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Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to traditional hot rod and custom cars. Our mission is to keep history alive by protecting, preserving and sharing hot rod and custom car history from all over the world. More info...

Featured Stories

Cristina Dudley's 1955 Chevrolet - Daddy's Girl 1955 Chevrolet owned by Cristina Dudley of Huntington Beach, California. Known as "Daddy's Girl," the car was built by her father, Gordon Dudley as a tribute to the custom car culture of the 1960s, combining period-accurate aesthetics with modern touches for enhanced comfort and performance. Larry Wood's 1936 Ford 5-Window Coupe Larry Wood's story begins in Connecticut, where a single issue of Hot Rod Magazine sparked a passion that would fuel a lifetime of car building and design. The 1936 Ford Coupe became Larry's first step into the world of hot rods. Don Provance's 1957 Ford Fairlane Victoria - Gold Digger Don Provance's 1957 Ford Fairlane Victoria is a notable custom car that has undergone several transformations since its original purchase. Hailing from Oak Lawn, Illinois, Provance began customizing the vehicle as soon as he brought it home from the dealer.

News

10.01.2024 - Introducing the Kraze Painter by Von Franco! For a long time, we dreamed of having an authentic Weirdo shirt for Kustomrama. To make that dream a reality, we turned to none other than the legendary Von Franco! 08.27.2024 - Historic Recognition for Dodge Deora and Beatnik Bandit at the National Historic Vehicle Register The Hagerty Drivers Foundation has honored two legendary custom cars, the Dodge Deora and Ed Roth's Beatnik Bandit, by adding them to the National Historic Vehicle Register. 01.23.2024 - The Resurgence of a Legend: "The Uncertain-T" Emerges On January 23, 2024, the hot rod and custom car community was electrified with the announcement by renowned custom car builder and restorer Dave Shuten that the legendary "The Uncertain-T" had been found and that it now was part of the Galpin Auto Sports Collection.

Lost and Found

Looking for Info: David Engemann's 1939 Ford Convertible - The Dream Catcher 1939 Ford Convertible owned by David Engemann of West Branch, Michigan. Affectionately named the "Dream Catcher," Engemann's Ford is a unique custom that embodies the creativity and craftsmanship of several decades of automotive history. Lost: Duane Dewey's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster 1929 Ford Model A Roadster owned by Duane Dewey of Fontana, California. Duane, a member of the Roadents of Fontana car club, built the roadster in the late 1940s or early 1950s, shortly before entering the United States Marine Corps to serve in Korea. Lost: Art Jones' 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Aerosedan 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Aerosedan originally owned and restyled by Ramblers of Portland member Jerry Campbell of Portland, Oregon in the early 1950s. Known for its distinctive blend of elegance and power, Campbell's meticulous customization earned national recognition, with the car being featured in Hot Rod Magazine March 1955.

Photo Archive

The Milt Mallory Collection In the vast canvas of American automotive history, the late 1940s and early 1950s stand out as a period of intense creativity and mechanical ingenuity. It was an era that saw the birth of hot rodding - a unique cultural phenomenon that combined speed, style, and a relentless pursuit of personal expression. The Milt Mallory Photo Collection offers us a rare glimpse into this revolutionary period through a series of images that capture the raw essence of early hot rodding. The Joe "Bud" Simmons Collection Joe "Bud" Simmons was a founding member of the Throttle Benders car club in 1949. According to his grandson, Brian Burnham, it wasn't a big club, "just a bunch of farm kids from the California Central Valley." The Lyle R. Johnson Collection Lyle R. Johnson was a member of the Emperors of Seattle car club, and he was involved in the hot rod shows in the area in 1956 and 1957. Lyle acted as secretary-treasurer of the Emperors in 1956, and thanks to his son, a few of his photos and memorabilia have found their way to Kustomrama.

Remembering the Legends

10.13.2024 - Per Arne Knudsen Per Arne Knudsen (July 1, 1941 – October 13, 2024) was a pioneer of the Norwegian hot rod movement. His contributions to the Norwegian automotive scene spanned the formation of two significant car clubs, Viking Custom and Nor-Way Custom, and his involvement in building one of Norway's first hot rods, a 1934 Ford Cabriolet. Over the years, Knudsen remained a central figure in Norway's custom car culture until his passing in 2024. 08.24.2024 - Alex Xydias Alex Xydias (March 22, 1922 – August 24, 2024) was a legendary figure in the world of American hot rodding, widely celebrated for his pioneering work in the automotive and motorsports industry. Known for founding the iconic So-Cal Speed Shop and his later contributions to automotive media and events, Xydias' influence spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on car culture and motorsports history. 07.12.2024 - Paul "Woody" Wood Paul "Woody" Wood was a custom car and hot rod enthusiast from the Richmond Hill neighborhood of Queens, New York, known for his creative spirit and willingness to help others with their custom car projects.

Marketplace

For Sale: Sean Mason's 1950 Ford Restyled by Masterson Kustom Automobiles for Sean Mason, this 1950 Ford is a subtle yet classic example of Southern California custom culture. SOLD: Kustom 1959 Chevy Impala Less than 5000 miles on this build! Experience a smooth ride with this classic, featuring a small block GM engine, Auto 700R Tranny, and air conditioning. For Sale: Historic 1946 Buick Custom Convertible A rare find! Presenting a genuine 1946 Buick Super Convertible - a classic California mild custom.

