History TRJ#53 Customs Then & Now coverage... thank you TRJ

It has almost been a year since the GNRS Customs Then & Now event was held in Pomona, California.
Together with Jeff Nepple, Luke Karosi, Axle and John Buck we had organized this once in a live time Custom Car experience. An event that was an extreme pleasure to help put together, being there was just an incredible experience, with all the historical important Custom Cars, and the people that restored them, owned them, or admired them. A lot of friendships where made with people from all over the world. ANd a lot of new input concerning the history of some of the cars on display was reviled. All in all I think this was the best ever Custom Car related show I had ever seen. But perhaps I'm a little biased.

In the month after the show there have been several magazines that featured the GNRS, and especially the Customs Then & Now event. Hot Rod magazine, Rod & Custom, Street Rodder magazine, Kustoms Illustrated even did a three part article on it, and now we have the mother of all Hot Rod & Custom Car magazines The Rodder's Journal that did a feature on the show.
And I think I can speak for everybody involved in this show… Thank you Rodder's Journal for a very nice article, and especially Steve ****an and Geoff Miles for the really excellent Photos of the cars at the show.

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My only "complaint" would be that there had to be made a choice which cars to publish since there was not enough space to cover all the 80+ cars in attendance. But in the article it was mentioned all the cars where photographed. So Hopefully - and yes this is a hint - there will be a part two, or perhaps better book kind of publication of the show. Perhaps one with historical photos and other material along side with Steve's fantastic photos.

Steve ****an's photos where all taken in the middle of the night when there was nobody else around. SO the show looks kind of cold and empty. So I would very much like to show this photo taken on the Friday afternoon with the building filled with Custom Car enthusiast from all over the whorl enjoying the cars on display.

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I made a special trip to that show just to see the Customs Then And Now exhibit and spent almost the entire weekend in that one hall. It was well worth it.

Can't wait to receive my copy of Rodders Journal so I can relive it a little bit again.

 

Yes this was an amazing highlight to last years GNRS. Thanks to Rick, Axle, and the others for thier hard work. Luckily I somewhat stumbled upon the table with everybody setting up for signatures. I waited an hour or so more for them to get started. Bought my second copy of Pat Ganahl's book, The American Custom Car, just to have all the Kustom car icons sign it. Met lot's of guys that I would have never imagined I would meet. The famous guys, we meet a lot, but to have the car owners sign next to thier cars like Frank Livingston (Next to his Bailon built Fastback Chevy), Johnny Zaro (Barris built 40 Merc), Arthur Bentas (The Raven), **** Jackson (next to his 57 Ford), and Lee Pratt (41 Buick). The famous guys signed it too.... Jeffries, Conway, Barris, Stanford, Winfield, Hines, Masterson, Hollenbeck, Blackie Gegeian, Rod Powell, and Ganahl. Hey and I even missed some of the guys in the line. Amazing to meet this many people at one time. I wish I would have had Rick Hoving sign it too, maybe next time. They even had some of the photo's from the walls from Watson's museum there. Check out Evel's MFS 6 coverage too.

Thanks again guys, it was truly appreciated.

Clark

 

My son and I travelled from Australia to see this display, and the rest of the show.
I agree with Rik on the quality of the photos and the article, but it makes this display look cold and lifeless. We were blown away at the cars on display and the amount of people who had travelled from all over America and from around the world to see these cars. For me personally, I was able to catch up with old friends and meet so many others with the same interests. As well as being able to meet and speak with so many of the owners and builders of these great cars. Taking into account there ages and the distances some had bought their cars so we could see them.
I would have liked to have seen a more personal story on the cars, there owners/builders and how they attracted thousands of people from around the world to be able to see possibly the greatest collections of customs of all time in one place.
I know I will never have this oppertunity again in my life, and am so glad we were there.

