Michigan

The Phantom Corsair is a custom-built concept car designed by Rust Heinz, a member of the H. J. Heinz family. Distinguished by its unusual provisions for safety and comfort at high speeds, the six-passenger aluminum coupe was built by Bohman & Schwartz coachbuilding company in 1937. Originally intended as a pilot model for a limited production, the Phantom Corsair plans were terminated when Rust was killed in an accident. William Stroh of Grosse Point, Michigan owned the car from circa 1943-1945.

The Speed Shop was an automotive performance parts store in Flint, Michigan, that played a crucial role in the development of the hot rodding scene in the Midwest during the mid-20th century. Opened in 1948 by hot rodding pioneer Bill Waddill, The Speed Shop became a popular destination for car enthusiasts and a vital resource for specialized automotive parts. Photo from The Fred Thomas Photo Collection.

One man power! Huron Valley Road Runners member Dick McPheeter working on a heavily chopped coupe. The photo was taken in Ypsilanti, Michigan in the 1950s. Photo from The Fred Thomas Photo Collection.

An overview photo from the 1953 Detroit Autorama. Photo from The Robert Genat Photo Collection.

Bob Nugent, a custom car enthusiast from Detroit, Michigan, joined the ranks of Jimmy Jones Skirt owners in 1956 when he purchased a set for his 1956 Chevy 210 directly from Jones himself. "I stood and watched him rake them over the coals. Paid $120.00 and then had Bill Hines paint them black for $15.00 bucks. He also heated my front springs for the same $15.00." In 2019 Bob told Sondre Kvipt that The Little Bat was under work in Hines garage and the fins were in wireframe. Bob has no photos of the car, but this is a rendering of his old custom. "By the way," Bob shot in, adding that Clarence Catallo who owned the Little Deuce Coupe was with him when he was at Jimmy's. "Before he owned the coupe. His parents bought a grocery store from my parents. He was fifteen. I lived in a great time in Detroit." Photo courtesy of Bob Nugent.

The Alexander Brothers' 1931 Ford Model A Coupe of Detroit, Michigan. Built in Larry Alexander's two-car garage in the Brightmoor section of Detroit, the build was completed circa 1957.

An early photo of the Alexander Bros. Custom Auto Shop. After first working out of their father's one-car garage, then Larry's two-car garage, Mike and Larry Alexander finally opened up their first shop on Northwestern Highway near Evergreen Road in Detroit in 1957. Photo from The Robert Genat Photo Collection.

Bob George was a local auto racing promoter that the members of the Strokers of Saginaw knew. Bob got hold of a fellow up in Edmore, Michigan that owned the Central Michigan Airport. "He let us use his airport, and that's when we started drag racing," Al Benaway told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama early in 2021. The year was 1957, and Al recalled that the airport consisted of sand and grass. "The first time I drag raced up there, I had the Model A Coupe with the flathead in it. I was drag racing in the dirt," he chuckled. Sunday, July 7, 1957, 2,117 spectators came to watch the first supervised Drag Strip race in Central Michigan make it into the history books. Al became the area’s top winner in Class C. Later on, he also raced a channeled '34 two-door sedan that he lost the grille on while racing, as the pointed 34 grille kept digging down into the sand. Photo from The Strokers of Saginaw Photo Collection.

Members of the Strokers of Saginaw having a meeting about the construction of a drag strip in July of 1957. Local auto racing promoter Bob George told the newspaper that if there was enough interest shown in their second race, held July 28, 1957, the airstrip track would be paved. Bob estimated that it would cost $36,000 to pave the Edmore track. Photo from The Strokers of Saginaw Collection.

Fred Thomas' 1950 Ford Two-Door of Ypsilanti, Michigan. The Ford was Fred's first custom. He got it in 1957 and it was mildly customized, lowered, and dressed up with full ripple wheel discs and handcrafted bubble skirts.

