The Mike Kosulandich Collection

A business card from Joe Andersen, a custom paint and pinstriping shop in Gardena, California. Andersen, an early pioneer in airbrushed designs and fadeaway paint schemes, started his career in Los Angeles under the mentorship of Louis Senter of Ansen Automotive. His innovative work extended to show cars, street cars, and dragsters, including the iconic Stellings and Hampshire "Red Stamp Special" dragster, praised as one of the most beautiful dragsters ever painted. Photo from The Mike Kosulandich Collection.

A 1960s business card from Bill Hines Kustom Auto Enterprises, located at 11508 Long Beach Blvd., Lynwood, California. Hines was a legendary custom car builder and designer whose work included the work on Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird "Sundowner." The Thunderbird, built with the help of Mike and Greg Sharp, featured Bill Hines' signature craftsmanship and Candy Red paint, earning it the Sports Car Sweepstakes at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

A 1960s business card from Gene Winfield's Custom Shop, showcasing his role as a Styling Consultant for AMT Model Co., Inc. In 1962, Gene began working with AMT on a consulting basis, designing model kits and later building full-scale promotional cars in their Speed and Custom Division Shop. His innovative designs for AMT connected him to Hollywood, where he created iconic vehicles such as the Maxwell Smart Car from Get Smart, The Reactor for Bewitched, and the Galileo 7 shuttlecraft from Star Trek. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

A 1960s business card from Custom Center, run by Paul and Johnny Martinez in Baldwin Park, California. Paul Martinez, a protégé of the legendary Bill Hines, carried forward Hines' signature customization techniques, specializing in custom bodywork and paint jobs. The Martinez Brothers gained recognition for their work on notable cars like Don Loster's 1959 Ford, a hydraulics pioneer’s ride. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

A 1960s business card for Martinez Custom Auto Interiors, operated by Eddie Martinez, located at 11508 Long Beach Blvd., Lynwood, California. Renowned for his craftsmanship, Martinez was responsible for the interior of Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird. His attention to detail and mastery elevated the Thunderbird, helping it win the Sports Car Sweepstakes at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

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 courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

A 1960s business card for Don "Penguin" Loster, a pioneer in the use of hydraulic lifts for lowering cars. Known for his innovative work in the Southern California custom car scene, Penguin's shop became synonymous with "extra low" rides. Based in Hollydale near Downey and Paramount, Loster worked alongside his close friend Bear in a tight-knit community where creativity thrived in the mid-1960s. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Tats Gotanda had a full pearly white Eddie Martinez interior when he started showing The Buddha Buggy. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Later on, Tats sold the whole interior to another 1959 Chevrolet owner and had Eddie Martinez redo the car in blue frieze and white pearl. "Tom, Greg and I were at the shop, and Eddie was building two plywood tubs. We asked him what they were, and he said 'they are Hoshi's new front bucket seats.' He was doing a lot of custom boats at the time and building bent plywood seats that he upholstered." Mike believes that was his basis for the car seats. "I think Harry Loveland had upholstered the first cars to show up at the local shows with frieze...Art Lehner's 1932 Ford and Johnny Taylor's 1958 Ford." Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

A photo of The Buddha Buggy taken at an indoor car show. Built by Bill Hines, The Buddha Buggy is a masterpiece of subtle yet striking modifications. From the sculpted scoops along the rear quarter panels and headlight sides to the split bumpers and Imperial grille, every detail was meticulously executed. Perforated metal gave the scoops a finished look, while Candy Blue paint over a pearl white base created its unforgettable hue. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.