The Jim Kierstead Photo Collection

A photo of Jim's 1929 Ford Model A roadster and 1939 Mercury. Jim got involved with cars at an early age, and he built the roadster in 1939, when he was 16 years old. In this photo the Merc has been fit with a cut down 1942 Packard Clipper grille. The photo was taken circa 1945. Photo courtesy of Jim Kierstead.

A friend of Jim, posing with the Merc around 1945. Custom work at the time includes removal of trim, spotlights, and Flipper hubcaps. Photo courtesy of Jim Kierstead.

Jim posing next to his under progress Mercury kustom. At this stage, the coupe has been shaved for side trim, and dual spotlights has been installed on the a-pillars. Photo courtesy of Jim Kierstead.

A rare photo that shows George Barris' 1941 Buick next to Jim Kierstead's 1939 Mercury. Notice, this is before any restyling was done to Geroge's Buick. Jim's car is in white primer at the time, so the photo is most likely taken early 1947. Photo courtesy of Jim Kierstead.

Jim and his Mercury at the Salt flats in 1947. According to Jim's notes, he and Sam Barris went together. Sam took George Barris' 1941 Buick. Photo courtesy of Jim Kierstead.

An unknown 1941 Ford Coupe. We don't know who the person is, or wether the car was customized in the front or rear. It's fit with Hollywood Flipper Hubcaps on blackwall tires, and it appears like the stance of the car is raking forward. Photo courtesy of Jim Kierstead.

Jim Kierstead of Inglewood, California got involved with cars at an early age. He was born in 1923, and grew up in Los Angeles when hot rodding and custom just began to be hot. During WWII he met Sam Barris in the Navy. They became good friends, and when he was discharged in 1945, he bought a 1939 Mercury that the duo restyled. Unfortunately, Jim died in a car crash with the Mercury in 1947, T-boned by a Duesenberg. His family has decided to share Jim's photos with Kustomrama, so the legacy will go on.