Per Arne Knudsen

Per Arne Knudsen (July 1, 1941 – October 13, 2024) was a pioneer of the Norwegian hot rod movement. His contributions to the Norwegian automotive scene spanned the formation of two significant car clubs, Viking Custom and Nor-Way Custom, and his involvement in building one of Norway's first hot rods, a 1934 Ford Cabriolet. Over the years, Knudsen remained a central figure in Norway's custom car culture until his passing in 2024. This photo of Per Arne was taken in his garage at Atna in October of 2012. Photo by Sondre Kvipt - Kustomrama.

Per Arne working on his |1934 Ford Cabriolet, outside the garage he rented with Roar Arnegård at Alnabru, Oslo. The photo, taken between 1966 and 1969, captures one of Norway's early hot rod pioneers at work on what would become one of the country's most iconic hot rods. Photo courtesy of Per Arne Knudsen, from The Per Arne Knudsen Photo Collection.

Per Arne Knudsen's 1934 Ford Cabriolet nearing completion, a project started between 1964 and 1965 and finalized in 1969. The Norwegian vehicle licensing department refused to approve it for road use. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to gain approval, Per Arne sold the car to Ludvig Bjørnstad, who converted it into one of Norway's first drag racers to compete in an organized drag race.

A 1932 Ford project that Per Arne started in the 1970s, while he was living in Oslo. The build, housed in a garage on Enebakkveien near Kverner, was intended to be transformed into a roadster pickup. This project reflects Knudsen's continued dedication to hot rodding well after the early years of Viking Custom and Nor-Way Custom. Photo courtesy of Per Arne Knudsen.

Per Arne Knudsen's 1923 Ford Model-T Bucket, powered by a Chevrolet 350/350 engine, built in the 1980s. Despite Knudsen's craftsmanship, the Norwegian vehicle licensing department once again refused to approve the car for street use, just as with his earlier 1934 Ford Cabriolet. Photo courtesy of Per Arne Knudsen.

Per Arne Knudsen's 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Can Am Wagon. Two of these were built as a cooperation between Ecklers and Greenwood. Per Arne built and installed a stroked 383 engine in his wagon. The car had about 450 miles on its odometer, and Per Arne believes it had spent most of its life as a trailer queen.

Per Arne's last hot rod project, a 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe, as it sat in 2012. The car is a Swedish fiberglass-bodied 1932 Ford 5-Window coupe powered by a Chevrolet 350/350 engine and transmission combination. Photo courtesy of Per Arne Knudsen.

Per Arne Knudsen (July 1, 1941 – October 13, 2024) was a pioneer of the Norwegian hot rod movement. His contributions to the Norwegian automotive scene spanned the formation of two significant car clubs, Viking Custom and Nor-Way Custom, and his involvement in building one of Norway's first hot rods, a 1934 Ford Cabriolet. Over the years, Knudsen remained a central figure in Norway's custom car culture until his passing in 2024.

Early Life and Interest in Hot Rods

Born and raised in Oslo, Norway, Per Arne's passion for hot rods began when he discovered an American hot rod magazine at a newsstand at Koppang station in Østerdalen. Inspired by the culture he found in publications like Hot Rod Magazine and Rod & Custom, Knudsen began to seek out others who shared his interest in customizing cars. Growing up in Gamlebyen, a historic part of Oslo, Knudsen worked at the Standard shoe factory, where, at one point, he owned six old Fords parked behind the factory.

Viking Custom

In 1964, Per Arne Knudsen co-founded Viking Custom, one of Norway's earliest hot rod clubs, with his friend Roar Arnegård. Roar, who worked delivering magazines for Narvesen, had a similar passion for American hot rods and customs. Knudsen and Arnegård were interested in connecting with like-minded enthusiasts, so they placed a classified ad in the Swedish magazine Start & Speed, which led to the recruitment of new members such as Gunnar Berg-Kristoffersen.

The first Viking Custom meeting took place at Knudsen's home in Alnafet Street, Gamlebyen, and the club soon gained a following. The club issued its own newsletter, Viking Custom Klubb-Avis, and Knudsen and Arnegård shared a garage at Alnabru, where they worked on their vehicles. Despite Knudsen's close connection with the growing hot rod community, Roar preferred to work alone, leading to the dissolution of Viking Custom in 1967.

Nor-Way Custom

Following Viking Custom's disbandment, Knudsen took a more organized approach and founded Nor-Way Custom in 1967. He became the first president of the new club, which quickly grew to 100 members from across Norway. Like Viking Custom, Nor-Way Custom focused on building and modifying hot rods, though many members also dreamed of future projects.

Nor-Way Custom garnered attention in the Norwegian press, including an article in Ford Nytt that highlighted the club's early projects. Among the cars under construction at the time were Knudsen’s 1934 Ford Cabriolet, a 1936 Ford Delivery, and other notable hot rods, some powered by Ford V8 engines. Despite lacking a dedicated clubhouse or garage, the club worked on cars in various locations around Oslo, often in alleys or on sidewalks.

The 1934 Ford Cabriolet

Knudsen's most significant project was a 1934 Ford Cabriolet, which became one of Norway's most famous hot rods of the era. Although the car was eventually completed, it faced significant challenges in being approved for street use. In 1969, the Norwegian vehicle licensing department, led by inspector Neslein, refused to grant street approval for the highly modified car. Despite extensive discussions within the club about pursuing legal action, Knudsen eventually traded the car for a 1956 Chevrolet two-door hardtop.

Decline of Nor-Way Custom and Rise of Drag Racing

The refusal to license Knudsen's Ford Cabriolet marked the beginning of a shift in Norway's hot rod culture. Many members of Nor-Way Custom, realizing the difficulties in getting street approval for their modified cars, turned their attention to drag racing, which was gaining popularity in Sweden. This transition led to the eventual dissolution of Nor-Way Custom, as drag racing enthusiasts formed a new group, American Cars of Southern Norway (ACSN), focused on promoting drag racing in Norway.

Later Life and Other Projects

In the 1970s, while still living in Oslo, Per Arne started building a 1932 Ford roadster pickup. He kept the project in a garage on Enebakkveien, near Kverner, where he continued to work on his custom projects. During the 1980s, Knudsen built a 1923 Ford Model-T Bucket, powered by a Chevrolet 350/350 engine. Like his 1934 Ford Cabriolet, this car faced challenges with the Norwegian vehicle licensing department, which once again refused to approve it for street use.

One of Knudsen's most distinctive cars was a rare 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Can Am Wagon, a collaborative project between Ecklers and Greenwood. Knudsen installed a stroked 383 engine in the car, which had only around 450 miles on its odometer. According to Knudsen, the car had spent much of its life as a "trailer queen."

In 2012, Knudsen was busy building a 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe, a Swedish fiberglass-bodied hot rod powered by a Chevrolet 350/350 engine, reflecting his lifelong dedication to hot rodding.

Legacy

Per Arne Knudsen's contributions to Norway's hot rod scene laid the groundwork for a burgeoning car culture in the country. His work with Viking Custom and Nor-Way Custom inspired a generation of enthusiasts, and while his dream of creating street-driven hot rods faced regulatory challenges, his influence is still felt in Norway's automotive community. Knudsen passed away on October 13, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and dedication to the hot rod culture he helped to foster in Norway.

Per Arne Knudsen's Cars

Per Arne Knudsen's 1923 Ford Model T Bucket
Per Arne Knudsen's 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe
Per Arne Knudsen's 1934 Ford Cabriolet