Ortega's Custom Shop

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Bill's first shop in Bellflower. Bill took over Ed Schelhaaas' shop on Bellflower, and for a while he ran it with Ed's old sign, Ed's Auto Service Shop, still painted on the wall. Larry Watson's 1959 Cadillac is parked in front of the shop in this photo. Photo from the Larry Watson photo collection, provided by Rik Hoving.[1]
Larry Watson's 1959 Cadillac in front of Bill's shop in November 1959. Photo from the Larry Watson photo collection, provided by Rik Hoving.[1]
Two Thunderbirds getting ready for a Larry Watson paint job at Ortega's Custom Shop. Photo from the Larry Watson photo collection, provided by Rik Hoving.[1]

Ortega's Custom Shop was a custom shop in Bellflower, California owned and operated by Bill Ortega. Bill worked at Barris Kustoms until he opened up his own shop at 10116 Artesia Boulevard in Bellflower. Bill changed his name from "Bill Ortega" to "Bill DeCarr" because he didn't want his kids to have a hard time because of their last name. According to Larry Watson he changed it to DeCarr to make people think they were Italian. Bill took over Ed Schelhaaas' shop on Bellflower, and for a while he ran it with Ed's old sign, Ed's Auto Service Shop, still painted on the wall. Bill did a lot of bodywork for Larry Watson, and Larry did often rent a spray booth from Bill.[2]

Cars Restyled by Ortega's Custom Shop

Larry Watson's 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
Larry Watson's 1959 Cadillac 62 Series Coupe
Fred LeFevre's 1959 Chevrolet El Camino
Larry Kubota's 1959 Chevrolet Impala

Yonny Koyama's 1959 Pontiac Bonneville




 

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