Guides, Reviews & Recommendations

Rev Up Your Ride: Best Spark Plugs for Hot Rods & Custom Cars of 2024 When it comes to fine-tuning your hot rod or custom car, choosing the right spark plugs is as crucial as selecting the perfect set of wheels. Marvel Mystery Oil: Unlocking the Secrets of Engine Performance and Maintenance With a name like Marvel Mystery Oil and a reputation for extraordinary claims, this fuel and oil additive has captivated automotive enthusiasts for nearly a century. Mags, Drags & Rock'n Roll - Kustomrama's Guide to Mag Wheels You could see them on dragsters, hot rods, customs, lowriders, and show cars! Mag wheels were the ultimate craze during the 1960s, and no one wanted to stand outside the winner's circle.

Top Lists

50 Automotive History Books Every Car Enthusiast Must Read Are you a gearhead or an automotive enthusiast looking to expand your knowledge on hot rods, custom cars, and the rich history of the automobile? Look no further! Top 21 Barris Kustoms of the 1950s - Plus the Expert Picks of 2022 Do you have a favorite Barris Kustom build from the 1950s? We have made a list that showcases the 21 most famous and most important Barris Kustoms of the 1950s in chronological order. Kevan Sledge ranks the 3 greatest customs of all time Kevan Sledge is a founding member of the So. Cal Shifters car club. Kevan has had a passion for cars since he was a young kid and began building hot rods and customs as a hobby in the late 1980s. In 2011 he started up Sledge Customs, turning his hobby into a full-time profession.

Featured Events

SEMA Show 2023 The 2023 SEMA Show was held from October 31 through November 4, 2023. The show is a key event in the automotive specialty products industry, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. American Dream Cars of the 1950s at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance You are hereby invited to experience the magic of the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance through the lens of Roy R. Sorenson. Custom Car Revival 2021 The 2021 Custom Car Revival is a weekend event dedicated to traditional custom cars in Indianapolis, Indiana. It started as a one-day show in 2013 but grew on to a weekender for the 2014 show. The 2021 Custom Car Revival was held June 10-12, 2021, at Edwards Drive-In in Indianapolis.

Featured Projects

Marius Kristiansen's 1951 Ford 1951 Ford owned by Marius Kristiansen of Dal, Norway. Originally built in the United States, Kristiansen's Ford features a chopped top, airbags, and a shaved body, stripped of most of its chrome and ornamentation, giving it a sleek and streamlined appearance. Lawrence Garrison's 1940 Mercury Convertible In 2011 Birger Meland of Lier, Norway bought Lawrence Garrison’s channeled 1940 Mercury from Pat Orosco in California. For a long time, the history of this old custom has been full of holes and rumors. In June Birger told us that he wanted to restore the car back to how it was originally built. We applauded the initiative and agreed to help him research the history of the car. Gil Ayala's 1955 Ford Thunderbird - The Wild Bird Gil Ayala's personal custom, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, known as the Wild Bird, has been sold to Scandinavia. Gil's Thunderbird is one of the few known surviving Ayala Customs, and it is a great addition to the Scandinavian custom scene. The restoration. We followed the restoration of the car, and it's trip halfway across the world on Kustomrama.

Kustomrama Styling Studio

1950 Ford Custom - Bongo Date 1950 Ford Coupe designed by Howard "The Weird Rembrandt" Gribble. Gribble drew this custom sometime around 1959, as a high school freshman. At the time he was busy restyling his own 1950 Ford, and this design shows what kind of ideas he had planned for the car. Panel Painted 1950 Ford Custom 1950 Ford Coupe designed by Doyle Bidwell. Bidwell drew this custom sometime around 1959, as a high school freshman. At the time he was busy restyling his own 1950 Ford Coupe, and this design shows what kind of ideas he had planned for the car. 1941 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Custom Janne Kutja has been down in his archive again and found a design he drew back in 2006. This concept is based on a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr convertible. Main modifications include a chopped and leaned back windshield and a padded top.

Recommended Reading

Hot Cars in Cool California by Henrik U. Forss Hot Cars in Cool California by Henrik U. Forss is a visual journey that captures the spirit of a bygone era through the lens of a modern-day observer. Recommended: The Automotive Alchemist by Andy Saunders The Automotive Alchemist dives into the universe of UK master fabricator Andy Saunders. A tapestry of inspiration, resilience, and craftsmanship unfolds over 464 pages adorned with 1,055 behind-the-scenes photographs, telling the story of a young man from Poole with an endless imagination. Recommended: Peter Sukalac: Photo Journalist Thanks to Peter Sukalac, Northwest hot rods and customs started appearing in national magazines back in the 1950s. Thanks to Albert Drake, the history of the man behind the photos has now finally been documented and preserved.

Misc

Featured Video: Andy Southard Jr Archives - BOX 15: TEANECK NJ CAR SHOW 1958 Step back to 1958 with Andy Southard's stunning photo collection from a car show in Teaneck, New Jersey, now beautifully preserved and shared by Trent Sherrill of Speed and Kulture Magazine. Featured Video: The Barris Kustom Gets Revealed! A piece of custom car history brought back to life—this 1953 Oldsmobile Convertible, restyled by Barris Kustoms in 1958 for Bill and Bob Glazier, emerges from 50 years in storage. Chip Foose preserves its vintage spirit, allowing the Glazier family to experience the thrill of driving their father’s iconic Barris custom once more. Featured Video: Fitzpatrick Custom by Phil Lacy Video This car was designed and built by Phil Lacy in the late 1940s (1947-1949). the project was financed by Al Fitzpatrick. Shortly after the car was finished, Phil Lacy was recalled to active duty USAF to serve in Korea. He never saw the car again until it was rediscovered in 2006, this is the reunion of Phil and his car the Fitzpatrick Custom on Dream Car Garage.