Frank Sonzogni

Frank Sonzogni's 1950 Mercury

Sandy Kroll's 1953 Chevrolet, of Lakewood, California was restyled by Frank Sonzogni and Schelhaas Custom Shop. The painting was done by George Newton, and striping by Dean Jeffries.

Frank Sonzogni (1925–2004) was a distinguished American custom car builder and metalworker who played a pivotal role in the early days of the Kustom Kulture movement. Although not a household name, Sonzogni's craftsmanship left a lasting impact on custom car enthusiasts, especially through his work at Barris Kustom.

Early Life and Career

Frank Sonzogni made a living as a police officer, serving as a member of the Lynwood Police Department. During the 1950s, he patrolled the streets of Lynwood, California, as a motorcycle cop. Despite the apparent contrast between law enforcement and the custom car world, Sonzogni's passion for custom cars led him to spend his off-duty hours as a top-notch metal man at Barris Kustoms, which was also based in Lynwood at the time. He became a close friend of Sam Barris, and the two often collaborated on custom car projects. While Sam never pursued his childhood dream of becoming a police officer, he lived that experience vicariously through his friend Frank.

Contributions to Barris Kustoms

Sonzogni became a key figure in shaping some of the most iconic custom cars of the era. Working alongside George and Sam Barris, he completed metalwork on high-profile projects like the Hirohata Merc, where he helped chop the roof and finished the intricate leadwork, smoothed taillights, and refined the bumper guards. His expertise also extended to his own car, a full custom 1950 Mercury, which he built over two years. The car, which featured custom knobs made by Hirohata and appeared on the cover of Rod & Custom April 1950, stood as a testament to his skills.

Sonzogni’s contributions were essential to various well-known Barris projects, such as Mandy Holder's 1951 Mercury Convertible and the custom Oldsmobiles built for Gaylord and Nethercutt. His metal craftsmanship and dedication made him an irreplaceable member of the Barris Kustom team.

Later Years

When Barris Kustoms moved to North Hollywood in 1961, Sonzogni transitioned to working with Hershel "Junior" Conway, who had launched Junior's House of Color after an apprenticeship at Barris Kustoms. Sonzogni remained with Junior Conway for the next three decades, applying his expert lead work to high-profile projects, including luxury and exotic cars like Porsches and Ferraris. One of his last major projects was using lead to tighten the gaps in the door and trunk lid of Joe Mac Pherson's "Q29" Infinity-powered 1929 Ford roadster, which won America's Most Beautiful Roadster in 1994.

Legacy

Frank Sonzogni passed away from liver disease on June 26, 2004, at the age of 79. Remembered as a master craftsman, his legacy endures through the iconic custom cars he helped create. As George Barris succinctly put it, "He was a good craftsman, just like Sam."

Frank Sonzogni's Cars

Frank Sonzogni's 1950 Mercury

Cars Restyled by Frank Sonzogni

Sandy Kroll's 1953 Chevrolet