Custom Car Chronicle

Rik Hoving October 26, 2022October 27, 2022 8 Comments Al Ayala, Ayala, Ayala Body Shop, CCC-T, Dick Lugo, East Los Angles, Gil Ayala, Gil's Auto Body, Gil's Auto Body Works

Ayala Body Shop

AYALA BODY SHOP The Ayala Body Shop on East Olympic Ave opened in 1945. Gil Ayala would keep this shop open for around

Custom History Marcia Campbell Collection

David/Michelle May 16, 2022May 17, 2022 4 Comments Barris Kustom, CCC-T, David E. Zivot, Garland's, Marcia Campbell, Michelle, Michelle M. Yiatras, Timechanic

Marcia Campbell – Not a “Bettie” Page!

Custom History Early Custom Cars

Rik Hoving April 26, 2022April 27, 2022 5 Comments 1936 Ford, 36 Ford 5-window, Filled Quarter window, Horn's Used Car lot, Jamco, Jeff Boone, Los Angeles Auto Auction, Rodders Journal ad, Rounded Corners, spotlight, The Willis Horn Coupe, Willis Horn

The Willis Horn Coupe

The Willis Horn Coupe In 1941 Willis Horn from Marysville California purchased a Custom 1936 Ford Chopped Coupe from a

Custom Car Accessories Custom History

Rik Hoving April 25, 2022April 26, 2022 9 Comments 48 Cadillac, Barris, Barris Kustoms, Cadillac Tail Fin, Cadillac Taillight, Harley Earl, Jamco, Rodders Journal ad

Customizing with early Cadillac Tail Fins

CUSTOMIZING CADILLAC TAIL FINS When the 1948 Cadillac introduced the all new Streamline rear fender Tail Fin it was quickly

Barris Kustom Shop Custom History The Personal Stories

David/Michelle March 4, 2022March 6, 2022 4 Comments Ayala, CCC-T, Danny Lares, Donating CCC, Garland's, George Barris, Jack Stewart Ford Book, Jesse Lopez, Michelle, Michelle M. Yiatras, Nick Matranga

Jesse Lopez – Lo! & Behold

Custom History Early Custom Cars Jimmy Summers

Rik Hoving February 6, 2022February 8, 2022 14 Comments Ayala, Barris Kustoms, cbflash, fade-away, Fadeaway fenders, Harry Westergard, Jimmy Summers, Les Crane

Fadeaway fenders

FADEAWAY FENDERS One of the more extensive ways to Custom Restyle you car is to reshape the front fenders into

Ayala Custom Shop Bruce Bartlett Collection

Rik Hoving January 22, 2022January 22, 2022 12 Comments Al Ayala, Ayala, Bruce Bartlett, CCC-Shirts, Gil Ayala, Jamco, Jim McClaren

McClarens Ayala Shoebox

MCCLARENS AYALA SHOEBOX Bruce Bartlett share another great photo with us, Jim McClaren’s chopped 1949 Ford Coupe. (Original

Custom History Early Custom Cars Jimmy Summers

Rik Hoving December 11, 2021December 20, 2021 8 Comments '36 Ford, 1936 Ford Coupe, Alex Xydias, Bob Fairman, Don Kretzer, fade away fenders, Fadeaway fenders, Jamco, Jimmy Summers, Joe Johnson, Rodders Journal ad, Smith Car Co.

Bob Fairman 1936 Ford Coupe

BOB FAIRMAN 1936 FORD Around 1941 Jimmy Summers and Bob Fairman create this full Custom 1936 Ford Coupe

Dick Bertolucci Harry Westergard Less Crane

Rik Hoving October 1, 2021October 13, 2021 10 Comments Buddy Ohanesian, Dick Bertolucci, Harry Westergard, Kenneth VK, Less Crane, Ohanesian

Ohanesian Merc – details

OHANESIAN MERC DETAILS One of my personal all time favorite custom cars, The Harry Westergard/Less Crane/Dick Bertolucci-built 1940

Ayala Custom Shop Barris Kustom Shop Custom History Gaylords Marcia Campbell Collection

Rik Hoving September 2, 2021September 13, 2021 21 Comments Alcorn, Ayala, Barris, Bettancourt, first chopped merc, Gaylords, king shirts, Mercury, Quesnel, Sledge Customs, Wally Welch

The first chopped 49-50 Mercury?

FIRST CHOPPED 49-50 MERCURY Who was the first one to chop the top of the 1949-1951 Mercury, the

Featured Cars Featured Custom Cars The Tom Nielsen Collection

Tom Nielsen August 10, 2021August 11, 2021 9 Comments Bob Bedell, Dale Runyon, Jack Conner’s Speed Shop, John Orberg, Kenneth VK, KI, Rod Mckenzie, Roger Bedell, The Accelerators, Tom Nielsen

Hometown Custom

HOMETOWN CUSTOM It is unusual now as well as back in the fifties for a custom car to

custom cars Early Custom Cars The Tom Nielsen Collection

Tom Nielsen June 17, 2020August 11, 2021 3 Comments 1933 Ford, 1934 Ford, 33 Ford, 34 Ford, Classic Custom Car, spotlight

Custom 1933-34 Fords

FORDS MODEL-40 CUSTOMIZED Today almost all of the modified ’33 and ’34 Fords are done up as street rods or

Custom Car Accessories Custom History The Tom Nielsen Collection

Tom Nielsen June 30, 2018August 11, 2021 5 Comments Custom Accessory, Custom Antenna, Frenched Antenna, Space Age Antenna, Tom Nielsen

Antennas on Customs – Beam Me Up Scotty!

ANTENNAS on CUSTOMS When building a custom car the radio antenna is a feature that sometimes received “special

custom cars Custom History The Tom Nielsen Collection

Tom Nielsen May 30, 2017August 11, 2021 6 Comments 51 Victoria, Ford Vicky, Ford Victoria, Jay Johnston, Rodders Journal ad, Tom Nielsen

Victoria Custom Stories

VICTORIA CUSTOM STORIES The stories that go along with the old pictures of early custom cars are sometimes

The Tom Nielsen Collection

Tom Nielsen January 21, 2017August 11, 2021 6 Comments Custom Car name, Jamco, Rodders Journal, Tom Nielsen, Tom Nielsen Custom Car names

What’s in a Name?

WHAT’S IN A NAME? The trend originated from Motor Boats and WWII airplanes found its way into the Custom Car

Custom History The Tom Nielsen Collection

Tom Nielsen March 15, 2016August 11, 2021 7 Comments 58 Lincoln, 60's style custom, Barris, Bill Cushenbery, Canted Quad Lights, Gene Winfield, KI, Quad Lights, Tom Nielsen

Canted Quad Lights

CANTED QUAD LIGHTS Canted Quad Headlights on Customs, a trend started in 1957 highlighted in the early 1960’s. By

← Previous