Custom Car Chronicle

Ayala Body Shop

October 26, 2022October 27, 2022 Rik Hoving 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 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

Marcia Campbell – Not a “Bettie” Page!

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

Custom History Early Custom Cars

The Willis Horn Coupe

April 26, 2022April 27, 2022 Rik Hoving 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 In 1941 Willis Horn from Marysville California purchased a Custom 1936 Ford Chopped Coupe from a

Custom Car Accessories Custom History

Customizing with early Cadillac Tail Fins

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

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

Jesse Lopez – Lo! & Behold

March 4, 2022March 6, 2022 David/Michelle 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

Custom History Early Custom Cars Jimmy Summers

Fadeaway fenders

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

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

McClarens Ayala Shoebox

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

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

Bob Fairman 1936 Ford Coupe

December 11, 2021December 20, 2021 Rik Hoving 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 Around 1941 Jimmy Summers and Bob Fairman create this full Custom 1936 Ford Coupe

Dick Bertolucci Harry Westergard Less Crane

Ohanesian Merc – details

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

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

The first chopped 49-50 Mercury?

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

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

Hometown Custom

August 10, 2021August 11, 2021 Tom Nielsen 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 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

Custom 1933-34 Fords

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

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

Antennas on Customs – Beam Me Up Scotty!

June 30, 2018August 11, 2021 Tom Nielsen 4 Comments Custom Accessory, Custom Antenna, Frenched Antenna, Space Age Antenna, Tom Nielsen

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

Victoria Custom Stories

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

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

The Tom Nielsen Collection

What’s in a Name?

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

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

Canted Quad Lights

March 15, 2016August 11, 2021 Tom Nielsen 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 Headlights on Customs, a trend started in 1957 highlighted in the early 1960’s. By

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