George Jezek

George Jezek's 1946 Chevrolet Pickup. This was Jezek's first custom, "with crude striping as I was learning." Done in 1957, it featured a GMC grille. It was lowered 6 inches in front, and 3 inches in back. It ran the original 216 engine dual carbs and exhaust. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

The Phantom! A mildly restyled 1951 Chevrolet that Jezek restyled for Darrell Donahue of West. "I did the low-budget custom work on the 51 Chevy while in high school, probably in 1958, but I didn't do the purple paint job. That was an example of some of my early striping." The photo was developed in July of 1959. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A front end shot of Darrell Donahue's 1951 Chevrolet custom reveal more striping by Jezek. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

George was a member of The Eliminators of West Rod Club, a car club established in West, Texas in 1960. Founded by a group of six passionate hot rodders, the club was dedicated to the world of rods and customs. With a motto of "Dedicated to Safety," the club played a significant role in the local car culture of the early 1960s. The club had a relatively short lifespan, disbanding in 1962. The primary reason for its dissolution was the departure of its members for various reasons, including college, military service, and work commitments. As George Jezek reminisced, "It was a good time to be a hot rodder. We enjoyed this hobby, and a couple of us remain friends to this day." His testimonials offer a glimpse into the joy and excitement of that era, a time when cars were more than machines – they were a canvas for creativity and a means to forge lasting bonds. Photo from The George Jezek and Charles Andrle Collection.

A Shoebox Ford that Jezek pistriped. The photo was developed in May of 1960. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A mildly customized Chevy that Jezek striped. The photo was developed in May of 1960. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A roof that Jezek scalloped and pinstriped. The photo was developed in October of 1960. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A book that Jezek pinstriped in about 1960, when thin line striping was popular. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A Ford Convertible that Jezek striped. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A photo of George with his 1949 Chevrolet 2-Door Sedan developed in November of 1961. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A mildly customized Volvo PV that Jezek has pinstriped for a fellow Eliminators of West car club member Chuck Andrle. Notice the louvered package tray. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

Joe Smith's 1934 Ford Fordo of Waco, Texas. Joe's C/A Fordor was Oldsmobile-powered and competed at drag strips in Waco and Dallas. It featured striping by Jezek. Photo courtesy of Joe Smith.

A flamed motorcycletank by Jezek. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A Ford truck that Jezek has flamed and pinstriped. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A Chevy truck that Jezek decorated with one of his flame paint jobs. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

Another one of Jezek's flame paint jobs. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A flame and scallop paint job by Jezek. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

A 1932 Ford that Jezek has pinstriped. Photo from The George Jezek Collection.

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George Jezek of Waco, Texas is a multifaceted individual whose life has been deeply intertwined with the world of hot rodding, art, and architecture.

Early Life and Passion for Cars

Born and raised in the small town of West, located 15 miles north of Waco, George's passion for hot rodding ignited around 1955. At the age of 14, he obtained a driver's license, a common practice in rural Texas at the time. His first vehicle, a Chevy pickup with the iconic bow tie emblem, was more of a necessity than a passion. He used it to deliver ice for his father's ice house both before and after school. However, his heart truly yearned for a '32 Ford, a dream that seemed unattainable during his youth.

Artistic Endeavors

While many of his peers doodled rods and customs in their school binders, George's talent stood out. Recognized as the class artist, he explored various mediums, including drawing, sculpture, and photography. His artistic flair was evident in his first Chevy pickup, a '35 model, which he hand-painted black and adorned with white pinstripes using a watercolor brush. His subsequent Chevy, a '46 model acquired in 1957, was painted under the shade of a tree in his gravel driveway using two fly sprayers. His proficiency in pinstriping grew into a salable skill. He often striped cars in front of his father's ice house/market and became the go-to sign painter for businesses in West.

The Eliminators of West Rod Club

Late in 1959, after graduating, George co-founded the Eliminators of West rod club. This NHRA chartered club boasted a rented shop in West. Despite having numerous members, George was one of the few who actively utilized the shop. He spent his after-school hours and weekends there, painting designs on customers' cars. His senior year saw him acquire a '49 Chevy 2-door, which he extensively modified in the club shop. This car, with its myriad customizations and Jezek's signature pinstriping, was a testament to George's passion and skill.

Career and Later Life

Following his service after high school, George's artistic background landed him a job at a company specializing in porcelain metal gas stations. Initially hired for his sign-painting expertise, he quickly transitioned into designing buildings. This experience paved the way for his eventual career as an architect in Waco.

George Jezek's Cars

• George Jezek's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster
• George Jezek's 1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan
• George Jezek's 1932 Ford Sedan
• George Jezek's 1935 Chevrolet Pickup
• George Jezek's 1946 Chevrolet Pickup
• George Jezek's 1949 Chevrolet 2-Door Sedan - The Candy Cart