 

First off, a heart felt thank you to you, Jeff Nepple, Luke Karosi, Axle and John Buck for pulling together such an awesome show and array of customs. If it wasn't for your efforts, there wouldn't have been anything for us to see, or Steve and Geoff to shoot pictures of.

You guys pulled off a show that will never be duplicated, or topped for that matter. I was fortunate enough to make the trip west for the show and get to meet up with many old and new friends, I will never forget it.

Steve and Geoff did an awesome job covering the show and catching the flavor of everything going on...but then again, I wouldn't expect anything different from those guys!
Issue # 53 is the best yet!!

 

Being able to attend this particular GNRS was a once in a lifetime experience for me and those that made the pilgrimage with me. Having Lannie Erickson with us opened doors and introduced us to legends on a first name basis. Was great to visit with you RIK also. Thanks for your preservation of our custom car heritage. BUCKD

 

I was very fortunate to make it to this show. Meeting Rikster and a long list of car guys from all over the world will stick with me forever. 100% Killer.
Slim

 

Rik, you, Jeff, Axle and John put together a show that will be talked about and remembered as long as customs continue to be of interest. I can't imagine something like this will ever be repeated (but I'm up for another try! ) and am glad I was able to make the trip over to see it. This show and the Merc Gathering in Sacramento are two high water marks in my book. Thanks guys for all the effort and sleepless nights putting together something so difficult for all the rest of us to enjoy!

 

The one and only event that was SO AWESOME that it could get me to voluntarily travel to LA (ok Pomona, but everything south of Bakersfield and north of mexico is LA as far as I'm concerned).

 

Rik, I was going to start this thread but being so busy I didn't get around to it, so thanks for doing this.

Thanks to Steve ****an and Geoff Miles for making the trip down to L.A. and participating in last years GNRS. We knew how swamped you both were , but after we explained what it was we were doing in the "Special Theme" building we're glad it sparked serious interest.

Many nights were spent taking down rope, stancions, and displays next to each car in order for ****an to get the "right" shots. I think one night I was up til 2 in the morning - til the eyes and legs gave out, and I couldn't think straight.

The magnitude of the History of Customs display "Then & Now" is evident when people are still talking about it a year later, and this amazing Rodders Journal article bursts out after the dust has settled with all other magazines.

Once again, A special thanks to John Buck for allowing this to happen in the first place, Rik Hoving, Jeff Neppl , Luke Karosi, and Dennis O'Brien. Without you guys it wouldn't of been possible . The event of a lifetime . Something that will never happen again !

Axle

 

Im still buzzing from "Customs Then and Now"

You could just stand in the middle, and try to absorb what is before you.
It was Breathtaking!

Thanks to all those that made it happen, and to the magazines that keeps it fresh.

 

This show was the most important gathering in history. Seeing all those Customs
in one place was mind blowing. The historical significance of the event is the new
high water mark. It will be almost impossible to top!

 

Where do I start? That show was by far the best one I have ever been to. It was an extra privledge to have my car in the Suede Palace. There wasnt enough time to take enough pics (even though I took over 200), talk to the owners of all the original Kustoms and visit with old friends. I was fortunate to meet some of the founders of Kustomizing and picked up my pre-ordered Then and Now Plaque from O'Brien Truckers. For many of us that may be the only time we see so many of these original builds at one event. Thanks to all who put on GNRS and Alex and Celeste Idzardi for the Suede Palace. Cant wait to go at the end of the month. I am close to being done with the EMPERORS car club pick trophy. Look for a thread soon showing the start to finish.

 

Well said !

 

Well I think this picture really say's it all and this was the first couple of hours after it opened on friday.It is crazy that it has been close to a year and I cant get over how quick this year has gone.This was one of the highlights of my life to be apart of this show but also just to be able to go to this building anytime during the weekend.I miss the stress that we were all going thru this time last year.It was great to just know that in many different places in the world there was no denying that we were about to witness something great.