Bill Hines' 1950 Ford of Lincoln Park, Michigan. Known as "The Bat," Bill started restyling the Ford for a customer in his Southfield shop about 1955 or 56. The customer lost interest in the build, it became Bill's personal car, and he completed it late in 1957. Bill debuted the first iteration of The Bat at the 1958 Detroit Autorama. After moving to California, landing a job at Barris Kustoms, he gave the car a scallop paint job in 1958.

In the fall of 1958, Bill moved back to Michigan, bringing the scalloped iteration of The Bat along.

Bruce McClellan’s 1956 Chevrolet of Pontiac, Michigan. Bruce bought the Chevy brand new in 1956. George Halpin helped restyle the car, and in 1958 it was ready for a scallop paint job by Paul Hatton. The completed build was shown at the 1959 Detroit Autorama.

Terry McFarlane's 1927 Ford Model-T Sedan

Walt Pasternak's 1928 Ford Model A Pickup

Dick Dean's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster

Hot Rod Detroit

George Wiegand's 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Pick Up of Lansing, Michigan. Known as The Barracuda, Jerry "Spider the Crazy Painter" Drake gave the car its flame paint job in 1959.

Fred Thomas' 1947 Chevrolet Four-Door Sedan of Ypsilanti, Michigan. The car came from California, and Fred bought it from a fellow from San Bernardino. The Cal owner had been studying at the University of Michigan, and he sold tbe car to Fred before he returned back home to California in 1959.

Larry Cooper's 1954 Ford of Lansing, Michigan. In 1959, after Jerry "Spider the Crazy Painter" Drake had been pinstriping for about a year, Larry Cooper approached him about scalloping his mildly restyled 1954 Ford. By then, Jerry had been pinstriping for about a year and eagerly took on all the jobs he could. Larry’s dad, Lloyd, ran Cooper Body Shop in Lansing, a traditional paint and body shop, that also took on some custom bodywork. After Jerry had masked up scallops on Larry’s car, Larry applied gold and silver faded scallops on the car in his dad’s paint booth. Satisfied with the result, Larry asked his dad if he and Jerry could do custom painting on the weekends when their body shop was closed. Lloyd gave them thumbs up, as long as they cleaned up and were out of the shop by the next Monday. Larry’s Ford was the first car Jerry ever scalloped. Photo from The Jerry Drake Photo Collection.

Dick Dean's 1930 Ford Model A Roadster

The Alexander Brothers' 1931 Ford Model A Pickup - The Grasshopper

Dick Dean's 1931 Ford Model A Victoria

Al and Dave Tarkanyi's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe. Al and Dave were members of the Downriver Modified car club of Michigan.

Clarence Catallo's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe of Dearborn, Michigan. Known as "Silver Sapphire," Clarence's coupe was originally restyled by the Alexander Brothers in 1959.

The Official Kustomrama Michigan Supporter Shirt - Click here to order yours today.

Clarence Catallo's 1932 Ford - The Silver Sapphire

Dick Dean's 1932 Ford Sedan

Lew Wolff's 1932 Ford Roadster was built by Downriver Modified member Lew Wolff in the mid to late 1950s.

Jon Grinager's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe of Farmington, Michigan. Grinager acquired the Coupe in 1956 during his sophomore year at Farmington High School. What began as a school shop project soon became a local hot rod masterpiece. Years later, the car lay dormant for three decades after a 1980s restoration attempt that ended in heartbreak. However, its legacy was rejuvenated by Jon's nephews, Tanner and Logan Kucharek, who had it restored and showcased at the 2022 Detroit Autorama, where it clinched three awards. Amidst its revival, whispers emerged of its alleged ties to the Alexander Brothers, an iconic Detroit customizing duo. The quest for this connection remains alive, seeking evidence to validate these legendary claims.

Lew Wolff's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe was built and raced by Downriver Modified member Lew Wolff in the mid 1960s.

Jack Pieknik's 1934 Ford Victoria was supposedly restyled by Downriver Modified member Ray Hosh in the 1950s. Jack Pieknik bought the car in 1971 and got it back on the road again.

