Showcase: 1955 Frazer Sport Custom

Showcase
1955  Frazer  Custom:  Walter  Omelenchuk  Special
Owner:  Undiscovered  Classics

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History

This one-off custom show car was built by Walter Omelenchuk who started building it in 1954 and finished it in 1955. Starting with a 1947 Frazer, Walter designed and fabricated custom steel body panels as well as used available automobile production parts in creative ways.

Design inspiration came from two areas: Detroit “Show Cars” being shown across the country and a nautical or “boat” theme which can be seen in the rear styling of the car. It was designed to attract attention from the start and it succeeded in every way.

After many years of use, the Frazer Custom (also nicknamed the “Orca Special” based on its coloring and nautical theme) was retired and thought lost. Found in a barn in the late 1990s by car hunter Mike Barker, the car was returned to running state and preserved for future displays and restoration plans.

Appearances

Our 1955 Frazer Custom has been a big hit from the start appearing in three events within a year of our acquisition with it being the feature car and draw for the 2019 Charlotte Autofair in Charlotte, North Carolina.  And for 2021, we’re in the planning stage for another exciting year of exhibitions.  Learn more below.

1955 Frazer Special Appears at 2022 Groundhog Gala, Sanford, Florida

 

 

1955 Frazer Special Debuts at the  2021 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Amelia  Island  Concours  d’ Elegance
Appearance Date:  Sunday May 23, 2021
Article Coming Soon

Charlotte  AutoFair:  October,  2019

Pennzoil Autofair at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Celebration of America’s Independent Automotive Designers
1962 Shark Roadster and 1955 Frazer Custom
Viewing Time: 2 Minutes
Wilson’s World
WCCB Charlotte: October 17, 2019

Pennzoil  Autofair  at  Charlotte  Motor  Speedway
Celebration of America’s Independent Automotive Designers
1962 Shark Roadster and 1955 Frazer Custom
October 17-19, 2019

Show  Cars  From  The  Sea:  June,  2019

Show Cars From The Sea:
1955 Frazer “Orca Special” and 1937 Gougeon Streamliner “The Whale”
Darienite, Darien, Connecticut News: June 3, 2019

Gasparilla  Concours  d’Elegance:  April,  2019

Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance:
1937 Cord-Chrysler Phaeton; 1955 Frazer Special
April 13, 2019

Technical  Specifications

  • Design:  One-off Sport Custom designed by Walter Omelenchuk 
  • Body: Custom panels built from steel.  Only original panel used from car was the hood, and Walter modified this by creating an opening at the front
  • Drivetrain: 1947 Frazer
  • Chassis: 1947 Frazer
  • Side Chrome: 1955 Pontiac Star Chief
  • Dashboard: Modified 1947 Frazer

Articles  About  This  Car

Published  &  Online
Click  Here  To  Learn  More

Additional  Reading

Click  Here  To  Read  “The  Emergence  of  the  American  Postwar  Sportscar”
As Published in the Program For the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, 2015

Click  Here  To  Read  “The  American  Sport  Custom  Automobile”
As Published in the Program For the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, 2012