William "Bill" Block's 1936 Ford 3-Window Coupe - Brandy's Chariot

1936 Ford restyled by Dave Puhl at Trend Customs for William Block of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Block's 36 was known and shown as the "Golden Chariot" and "Brandy's Chariot". It was considered by many to be the finest custom rods ever built, and William made a total cash investment of $ 9000 including labor and 300 hours of work to build it.

An early iteration of Bill's coupe was featured as the Kenosha Coupe Hot Rod Magazine December 1958. Photo courtesy of Wally Shatkus.

An Arcade Card of Brandy's Chariot courtesy of Car Craft Magazine.

Kustomrama Wisonsin Division T-Shirt - Order yours today!

An album containing a photo of the Golden Chariot at the 1960 National Champion Custom Car Show in Detroit was listed for sale on eBay in October 2011.

At the 1961 National Champion Custom Car Show. Photo by Jerry Della Torre.

Some facts about the custom that were printed on the 8x10 photos of the car. According to Wally Shatkus, Brandy was a St. Bernard dog, "and that's why you'll notice the giant stuffed animal of one often shown with the car." Photo courtesy of Wally Shatkus.

Photo from the Dick "Fuzzy" Fuerholzer Collection.

Photo from the Dick "Fuzzy" Fuerholzer Collection.

Unfortunately, the Golden Chariot was destroyed in a fire at John Finnegan's shop. Back then, the car was owned by Bill Balogh. This photo shows the car as it appeared after the fire.

Photo courtesy of John Finnegan.

This is one of the last photos taken of the iconic custom. The body is off the frame and heading off to be junked. A close look shows the chrome front suspension laying on the ground. Photo courtesy of John Finnegan.

Remaining parts for sale at a KKOA show.

In May of 2021 Wally Shatkus was the owner of the customized front fenders from Brandy's Chariot. Wally is a big fan of the historical custom car scene in the Chicago area. " I grew up near Trend Custom and as a grade-school boy the Trendero is the first kustom car I ever saw," Wally told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama. Wally wants to rebuild the old custom, and he is currently looking for original parts of Brandy's Chariot that may still be around. Please get in touch with Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com if you have or know where any of the parts from the historic custom car is today. Photo courtesy of Wally Shatkus.

Vote for World Famous Brandy's Chariot. A couple of pencils from Wally Shatkus' Collection. These were handed out at shows. Photo courtesy of Wally Shatkus.

1936 Ford restyled by Dave Puhl at Trend Customs for William Block of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Block's 36 was known and shown as the "Golden Chariot" and "Brandy's Chariot". It was considered by many to be the finest custom rods ever built, and William made a total cash investment of $ 9000 including labor and 300 hours of work to build it.

The Kenosha Coupe

An early iteration of Bill's coupe was featured as the Kenosha Coupe Hot Rod Magazine December 1958.

Brandy's Chariot

The Brandy's Chariot iteration of Block's Ford featured hand-formed headlights and taillights and a hand-made grill. The doors were shaved and electrically operated. The car's undercarriage was completely chromed and upholstered, and the body was covered with 30 coats of Swedish Mother of Pearl paint. The paint job took two months to complete. The upholstery was done in all white pleats, and it was dressed up with 14 K gold plated tools in the trunk. The complete engine compartment was also chromed, and the car was powered by a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette engine with fully chromed carburetors. The Mother of Pearl version of Brandy's Chariot was shown at the first annual National Champion Custom Car Show. At the show, the car took home the Special Rod Show Award. According to Wally Shatkus, Brandy was a St. Bernard dog, so Bill often displayed the car with a giant stuffed animal.

George Wild

In the early 1970s, the car was owned by George Wild.

Destroyed in a Shop Fire

Later on, the Golden Chariot was destroyed in a fire at John Finnegan's shop. Back then, the car was owned by Bill Balogh.

The Resurrection

In May of 2021 Wally Shatkus was the owner of the customized front fenders from Brandy's Chariot. Wally is a big fan of the historical custom car scene in the Chicago area. " I grew up near Trend Custom and as a grade-school boy the Trendero is the first kustom car I ever saw," Wally told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama. Wally bought the fenders back in 2005. He wants to rebuild the old custom, and he is currently looking for original parts of Brandy's Chariot that may still be around. Please get in touch with Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com if you have or know where any of the parts from the historic custom car is today.

Magazine Features

Hot Rod Magazine December 1958
Car Speed And Style February 1959
Custom Rodder January 1960
Car Craft April 1960
Custom Cars June 1960
Customs Illustrated September 1960
Rodding and Re-styling January 1961