2005

Fritz Schecnk's Roswell Rod. In 2005 Fritz Schenck debuted a fiberglass bubble top show rod called the Roswell Rod at the Detroit Autorama. At the show, The Roswell Rod was shown next to a clone of The Mysterion that Dave Shuten had just completed.

Dave Shuten's New Mysterion is a recreation of Ed Roth's Mysterion. Dave's Mysterion made its debut at the 2005 Detroit Autorama.

Darrel Panfil's Munster Koach is a tribute to the original Munster Koach that Barris Kustoms built for The Munsters television series in 1964. Since he was a 10 yr old kid, Darrel Panfil of Lombard, Illinois watched The Munsters and was infatuated with The Munster Koach. He started researching details in 1991. In 2003 he started the build. With good help from his three brothers, the build was completed in 2005.

The restoration of Marty Ribits' 1934 Ford Cabriolet, named The Golden Nugget, was completed in 2005. The restored version of the old Bill Hines custom made it's debut at the 2005 Detroit Autorama. The restoration was completed 3 days prior to the show.

Bill Layman's 1954 Mercury of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Inspiration for the build came from Dick Jackson's 1954 Mercury. Bill's Merc was completed in 2005.

Gary Fioto's 1955 Ford of Long Island, New York. The car is known as The Beatnik and it was built by Gary “Chopit” Fioto. As a kid growing up, Fioto was fascinated with bubble tops, particularly those of Darryl Starbird. When he decided to finally build his own bubble top he decided to base it on a 1955 Ford custom. The body was heavily massaged before Fioto fit it with a large blown bubble. The build was completed in 2005, and in 2006 Fito’s Beatnik won the coveted $20,000 Grand Prize at Darryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Lasse Mäenpää's 1958 Chevrolet Impala was given a Watson inspired paint job by Pekka Wizzard Mannermaa in 2005.

83 years old, Bill Hines was named 2005's Builder of the Year at the 2005 Detroit Autorama. He was on hand to receive accolades for his contributions to the art of customizing, and five of his creations were displayed at the show. Photo courtesy of Larry Jordon.

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Detroit Autorama Builder of the Year 2005

83 years old, Bill Hines was named 2005's Builder of the Year at the 2005 Detroit Autorama. He was on hand to receive accolades for his contributions to the art of customizing, and five of his creations were displayed at the show. One of the cars was the newly restored Marty Ribits' 1934 Ford cabriolet, the Golden Nugget. Current owner Larry Jordon completed the restoration 3 days prior to the show.

Hot Rods Built or Completed in 2005

Darrel Panfil's Munster Koach Tribute Car

Custom Cars Restyled or Completed in 2005

Bill Layman's 1954 Mercury
Gary Fioto's 1955 Ford - The Beatnik
Lasse Mäenpää's 1958 Chevrolet Impala

Show Rods Built or Completed in 2005

Dave Shuten's New Mysterion
Fritz Schecnk's Roswell Rod

Cars Restored or Completed in 2005

Marty Ribits' 1934 Ford Cabriolet - The Golden Nugget