Cal Custom info wanted

Hi,
I'm intertested in learning about the Cal Custom company, what happened to it, anyway? Does anyone know the history of that company? I know they're long gone, any idea what happned to the tooling? Who started the company, what was their first product? Are there any clubs for collectors of Cal Custom or other early custom accessories?
Highest on my want list is a pair of Cal Custom #40-40 chrome scoops, anybody know where I can get a pair?
I'm searching eBay all the time, not found a nice set yet.
Any help or advise appreciated. Thanks!

 

Seems like Mr Gasket swooped them up, brains a little fuzzy though.

 

Thanks buddy, I was thinking more HAMB'ers would know about Cal Custom.
You's was the only input, I do appreciate it though.
Take care!

 

I would like to know more also. Seems to be enough intrest in their parts!-MIKE

 

I knew I had seen an article about the Cal Custom story, I just had to dig into my magazines and books to find it. It took me awhile, but here's what I found out.


It all started in 1919 when a man named Joseph Kraus opened up an auto parts store in L.A. called Eastern Auto. It was named Eastern to rival the Western Auto parts stores in the area. He basically sold parts to keep people's cars running, especially through the rough depression and War years. In about 1940, business started to improve, so Joseph decided to start marketing affordable, do-it-yourself bolt on dress-up items. Up until then, most parts had been stock replacement items. There was no aftermarket parts available to speak of at that time. He had alot of customers that wanted neat add on parts, but none were available. At first he had simple bolt on stuff like voltage regulator covers, suicide knobs, curb feelers, etc., but then he decided to start producing custom body panels. At that time, body shops, let alone custom body shops were far and few in between, and few people had the money to pay for custom work when they found a shop. Kraus started with solid hood sides for '32-36 Fords, then smooth trunk lids, smooth hood ornaments (later called a "bullnose"), as well as long shackles and lowering blocks. After the War, alot of people wanted to dress up their cars that had little chrome due to the war effort. One of the best sellers was a chrome dash panel for '42-'48 Fords. In 1949, Eastern Auto celebrated their 30th Anniversary, and decided to put out a catalog loaded with aftermarket parts. Shaved door handle kits, hubcaps, skirts, etc., as well as a large selection of speed equipment to trick out inlines and flatheads. The introduction of the first "new" bodies since before WWII helped business pick up as well. Business was going so good that in late 1957, the Eastern Auto ads were taken out of magazines. This was due to a decision to drop the retail operation and concentrate on product development under a new name: California Custom Accessories Manufacturing Company. By the end of the 50s, their line included many parts that are now classics such as aftermarket Caddy bullets, dummy spots, Kandy Apple spray bombs, wheel spiders and baby moons. They were always on the lookout for new stuff, and they even bought the rights to teardrop dash knobs from Bob Hirohata, and possibly some rights to parts designed and produced by Barris. It was a great time for kool aftermarket parts. Their manufacturing operation was always on a small scale, usually farming out their designed products to local shops for production. This helped keep production costs down, and leave more money for the development of new products. In 1969, Cal Custom, Hollywood Accessories, Matco Products and Hanson Instruments merged to become a new corporation named Orion Industries, then three years later, the Cal Custom and Hansen Hawk division were consolidated. Before the end of 1972 Cal Custom/Hawk had also absorbed the high performance line of Segal Automotive Products. Then, around the early 80s, Mr. Gasket bought it and started putting the Mr. Gasket name on all their products. Lately I've noticed the Mr. Gasket logos on alot of parts is starting to disappear and the APC (American Parts Company) label is on alot of parts, so I'm assuming it has been bought out again. They seem to be concentrating on "Fast and Furious" style parts for Hondas and such. Now, I'm sure none of these parts are made here in the states. It is probably all made in China or Taiwan. They will only manufacture popular parts that will sell, so, if they had the tooling for the old neat stuff (which I highly doubt), the low demand for them would not make it worth their while to start re-producing them.

I've never heard about any clubs or anything like that for Cal Custom stuff. The best collection in the world has to be the stash that HAMBers have. I have had just about every Cal Custom doodad at one time or another, and have sold some to guys here on the board. (Alot of the parts I've sold I've regretted, but what can you do?) BUT, due to the fact that everyone nowadays seems to know about every Cal Custom accessory that had been forgotten about until recently, collecting is becoming hard because the prices on everything is getting sky high. Spider caps and trim rings used to be fairly cheap and easy to find, but now, you can't touch 'em. Same with finned voltage regulator covers, horn relay covers, and so on. It's hard to buy stuff to save for a project that you don't even own yet when the prices are high. If by chance you do get a great deal on some kool old Cal Custom gold, you better hold on to it, because it's all getting hard to find and spendy. Ebay is still the best place to get it, and you can get a good buy every now and then, but alot of the time you'll end up in a bidding shoot out. Swapmeets can be good too, but lately I haven't had much luck.

Anyway, good luck on your search. I'm sorry this turned out to be so long, but I hope it gives everyone a little insight into the Cal Custom story..........E

 

Man, thanks for the great explanation.-MIKE

 

Does anybody know where the article on Cal Customs is? Which magazine year & month? Does anybody know if Cal Customs made continental kits?

 

Thanks for the story . I have skinny ribbed valve covers on my sedan , and wide ribbed stagered holes on my coupe ! The skinny ribbed ones , say Gardenia Cal. inside . Dang there COOL !!!!!!!!

 

Help please ! Trying to know the period in which the scoop (pic below) was made/sold by Cal Custom ?

 

That's a later cal custom piece, I'd say right about 1970.

 

Sounds great, thanks ! I'd like to install it in a car, rodded in the late 60s.

 

I think my valve covers are Cal Custom. I looked over 3 states to get them.

 

There are a few ads posted on this collectibles data base website:
https://www.hobbydb.com/subjects/california-custom-accessories-mfg-co-cal-custom-hawk-retailer
This would be a good place to add photos and information to make it more complete and available.

 

Try a HAMB search on Cal Custom as I remember that the grand daughter of the founder posted some info several years ago

 

You sure know your way around on this site, like ABC...or 123 I have not seen it on the page and also do not feel that I have valuable information to upload. But if I come-up with some, I will. Tks ! I also came across this below !...another great piece crying-out loud 1960s !!! Got an old one, will have it re-chromed. Now must find some kind of filter (other than melting foam)

 

Seems like Cal Custom was always everywhere. Is kinda weird you don't see more about it.

 

Does anyone know what year the logo on the valve covers changed from the one with the large "C" to "CALCUSTOM"?

 

I saw some new in the package cal-custom BBF and Boss 429 gasket pkgs, makes sense now that Mr. gasket took them over. Lippy

 

I have a Cal Custom Silicone Wire Set, in Orange, unopened.

 

did cal custom ever make a center console ???????

 

Not too many years ago, I bought some new Chineasium finned valve covers that were advertised as Cal Customs. From Speedway, I believe.

Gary

 

They made a cast aluminum "tray" console for the Mustang. I had one Eons ago....

 

A cool piece from my stash, with the original box.