Captivating by Design.(Escape Roads)

Byline: BROOKS BRIERLEY

Imagine: Were Michelangelo around for car design, this stunning coupe could be one of his masterpieces.

The Fitzpatrick Custom was just a dream in 1947 when a former World War II fighter pilot, Phil Lacey, showed his friend Al Fitzpatrick some of his car sketches. Fitzpatrick asked Lacey to build one of the cars, and thereby joined a Southern California movement to fashion two-seaters-called sports customs-from existing automobiles. Major manufacturers got in on the act, too, and the Chevrolet Corvette, Kaiser Darrin and Ford Thunderbird were born.

Long before computer-aided design, a three-foot-long side elevation made of paper was the basis for construction of the Fitzpatrick Custom. Lacey used Packard mechanicals, adding a 160-hp Super Eight motor to one of the marque's more modest 122-inch wheelbase chassis. The Packard's wide chassis rails minimized the need for modifications.

For three years working part time at night, Lacey was a coachbuilder. His metal-shaper and right-hand man is now remembered only as Lucky. Lacey and Lucky incorporated features from other luxury marques into the Fitzpatrick, such as rear fenders from a Cadillac found in a junkyard. By contrast, the compound curves in the front fenders were laboriously hammer-welded (sans lead filler) from numerous little pieces of metal.

The Fitzpatrick Custom was a technical achievement to boot. Adding a specially made aluminum manifold and new carburetors improved engine output to 200 hp.

The car was nearly complete when Lacey was recalled to duty for the Korean War. Fitzpatrick had a trim shop finish the interior, and then it was put on display in Packard's Beverly Hills showroom. A full-page write-up in the November 1950 Road & Track ensured the coupe started life as a star.