Link Paola

Link Paola's 1940 Ford Convertible was customized before the new 1940 Ford was introduced to the public in in 1939.

Spencer Murray's 1949 Chevrolet of Glendale, California. Spencer worked for Link Paola at Link's Custom Shop when they restyled the car, and he had a heck of a time getting him to work on it. They chopped the top of the car 3 inches in September 1950. We don't know when the build was completed, but Spencer showed it at the 1952 National Roadster Show in Oakland.

Lincoln "Link" Paola is a legendary customizer who was practicing customizing both before and after WWII. In 1939 Link was working in the bodyshop of a Ford dealership in Glendale, California. Back then the new models were delivered to dealers before they were released to the public so the dealers had time to arrange showroom layouts and plan the big opening day. The Ford dealer where Link worked got a load of 1940 Ford models about a week, or ten days early. One of these was a convertible which Link fell in love with, and he convinced the dealer to sell it to him. He did, and Link began customizing the Ford after the agency closed each night. He was always known as a fast worker and it only took a couple of days to do the metalwork and chop the windshield. He took it to Carson Top Shop for a top, in those days it took about 4 days if you made a reservation. When he got it back he painted it maroon. He finished it up - without the dealer knowing what he'd done - and on the day the '40 models were displayed for the first time Link parked his in front of the agency. Link's car drew a larger crowd then the stock '40s inside so Link was fired right on the spot. After being fired, Link opened up his own unnamed one-car shop. The shop was located right across from that same Ford agency. While he operated the unnamed shop, he restyled Spencer Murray's 1941 Ford Convertible and Spencer Murray's 1941 Chevrolet Convertible. Later on he restyled a 1946 Chevrolet Convertible for Spencer, by then he was working at a Chevy dealer. In 1947, Link opened up Link's Custom Shop at 3451 No. Verduco Road in Glendale, California.

In the early 1950s Link moved on to become an Oldsmobile dealer, and stopped doing bodywork and customization work.

Link Paola's Cars

Link Paola's 1940 Ford Convertible

Cars Restyled By Link Paola Prior to Opening Up Link's Custom Shop

Spencer Murray's 1941 Ford Convertible
Spencer Murray's 1941 Chevrolet Convertible
Spencer Murray's 1946 Chevrolet Fastback

Cars Restyled by Link Paola at Link's Custom Shop

Click here to see cars restyled by Link Paola at Link's Custom Shop