Dale Scribner

Dale's brother going to "work" in his first hot rod about 1942. Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

In 1958 or 1959, Dale Scribner brought his 1953 Henry J to Sam Barris to have it lowered. Sam, living nearby in Carmichael, used a simple folded piece of paper as a gauge to lower the front springs to Dale's preferred height. In 2024, the memories of the car remained vivid, especially the moments with Sam Barris: "I have fond memories of those days and Sam who took his time to help a kid out," Dale told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama. Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

A photo taken from the roof of Mel's Drive-In in Sacramento in 1959. As Dale fondly recalled, Mel's Drive-In in Sacramento was always a hub of activity, much like the famous scenes from American Graffiti. "We would make a loop up K Street, down J Street, and into Mel's, waiting for a parking spot to open up. The place was full of life, and sometimes, folks would be looking to race." Illegal street races were common, and one night after the legal drag races in Vacaville, a gasser team rolled a Willys gasser off a trailer, drove it through Mel's, and loaded it back up, much to everyone's excitement. That spontaneous and rebellious energy was typical of the time. With cars packed into every available spot, people would cruise the surrounding streets until they found a parking space. Illegal drag races took place regularly, with racers looking for competition at every stoplight. Dale’s stories of Mel’s drive-in encapsulate the essence of the era—a time where car culture, racing, and youthful exuberance thrived. The black-and-white image of Mel’s Drive-In showcases its bustling atmosphere, a visual reminder of Dale’s vivid memories from those nights spent cruising with friends and racing on Sacramento streets.

A photo of Dale with his 1940 Chevrolet Coupe. "I later sold the Henry for $150 and purchased a 40 Chevy Coupe, which promptly threw a rod." Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

Dale's 1938 Ford Four-Door Sedan. Another one of his early cars. Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

A rear end shot of Dale's 1938 Ford. Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

Dale posing with his 1956 Chevrolet, a business coupe equipped with a 327 engine and an overdrive manual transmission. Dale recalls this car as one of the best he ever owned. This photo captures a special moment in Dale’s long history with classic cars. Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

Another photo of Dale's 56. As it was a business coupe, it didn't have a back seat. Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

"A couple kids in my neighborhood stopped by and we staged our cars and took some pics." Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

Dale built the white and blue one for his daughter. Photo courtesy of Dale Scribner.

Dale Scribner was born and raised in Carmichael, California. He purchased his first car, a 1953 Henry J, at the age of 16. In 1958, he took the |Henry J to Sam Barris to have it lowered, marking the beginning of his lifelong passion for cars.

Over the years, Dale built and owned several classic vehicles, including a 1940 Chevrolet coupe, a 1938 Ford four-door sedan, and a 1956 Chevrolet business coupe, which he describes as one of his favorite cars, featuring a 327 engine and manual overdrive transmission. Dale’s ingenuity and creativity were evident from a young age—his Henry J, for example, featured custom exhaust tips made from irrigation pipes on his family ranch.

His passion for custom cars extended to his family, as he built cars for his children as well. Even decades later, Dale continues to share his stories and experiences, contributing to the preservation of custom car culture through platforms like Kustomrama. His memories, especially his interactions with Sam Barris, highlight the strong sense of community and mentorship that has long been a hallmark of the custom car scene.