Roy Rogers' Bonneville

[911pcars]

I must say, Roy had better taste in wives (Dale) and horses (Trigger) than cars ('63 Bonneville).



I saw something like a sister-car in one of the recent televised Barrett-Jackson auctions - maybe it was Roy's. I recall the announcer saying the builder produced about 15 of these, all with fender-mounted six-shooters, chrome horse statues and a TX longhorn head ornament mounted in the grillwork. In addition, the version I saw had a polished Winchester lever-action mounted behind the back window area and pointed straight ahead.

Anyone have any background info on the builder or the cars?

Sherwood

[speeder]

I want that car w/o the custom doo-dads. I love Pontiacs from the *Wide Track* era...

Where is the museum?

[Zeke]

I wasn't Barris?

There used to be a place in LB called George's Round Up on PCH. He had 2 large storefront windows. In one there was a Lincoln Continental convertible, everything gold or gold plated. Six shooters and horns like RR's car.

In the other window was a Hog dressed to the 9's in gold.

Originally Posted by speeder

Where is the museum?

First in Hesperia, then Branson MO. It closed and is being auctioned.

[RPKESQ]

Nudie designed them. He did Roy's gun belts and boots and saddles, etc.

Always amazed at how the nastiest job in the West, where only half-breeds, Mexicans, Blacks and Irish could be found, turned into an American icon. It would be like a sewer-worker being up made into a national icon.

[Zeke]

Ah, Nudie. The costumer to the county stars. Lots of Elvis stuff.

[varmint]

the longhorns on the front should be sharpened, not blunted.

[GWN7]

"Also sold was Rogers' 1964 Bonneville convertible, which brought in almost $254,500."

[targa911S]

Yes it was a Nudie car. He did lots of cars although not famous for them.

[911pcars]

Intrigued by the builder of this car, I looked for some info and came up with "Nudie Cohn". It turns out his creations were the precursor to custom car and fashion bling,

A taylor by trade, Cohn was the ultimate self-promoter. However, he ended up designing costumes for the likes of Rogers, Elvis, John Lennon, Hank Williams, ZZ Top, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and many other celebrities. If you're in So Cal, there are photos and costumes on display at the Gene Autry Museum in Griffith Park.

INMO, in that GM commissioned Cohn to customize some of their cars may have been an early symbol that they valued PR and marketing more than manufacturing serious products. Imagine Porsche or MB-commisioned show cars with beer mugs festooned on the hood. With a clear majority on car sales at the time, GM took full advantage.




It wasn't a total waste of time since the search words, "nudie" resulted in a lot of interesting websites to "review" and "study".

Nudie Cohn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Google images:
Nudie Cohn, custom car - Google Search

Sherwood

[targa911S]

I see Nudie suits on ebay occasionally. They sell for like $10K. I would kill to own one.

[Gene-o]

Nudie suits aren't rare at all...I bet every Pelican on this site has one and has had it since the day they were born!

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Gene-o

Nudie suits aren't rare at all...I bet every Pelican on this site has one and has had it since the day they were born!

This thread is worthless with pics.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

This thread is worthless with pics.

Ha.

I apologize for broaching the subject (subtle fashion pun).

S

[tcar]

Also sold was.... ....Trigger!

Trigger was stuffed after he died, was in the museum.

[targa911S]

bullet too.

[911pcars]

Given Roy's propensity to stuff and preserve his beloved possessions, has anybody seen Dale around?

Sorry.

S

[targa911S]

He died before her. I bet she was relieved.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by targa911S

He died before her. I bet she was relieved.

In that case, has anyone seen Roy lately? We've been assuming Roy was into taxidermy. Maybe an incorrect assumption.