Mike Bello

Q&A with Mike Bello Mike Bello talks about growing up, what got him into cars and how he started his shop working on kustoms.

Mike Bello's 1953 Chevrolet Bel-Air - The Purple Kruzer. After building hot rods in his two-car garage, this was first full custom build after opening up his first shop. Photo courtesy of Bello's Kustoms.

Mike Bello's 1940 Mercury Coupe. Photo courtesy of Charles LaGreca.

Mike taking the Purple Kruzer for a cruise.

Mike Bello runs and operates Bello's Kustoms in San Diego, California. The shop has a focus on 1954 and earlier American-made cars.

First Car

Mike's first car was a Datsun 510. Inspired hot rod and custom magazines he shaved the door handles, performed some custom tricks to it, and hot-rodded the engine. That was all he could afford and do at the time. Mike had some cousins in Mexico that were into cars, and they were his heroes as he was growing up.

When he was about 20 years old, Mike's next car was a 1959 Chevrolet C-10 Pick Up. The truck was a restoration project. He set out to restore it but sold or traded it off before it was completed.

A Garage and a Hot Rod

After getting a little house with a garage, Mike went on to build hot rods, as they were easier, and he didn't need that much space. He got a Ford Model A that he put together and turned into a roadster. Mode Model A's followed.

Custom Cars

Mike started building custom cars after he moved into his own shop. He knew he could chop a car, but he couldn't chop a custom in his two-car garage. The Purple Kruzer was the first full custom build he did.

Mike Bello's Cars

Mike Bello's 1940 Mercury Coupe
Mike Bello's 1953 Chevrolet Bel-Air - The Purple Kruzer