John Patterson's 1934 Ford Convertible

Mary Zassadney's 1934 Ford Pickup

Gene McCrickard's 1937 Lincoln Zephyr of Detroit, Michigan. Restyled in 1953, the car was Gene's first custom and high school ride.

Arthur Lellis' 1939 Ford Convertible of Los Angeles, California. Restyled by Art at Art & Jerry Custom Shop, the build was completed in 1946. Bill Dreist of Saginaw, Michigan bought the car in 1988.

Jack Telnack's 1941 Mercury Convertible of Detroit, Michigan. The build was started in 1954 and completed in 1955. After the build was completed, Jay moved to California, attending the Art Center Design School. He sold the car in California in the latter part of the 1950s. Jay went on to become head designer at Ford Motor Company where he is credited for the Taurus and the Sable.

Ray Russell's Gadabout of Detroit, Michigan. Built largely from aluminum and magnesium, Russell believed his car had post was possibilities. The build was completed in 1944.

K. E. Binder Company's 1948 Lincoln Continental

William D. Kennedy's 1949 Ford, of Detroit, Michigan was a Ford Motor Co experimental car, with cloth covered steel top and continental kit.

John Jenick's 1950 Buick

Dave Jenkins' 1950 Chevrolet

Alan Reason's 1950 Ford

Keith Ashley's 1951 Chevrolet - The Bel Air Royal Clone

Larry Ernst's 1951 Chevrolet - The Bel Air Royal

Roy Hewitt's 1951 Mercury of Cadillac, Michigan. Restyled back in 1956-57, the car featured handmade bubble skirts by Roy.

Lee Plastic Company was a company in Detroit, Michigan that fabricated and sold custom taillight lenses. The company was founded by Marvin D. Jarnagin in the 1950s. They stayed in business until the mid-1970s.

Larry Ernst's 1952 Ford Convertible of Toledo, Ohio. Restyled by Clarkaiser Custom Shop, the first version of the car, named "Pharaoh's Pacer", was completed in 1955. Larry was a Roman Catholic priest who later became a monsignor. Owning a radical and famous custom car put him at some odds with senior members of the church, so he showed the car under the fake name Grant Macklin. Spike McMurtrie of Jackson, Michigan bought the car in the 1990s.

Ray Russell's 1953 Ford convertible of Detroit, Michigan. Restyled in 1953, Ray's Ford featured a 7 inche sectioned body.

The Official Detroit Supporter Shirt - Click here to order yours today!.

Ken Foress' 1952 Mercury Convertible of Lansing, Michigan. In 1959 local pinstriper and custom painter Jerry Drake, aka Spider the Crazy Painter, gave the car a flame paint job at Cooper Body Shop.

Ted Fear's 1952 Mercury Montery

Dick Dean's 1953 Ford Shop Truck

Frank and Charles Gilardone's 1953 Ford

Rudy Rodriguez’s 1954 Ford of Lansing, Michigan. Rudy's Ford was restyled by Cooper Body Shop around 1956 - 1957.

Terry Smith's 1954 Ford of Lansing, Michigan. Terry was a member of the Capitol City Customs, and his Ford was restyled by Cooper Body Shop. The work was done sometime around 1956 - 1957.

Teddy Zgrzemski's 1954 Ford

Wally Knoch's 1954 Ford Convertible. Restyled sometime between 1954 and 1957, Wally's Ford was dressed up with a pair of Jimmy Jones Bubble Skirts.

The Strokers of Saginaw is a car club from Saginaw, Michighan. Established in 1955, the club was one of the NHRA charter clubs. The club was still active in 2020, celebrating its 65th anniversary as a club. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Russell.

A Strokers of Saginaw group photo taken at an indoor car show. Photo from The Strokers of Saginaw Collection.

Rodney Rice's 1955 Chevrolet of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The car, known as "the Astorian," was restyled by the Alexander Brothers and Fostoria Customs. The build was completed in 1964.

