Don Cox

Don was a member of the Carlsbad Oilers, and he used to take his camera along when they went racing on the lakes. He also brought along a then-new 35mm Kodachrome slide film, and many of Don's color photos ended up in Robert Genats book The Birth of Hot Rodding.

Jim Kierstead, a Navy veteran and friend of Sam Barris, bought this 1939 Mercury Coupe in 1945 after returning from service. Wanting a full custom, he took it to the Barris Brothers’ shop at 7674 Compton Ave. Rumored to be the first 1939-40 Mercury coupe chopped by Barris, Jim’s car was built for a smooth, flowing look. It was nosed, decked, shaved, and had its fenders leaded in. Running boards were removed, aftermarket headlights were installed, and the car sat low on flipper hubcaps and blackwalls. Jim drove the car in white primer for a few months before it was finished in black lacquer in December 1947. This in-progress photo was taken at the Barris shop by Don Cox during the chop. Photo from the Robert Genat Photo Collection.

A photo that Don snapped in Carlsbad, California, during an Oilers gathering off of La Cost Avenue in the lagoon on the beach area. According to Robert Genat, the Oilers used to race there on the beach! Photo from The Robert Genat Photo Collection.

Don Cox of Oceanside, California. Don was only 10 years old when he got his first camera, and prior to WWII he worked in several photo labs and camera stores.

December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Don joined the Navy. In the Navy he became a Photographer's Mate, honing his skills. After the war, Don continued to take photos. He was a member of the Carlsbad Oilers, and he used to take his camera along when they went racing on the lakes. He also brought along a then-new 35mm Kodachrome slide film, and many of Don's color photos ended up in Robert Genats book The Birth of Hot Rodding.