El Matador (custom car)

El Matador is a custom car built by Bill Cushenbery during 1959–1961. It was his first show car.[1]

Cushenbery began work on El Matador in late 1959 as a showcase for his talents and a rolling advertisement.[1] It started as a 1939 Ford,[1] chopped 4+1⁄2 in (110 mm) and sectioned 5 in (130 mm).[2] '57 Olds parking lights were used as taillights.[2] The nerf bar bumpers were adapted from upper bumper rails off a 1950 Pontiac.[2]

He scrounged parts from Seaside Auto Wreckers, operated by Vick Irvan (father of Ernie Irvan).[1] The rear window was a windshield from a 1951 Chevrolet fastback, mounted upside-down.[1]

The car featured vertically-stacked, inward-canted headlights[3] (a common customizing idea at the time), with hand-formed steel front end and chrome mesh grille.[3]

El Matador debuted in February 1961 at the Oakland Roadster Show.[1]

Cushenbery sold the car to Bob Larivee, Sr.[1]

El Matador and Exodus, which appeared the same year, drew a lot of attention to Cushenbery and a lot of custom work for his shop.[1]