Fritz Schenck

Fritz Schenck's Baja Bandito

Fritz Schenck's Roswell Rod

Fritz Schenck's Outlaw Clone

Ed Roth's Mega Cycle as it appeared after Fritz restored it in 2009.

Fritz Schenck's Beatnik Bandit Clone. In addition to building his own bubble top show rods and restoring Ed Roth’s iconic builds, including The Mega Cycle and The Druid Princess, Fritz has now turned his attention to cloning Roth’s legendary Beatnik Bandit. Seen here in early March 2025, this in-progress shot highlights the radical body lines and bold paintwork that pay homage to Roth’s original vision. Photo courtesy of Fritz Schenck.

Fritz Schenck restores Ed Roth's "Druid Princess"

Fritz Schenck's Clone of Ed Roth's Outlaw

Fritz Schenck restores Ed Roth's Captain Pepi "Megacycle"

57 Chevy Custom found by Fritz Schenck

Roswell Rod Build Up

"Margarita Chiqiita" 1960 Panhead Chopper

The "Beatnik Bandit" clone build series

The "Indian Larry" Indian Chopper clone build series

The "Baja Bandeeto"

Fritz Schenck is a recognized show car builder and painter from Kansas City, Missouri. With a career spanning nearly 30 years in building, modifying, and painting cars and motorcycles, his work blends automotive engineering with fine arts, establishing him as both an innovator and a custodian of classic car culture.

1 Early Life and Introduction to Customization
2 Career and Contributions
3 Artistic Philosophy and Legacy
4 External Links
5 Fritz Schenck's Cars
6 Fritz Schenck's Bikes
7 Cars Restored by Fritz Schenck
8 Future Restoration Projects
9 Cars Painted by Fritz Schenck
10 Bikes Painted by Fritz Schenck for Indian Larry Legacy
11 Sources

Early Life and Introduction to Customization

Schenck’s passion for automobiles began at an early age. He purchased his first vehicle, a 1955 Chevy sedan, when he was in the sixth grade, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to car culture. This early experience set the stage for his future endeavors in automotive customization, influencing both his technical skills and his creative approach.

Career and Contributions

Over the decades, Schenck has developed a reputation for his creative body styles and advanced paint techniques. His work in the field includes:

Custom Designs and Body Work: Schenck is proficient in a wide range of modifications, from subtle chassis adjustments to radical, full-scale redesigns. His expertise covers both traditional steel bodies and modern fiberglass constructions.
Innovative Paint Techniques: His painting repertoire is diverse, ranging from understated finishes to extravagant, high-impact designs. Schenck is known for using techniques such as layered flame graphics, metal flake finishes, candy apple hues, pinstriping, and even the application of gold leaf. These techniques help to create distinctive, era-correct designs that resonate with both classic and contemporary automotive aesthetics.
Holistic Customization: Beyond the visual aspects, Schenck’s skills extend under the hood. His comprehensive understanding of automotive mechanics and design enables him to integrate performance enhancements with artistic modifications, ensuring that the customizations are both visually striking and functionally reliable.

Artistic Philosophy and Legacy

Described as a renaissance man, a blend of artist and gear head, Schenck embodies a philosophy that values continuous creativity and the preservation of classic designs. His work is inspired by the traditions established by earlier mentors in the custom car scene, yet he is committed to contributing innovative styles for future generations. Schenck’s approach is not only about achieving an eye-catching appearance; it is also a statement against the loss of classic automotive heritage to neglect and obsolescence.

His distinctive style and commitment to the craft have earned him recognition across the International Show Car Association circuit and in notable automotive publications such as Street Rodder, Rod & Custom, Custom Kulture Deluxe, and Ol' Skool Rods.