Jerry Drake's 1955 Ford Fairlane of Lansing, Michigan was restyled by Ed Blaisdell of Blaisdell Body Shop. Jerry is a well known Michigan pinstriper that operated under the name "Spider the Crazy Painter." He bought the Ford, known as "India Ivory" in 1957, and it went through several modifications between 1957 and 1959.

Lee Bailey's 1955 Ford Convertible of Battle Creek, Michigan. Lee was a member of the Automotive Engineers of Battle Creek. The Ford was his first car. His dad bought it for him in 1960, and he helped him restyle it the same year.

Sy Gregorich's 1955 Ford Crown Victoria - The Victorian of Detroit, Michigan was restyled by the Alexander Brothers, and was first completed in 1959.

Johnny Krzysik's 1955 Oldsmobile - The Vagabond

The Shifters of Pontiac auto club was founded in 1955. The club is one of seven clubs that made up the Michigan Hot Rod Association. Photo courtesy of Bill Bryan.

Dick Dean's 1956 Chevrolet

Spark Jumpers of Lincoln Park was a car club founded in Lincoln Park, Michigan in the 1950s. Photo courtesy of Jerry Sarkozi Jr.

Jerry Sarkozi's 1956 Chevrolet Delray of Lincoln Park, Michigan. Sarkozi was a member of the Spark Jumpers of Lincoln Park car club. He bought the Chevy brand new and had it restyled after being rear-ended in 1956.

Adrienne Hooper's 1956 Mercury convertible of Saginaw, Michigan. Adrienne's Mercury, named the Wild One, was featured on the cover of Custom Cars April 1960.

Dave Jenkins' 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air

Jerry Drake's 1957 Ford Fairlane of Lansing, Michigan. Jerry was a custom painter and pinstriper, operating under the name "Spider the Crazy Painter". He was also the President of the Injectors of Lyons car club. Jerry's Ford, known as the Candy Cane, received a custom paint job by Jerry and his buddy Dave Edmonds in July of 1960.

Russ Edgers' 1957 Ford Convertible of Lansing, Michigan. In 1959, Russ' Ford received a scallop paint job by Jerry "SPIDER" Drake and Larry Cooper at Cooper Body Shop.

John Osborn's 1957 Oldsmobile

Dick Rothfuss' 1959 Chevrolet Impala of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dick's Impala, known as "Poopsie", was restyled late 1959 - early 1960.

Jerry Yatch's 1959 Chevrolet - The Xcidian

Bill Whetstone's 1960 Ford Starliner - The Adonis

Calvin Wilkes' 1960 Ford - The Candy Cane

Geno Janokowski's 1960 Ford

Dell Chandler's 1960 Pontiac Ventura of a Lansing, Michigan. Dell's Pontiac received a scallop and panel paint job by Jerry Drake and Larry Cooper in 1960.

Mike Budnick's 1960 Pontiac - The Golden Indian

Teddy Zgrzemski' 1957 Chevrolet Nomad of Rockwood, Michigan. Teddy bought the Nomad from his friend Gene Rosco back in 1964 or 1965. It came from California, and it featured a beautiful Eddie Martinez interior. Shortly after buying the Nomad, Teddy's uncle, Bill Hines, helped install hydraulic lifts on the car, turning it into what might be the first hydraulic lifted car in Michigan.

The Dodge Deora is a radical design interpretation of the Dodge A100 forward-control pickup truck. The Deora’s striking lines were penned by California-based designer Harry Bradley. It was built by the Alexander Brothers of Detroit, Michigan. The build was started in 1964 and completed in 1966. Once completed the unique creation was honored with the coveted Ridler Award at the 1967 Detroit Autorama.

Gary Oliver's 1955 Chevrolet of Pontiac, Michigan. Known as "El Prado II," the car is a recreation of a custom Gary had in 1960. The clone was completed in 1984, featuring a scallop paint job by Paul Hatton, just like the original "El Prado."

