Mike Clines

The "Strawberries and Cream" version of Dick Gonzales' 1955 Studebaker. In 1957, Dick's Studebaker underwent an extensive restyling at Art's Custom Shop, earning its sweet nickname "Strawberries and Cream." Featuring sidetrim from a 1954 Buick, peaked and extended rear fenders with scoops, and frenched taillights, the car was finished in Oldsmobile Rose Mist and pinstriped by Mike Clines. Inside, the white Naugahyde tuck and roll upholstery completed the look, creating a custom car that truly stood out. Photo from The Cut Outs of Long Beach Photo Collection.

Ron Dulin's 1956 Plymouth Fury of Long Beach, California. Dulin was a member of the Cut Outs of Long Beach car club, and his Plymouth went through seven iterations between 1956 and 1962. This photo shows the car as it appeared late in 1957 or early in 1958, by then the car had received subtle scallops by Mike Clines.

Jerry Feigner's 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air, of Wilmington, California. Jerry was a member of the Cut-Outs of Long Beach car club, and his Chevrolet was known as "Lil Honey Bee." In 1958 Mike Clines gave the car a scallop and pintripe paint job in his father's garage in Long Beach. Mike also added the chrome tape to the top of the car.

Ron Dulin's 1956 Plymouth Fury of Long Beach, California. Dulin was a member of the Cut Outs of Long Beach car club, and his Plymouth went through seven iterations between 1956 and 1962. This photo shows the car as it appeared early in 1958, after Mike Clines had added Gold scallops.

Bob Shelby's 1957 Ford featured scallops by Mike. Shelby’s approach to customizing his Ford was a masterclass in subtlety and style. Rather than altering the car's iconic lines, Bob chose to enhance its natural beauty with a sophisticated blend of paint and upholstery. Striking scallops by Mike Clines gave the car a distinctive yet tasteful look. The wheel spinners, sidepipes, and chrome bullets in the taillights added just the right amount of flair, while the matching interior and chrome tape on the roof created a harmonious and cohesive design. Photo from The Cut Outs of Long Beach Photo Collection.

Mike pinstriped Floyd De Boer's 1958 Pontiac Bonneville after Larry Watson had painted it.

Mike pinstriped and scalloped Gary Simpson's 1958 Buick Special Hardtop, and according to Rod & Custom November 1958 the highlight of the car was the unique work he performed on it.

Mike Clines of Long Beach, California.

"I was fortunate enough to be raised in Long Beach, Califonia," Clines told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2020. "I went to work for one of the best, Larry Watson, the year I graduated from high school, in 1959." Watson was Clines mentor.

Mike retired in 2019, and his young apprentice took over the shop. In 2020 he still had a small shop in his garage at home where he was venturing out doing some commissioned art pieces.

Cars Painted or Pinstriped by Mike Clines

Gary Thorton’s Ford F-100 Truck
Jerry Feigner's 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air - Lil Honey Bee
Dick Gonzales' 1955 Studebaker
Ron Dulin's 1956 Plymouth Fury
Bob Shelby's 1957 Ford
Gary Simpson's 1958 Buick Special Hardtop
Floyd De Boer's 1958 Pontiac Bonneville