Folks Of Interest Andy Southard, Jr.

Great stuff Chief, man what a nice little insight to a super individual. The classy classics hero!! ~Sololobo~

 

It's an honor to read this.
Thank you.

 

I have all of his books and they are without a doubt the best books ever for era hot Rod reference mostly because the photos are in color. I have been toting around Andy's "Hot Rods of the 1950's" book for many years gathering up some wonderful autograghs.

 

Ryan,
Thank you for posting this! Andy is a ruler and a huge influence on me! Great interview!

Spike

 

I have almost all of his books and never get tired of looking at them.

 

I also like that idea...
Many of the great builders, of the time, are in those books.

 

I bought Andy's two 1950's books years back and was amazed at how he brought the 50's hot rod scene to life in color..........up until then I thought all the cars were black and white

I'd love to see more pics of his one-tone dark green 56 Victoria he bought new if anyone has some.

Hey Ryan, time to crank up TJJ Hall of Fame.

 

Here's it is in RODDING & RESTYLING MAY 1957

 

Wow . Thanks Rod, you just blew me away!

 

Wow, great interview. Very interesting. I love that 1958 Impala.

 

This man is a Living Legend. I treasure my Customs of the 50's and Hot Rods of the 50's books. I sure hope Andy decides to do more Books.

 

Andy is a true legend, and one of my heroes. I grew up looking over his images, but had put him in the back of my mind till sean vesely (another hero r.i.p) kept hounding me to come by his shop and go through alot of his old collection that featured Andy's work.

I never made it to Seans to go through his collection before he passed, but it made me start going back through alot of Andys work.

I mention his name to alot of the new shooters when they ask who my influences are, and all I ever get back is blank stares.
Usually about a week later I get thanks for turning them onto a great talent whos work they had seen, but never had a name to go with the work.

Thanks Ryan for posting this hopefully when I am 80 someone will think I was a decent dude, and post the same thing thats all I could hope for

 

Hey Ryan,

Every once in a while you publish something that makes the world spin slower. I noticed my breathing almost stopped and my pulse was noticeable. That's good stuff. (sorry fellas, I get kinda fufu sometimes)

Andy said he has work for sale. Care to share contact info? Does he market that anywhere?

Muchas gracias!

 

Thanks for making this happen, Ryan and Rod - great stuff.
Got to meet Andy briefly at the 50th GNRS - it was a big moment for me.
His first magazine story came out the year I was born ('56), so he's been hanging around my life from the start. I'm really grateful for that.
Thanks Andy, for the education, inspiration and entertainment!
Scotty

 

I still look through my Southard books on a regular basis...like Royalshifter said, they are one of the greatest references you can have.

And if I'm not mistaken, Andy had a really bitchin' '28 or '29 Phaeton...full fendered, black (or a really dark color) with Bay Area style outline striping, '50 Merc wheels and caps...I want to build one like it someday.

 

Great interview!When the last thread on Andy was posted I decided to present him with one of my wooden striping brushes as a token of my appreciation for his inspiration in my striping career.

I received in the mail a great 8 page letter(handwritten)and some fantastic photos he took over the years as well as a couple of DVDs of his work.A true craftsman and a great purveyor of the striping craft. Thanks again Andy!

Ray Smith

 

Does any one have any pics of his phaeton?
Michael

 

Thanks guys, Andy's books do it for me. Great reference.

 

Hot rods of the 50s is one of my favorite books, hell all of his books rock!

 

Great interview! Andy's photobooks rule.

Another book with car+girl photographs from the archives (like on that wall in the last picture) would be sooooo bitchin'...

 

Mr. Southard is a HAMBer ... just click HERE to PM or e-mail him.

Last we talked, Andy said that he still had copies of 3 of his 5 books in stock ... better hurry though ... 'cuz once they're gone, they're gone (he doubts Motorbooks International will reprint them again) ... He also sells DVDs and photo reprints.

 

Here's one of Andy with his '28 Phaeton and his '29 Roadster. The picture was taken in 1965.
RodP

 

RodP? Hmmmm... This place is getting a bit famous.

 

Andy's archive and list of accomplishments are staggering.

On a similar note, I have been trying to locate the Robert Hegge archive. He was the St. Louis-based photog who covered the Midwest scene in the 50's-70's. Iv'e heard that his nephew in LA has it, but I have been unable to locate him. I would like to locate Grier Lowry's work too. He was based in Independence, MO and was widely published during the same period.

 

Love his books.

 

Thank You Misters Southard, Powell And Cochran, interesting interview.

 

Since I have almost all of the rod magazines that I've bought since the late 50's I have many articles (with pictures) that were influenced by Andy.
As I go through them occasionally, looking for specific information, his work pops up on a regular basis. I have just never bought any of his books. This will be corrected shortly as I'm now on a quest for Southard titles for my library.

Frank