Gary Glenn's 1957 Ford of Lansing, Michigan. The Hyde Brothers gave the car a panel paint job in 1961.

Paul E Wirrick Sr. inherited Lars Erik Ljungkvist's 1932 Ford Roadster from his brother Ernest Reese in the late 1980s. Ernest lived in Germany, and the car was imported from Europe in the early 1990s.

Kalle Jonasson's 1939 Mercury Convertible of Costa Mesa, California. Originally restyled in the 1940s or the 1950s. An earlier iteration of Kalle's Mercury was supposedly spotted in Lynwood, California in 1958. By 1963, it had been repainted in Green Metalflake, and an old photo shows it sitting at a car dealership in San Diego. Kalle bought the car in May of 1978 and spent two years restoring it, giving it his own look. Gary Bedard of Howell, Michigan bought the Merc in 1996.

George Barris' 1956 Continental Mark II was restyled by Barris Kustoms in 1956. The Lincoln was George's personal driver, and he owned it for about a year. Robert Jones of Michigan owned the car from 2000 to 2006.

In May of 2011, the remains of Bill Hines' Bat were advertised for sale on Craigslist. The car was located in Monroe, Michigan, and it was advertised without an asking price. When the car was advertised for sale, an unchopped top had been welded onto the car. The ad was brought to Teddy Zgrzemski's shop on one of his Thursday night hangouts. The ad was passed around and there was a good deal of discussion about whether or not it was the real thing, but Ted could confirm that it was. Bob Fryz of Dearborn, Michigan, one of the attendees called on the ad as soon as he saw it. He jumped into his daily driver, drove over to see it, and bought it. The guy that sold the car on Craigslist was a flipper, and he hadn't owned the car for long. He had bought it from an old guy that had it for years.

Emory Ashpaugh's 1955 Chevrolet of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1963 Emory's Chevrolet was shown as the Krimson Kart. Cody Burghdorf of Marshall, Michigan bought the old custom in the Summer of 2016.

The 70th anniversary Detroit Autorama will be held February 24-26, 2023 at the Huntingto Place in Detroit, Michigan.

David Engemann's 1939 Ford Convertible of West Branch, Michigan. Known as "The Dream Catcher," the car was rescued from a junkyard in Escanaba, Michigan in 2023. The old custom traces its lineage to the influential designs of Harry Westergard, specifically recalling the iconic 1939 Ford Custom he built for Mel Falconer. Despite its illustrious connections, much of the car's past remains shrouded in mystery, from its original builder to its various transformations through the 1940s and 1950s.

Michigan is widely known as the center of the U.S. auto industry. In 1903 Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company in Detroit. 10 year later he introduced the assembly line, an innovation that reduced the Model T’s chassis assembly line from 12.5 to 1.5 hours. Ford Motor Company could now produce affordable cars at a faster pace than anyone else. In 1914 Henry doubled the pay rate for the factory workers, and he reduced their workday from nine to eight hours. The day after the “$5 Day” was announced, an estimated 10,000 people lined up outside Ford’s employment office hoping to be hired. Henry eventually filled Detroit with automotive workers, and in the 1930s his River Rogue Complex employed over 100,000 hard-working men and women. Even though Detroit and Michigan boomed with automotive workers, it took almost half a decade before Ron Clark and Bob Kaiser would open up what is known as the first custom shop of Michigan. Clarkaiser Customs Shop was established in 1948, the same year as Robert Petersen’s first issue of Hot Rod Magazine went into print. As the hot rod and custom scene spread across the country, the Motor City would breed several talented builders such as Mike and Larry Alexander of the Alexander Brothers fame. The capital of Michigan, Lansing, is located 100 miles West of Detroit. While Detroit had Henry Ford and his Ford Motor Company, Lansing was the home of Ransom E. Olds and his Olds Motor Vehicle Company. By the mid 1950s the hot rod and custom craze had also reached the state Capital.