Joe Perez

Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird of San Pedro, California. Built with the help of his brother Mike and Greg Sharp, the Thunderbird underwent extensive customization under the skilled hands of Bill Ortega, Bill Hines, Eddie Martinez and Joe Perez. Featuring a Candy Red paint job by Hines and a custom interior by Martinez, the car debuted in its full glory at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama, winning the Sports Car Sweepstakes. This early iteration of Mike's Thunderbird became a standout icon in the Southern California custom car scene and was later featured in Rod & Custom magazine May 1964.

A 1960s business card for Perez Kustom Kar Interiors, operated by master upholsterer Joe Perez at 4819 Nobel Street, Los Angeles, California. Renowned for his expertise in diamonds and pleats, Joe was a favorite among customizers, creating interiors for many of Larry Watson's builds. He also contributed to Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird. When Eddie Martinez did most of the upholstery work in the car, but when he was unavailable, Joe crafted a snap-on hood tarp and upholstered the trunk, adding his signature touch to this iconic custom. Photo from The Mike Kosulandich Collection.

A photo of the trunk in Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

One of Joe's business cards from the 1960s. Donated by Marshall Tripp, this business card comes from the office of Larry Watson. In the 1960s Joe was known as one of the best custom upholsterers in Southern California, and he did many of Larry Watson's interiors. Marshall, who worked for Larry between 1966 and 1967, remembers Watson once telling him that "you'll never win best interior with black." When Marshall worked for Watson, Joe had a shop at 4819 Nobel Street in Los Angeles, and diamond and pleats were his specialties. Photo from The Kustomrama Business Card Collection.

A photo of custom upholsterer Joe Perez next to his 1951 Ford Victoria taken at Bill Hines' 91st birthday April 6, 2013. Photo by John Gilbert.

Joe Perez' 1951 Ford Victoria. Joe has owned the car since it was almost new.

The Orbitron

Johnny Taylor's 1958 Ford

Joseph "Joe" Perez of Los Angeles, California. In the 1960s Joe was known as one of the best custom upholsterers in Southern California, and he did many of Larry Watson's interiors. Marshall, who used to work for Larry between 1966 and 1967, remembers Watson once telling him that "you'll never win best interior with black." When Marshall worked for Watson, Joe had a shop at 4819 Nobel Street in Los Angeles, and diamond and pleats were his specialties.

Joe Perez' Cars

Joe Perez' 1951 Ford Victoria

Cars Upholstered by Joe Perez

Larry Schuber's 1923 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup - T Bone
Greg Sharp's 1940 Ford Pickup
Jerry Cohen's 1948 Chevrolet
The Orbitron
Joe Perez' 1951 Ford Victoria
Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird - The Sundowner
Johnny Taylor's 1958 Ford