on the design work, which featured lowering the car's height by four inches by taking it from the middle of the car's body, and then Neil Emory and Clayton Jensen of Valley Custom spent nine months customizing the car. All for $1,700, Blackford said.
Stewart drove the Polynesian back to Canton. Blackford happened to see the car at Peck's Custard Stand in the Portage Lakes as a 12-year-old boy in the summer of 1953.
It was love at first sight.
Six owners and 18 years later, Blackford bought the car for $1,000 from a body shop owner who had it stored in a barn in Robertsville in eastern Stark County.
''It was in terrible shape,'' Blackford said. ''But I had to have it.''
The Polynesian sat in Goodyear Heights in the garage of Blackford's mother for another 33 years until he and bunch of buddies restored it for the Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles in 2005.
Blackford said he was literally pushed by friends into restoring the car for the show at Glenmoor Country Club.
''It was 30 years of procrastination and suddenly I had to have the car ready to show in nine months,'' said Blackford, who graduated from Akron's St. Mary High School in 1959.
''That was quite a trip. We worked day and night to get it ready. We painted it on the day the show opened.''
The car won the 2005 Glenmoor custom car award and then captured the Preservation Award at the 2006 Detroit Autorama. It also was presented as the featured car at the 2008 Kruse Concourse Automobile Show in Auburn, Ind.
Blackford said he had to rebuild the engine in 2006 and transmission in 2007. The Polynesian is still drivable.
''What's really neat is it is heading back to its birthplace in Los Angeles and thousands of people will have a chance to see one of the most unique cars in the world,'' he said.
Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 01:55 PM, 06/18/2009
I remember seein' this car jes' before the boys started the restoration. Congratulations Gene for a job well done. Bask in the recognition.
Posted 07:10 PM, 06/18/2009
Nice! Congrats in a major way, Gene!
I know you. You know me. It's been years.
There is nobody else even close to Gene Blackford as far as being a reliable, responsible fellow who will go the extra mile for his customers. If you need some work on your car or truck, seeing Gene first is always a good choice!
I was in business with my father for several years, starting in the mid-1970's. Amerox. Long since out of biz, and my father passed away in March of 1999. We did some work for and with Gene on several vehicles, including some incredible high-end cars.
Great to read this article about a hard-workin' American who believes in quality and value for each and every customer!
Ok. OK! Enough gushing! Let's just say The Red Lacquer Room is where I would take my vehicles if I still lived in the area. In Texas now.
akron, oh
Posted 11:00 PM, 06/18/2009
gene....its Tracy...from the Holland Oil drive thru! congrats! i had triplets that are 6 now!
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 07:01 AM, 06/19/2009
Please do us a favor; don't sell it to the first wad of cash from Europe or the mid-east. This is part of The United States heritage and history, keep it here. That piece of art has 3 times more metal in it than any car from the show room floor now and is a great example of our past.
Looks Cherry.
Posted 05:25 PM, 06/19/2009
Tracy! TRACY!
You had triplets, and now there are SIX of 'em?
They must all be beside themselves today, 'eh?
Congratulations, mom. Bring 'em up right!
