"Old Skool" rods and customs are so cool. They are the epitome of the blue collar builder. Although these cars are often built on a shoestring budget, they aren't lacking in style and innovation. Take Jeff Whitby's 52 Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe custom for example. At first glance you might think this is a clean stocker. A closer look reveals several custom touches that makes this car ooze with coolness. These touches also caught the eye of the judges at this year's World of Wheels show in Winnepeg as Jeff's car won "Outstanding in Class" for Traditional Custom. The '52 will also be featured in an upcoming movie. Congratulations Jeff!

 Jeff tells us more about the car:

Since recently moving to the area from out of province, and always being a car nut, I soon realized that I had once again been bitten by the car bug and needed to get involved in the local car scene. . Luckily I found this gem for sale online and immediately knew that I had to have it. I have always been partial to the Tri 5 Chevys, specifically the 57s, which I have a couple of, but there was something about the Poncho that drew me to her. You seem to see a lot more Chevys of this age than Pontiacs, so I knew she was different . After a little bit of dealing, I was able to bring her home.

Although my 1952 Pontiac Fleetleader Deluxe was pretty much stock, I decided to add a few of my own personal touches. I lowered it about 3 inches in the back and about 2 inches in the front. I also added a couple more "teeth" to the grill, but unless you were a 52 Pontiac fan, you would never know. Wanting to keep with the "Old School" theme, I added the wide white wall tires, the chrome beauty rings and the ribbed baby moon caps topped off with 3" chrome bullets. I especially like the different colored rims, it seems to set them off. Always wanting to do something a little unique, I found an old glass claw foot from an old table, and used it as my shifter knob. The "hula girl" came directly from Hawaii thanks to my father in law, and the original 1955 air freshener came from the glove box of an old 47 Plymouth that I discovered years ago.

The drive train is basically stock except for the modern 2 barrel carb and intake, and my recent upgrade to a newer rear differential out of a 54 Chevy. Since my top speed with my original rear diff and a 3 speed standard, was about 55 or so, I got the opportunity to use a freshly swapped rear end out of one of my fellow car club members cars, and since it was an automatic torque tube, I couldn't pass it up. At this time, I haven't yet driven her with her new gears, but I'm assuming she"ll be happier than with the stock 4-11's. The 239 flat head six, although, no speed demon, is quite a brute. It never fails to amaze me how after 2 hours, you still can't touch the engine without getting burnt. Good old cast iron I guess.

Although the electrical system was converted to 12 volts from 6 volts by the previous owner, I added a single wire GM internal regulator alternator to keep her charging properly.

The most unusual accessory that I have installed is a White Lubricator which was manufactured by Whiz in the 40's and 50's and were advertized in Popular Mechanics. It works by delivering a mist of "Special Lubricating Oil" into your fuel system, which was supposed to lubricate your engine cylinders to eliminate dry start ups. I found this while at a car show in Carman Manitoba last spring, not knowing what it was at the time, but I knew that it would be cool to have. Not many people have ever seen one, so it always gets alot of notice at car shows.

I would like to give out a special thanks to my wife Tracy for understanding how important the car culture is to me, and allowing me to enjoy my "mistress". Also, I would like to thank my fellow Riff Raff Car Club members for accepting me and my car into their organization, and finally a huge thanks to Brent Hoitink for all the parts and technical support to help keep the old girl rolling. It wouldn"t have been nearly as rewarding without all of you!

I recently toyed with the idea of selling the Poncho and starting on one of my many "projects", but I have since realized by numerous positive comments, a recent feature in a small local advertising magazine, the acceptance into the 2011 World of Wheels in Winnipeg, and the fact the I was asked to use her as a Feature car of the Month here on Canadian Poncho, there is no way she"s getting sold. She has definitely made me think twice about parting with her...the other projects can wait. I"m very happy with my 52, certainly not as many of them around as the Tri 5"s that I used to be crazy about, and I"m proud to be able to share this piece of Canadian Iron with the other car nuts out there. She deserves it.