I want to thank TRJ for featuring this show I really enjoyed the article and also want to thank Curt for writing the article.Also a huge thank you to TRJ for the picture of my Mercury,I was very thankful for that and still am especially considering the cars that were in there.I know I am no Hamb Superstar so my picture hasn't been talked about but I had to say thank you.

Rik thanks for doing this thread it's great like all of your other ones.It's so good to hear that people are still talking about the show after all this time.For those who didn't say a word about it..........well I guess the show left you speechless.

 

A hearty thanks to Rik, Jeff, Axle, Dennis, Luke and John Buck for making this amazing room happen. I was honored to have my '41 Merc a****st the many of the most significant customs ever built. It was an unbelievable site. The layout could not have been more perfect. Period Perfect!! Having the Vince Subias Black Beauty parked next to the Snooky Janich '41 Ford and behind John Joyo's incredible barn find '36 was like livin' the dream. Thanks again for including me and letting people experience a once in a lifetime feeling and moment in time. It was just incredible.

 

The Customs then and Now building was a dream come true for me, and this display did alot to promote traditional customs, One of my mentors , Mr. allen, would tell me storys aboat his 39 convertible that he would drive to Van Nuys high school in the late forty's, a mild custom, it had 37 desoto bumpers, shirts, flipper hubcaps, and of co****, a pair of appleton spot lights, the first thing he did was lower the car in the rear by heating the rear spring and installing 41 rear shacles, he told me the car handled terrible around corners but he said it did'nt matter, " back then , it was aboat having the look" I could still see his enthusiasum when he talk's aboat the car, his dad sold his car when he went to the Korean war, but he still proadly owns the appelton's that were on it. Like him and others, The Customs then and Now building took them back in time and let them relive that special moment when customs were born, and served as insiration to the rest of us to build a traditional custom, I know it has for me , I am currently building a 36 3 window traditional custom.
No one has done more to promote Traditional customs than Rik Hoving, I am fortunenet to have him as a friend on Face book, every morning he posts pictures of historic customs and gives me something to look foward to, everytime I turn on my computure, Many thanks to him, Axle,John Buck and all involved in doing that display at the Grand National Roadster Show, your hard work and dedication will not be forgoten by me and many others.

 

Well, I knew I should have asked for a subscription for Christmas. I guess I'll have to call the Barnes & Noble 65 miles away from the house to see if it's on the rack yet.

 

The"Customs Now & Then" show was on of the best experiences I had,next to the Merc Gathering.Maybe it was better?It was an honor to be included with all these great cars,some of which I only seen or read about in books or magazines.It reminded me of looking at the car shows in the little books and stepping back in time.It will be a memory I will always cherish.Thank you Rik,Jeff,Axle,Luke,Dennis & John Buck

 

Try and get a decent picture with that crowd in the way!

 

The more I think about this , a part 2 article (or special edition book) would be nice.

 

I spotted a couple friends of mine in that crowd photo. Love that when it happens since us Wyoming boys don't get out much.

 

A truly fantastic show that I (along with thousands of others) regret not having been able to attend. I shall however hunt down a copy of TRJ 53 specifically to absorb as much more as I can of this "once in history" event.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=554994&highlight=gnrs+11

 

It was definitely one of the best shows I've been to, and certainly the best collection of interesting cars ever ***embled.

I had a GREAT time at the show...too bad this years show is gonna be nothing special.

 

Thinking about HAMB coverage of this event, I just went back to Buick59's excellent thread:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=554994&highlight=gnrs+11

This mobile phone footage by Stutz of various cars driving out (including the Hirohata Merc) is fantastic:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6176310&postcount=189
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6176381&postcount=191

 

Thanks autobilly for that movie link... brought back many great memories.

 

Thanks for the cool video,I wish I could do it all again.

 

Rik,

You, Axle, and Jeff will go down in history for pulling the room off. Hats off to you for the banners and everything in between! Love to work with you guys again!

John Buck

 

Are you kidding me? EVERY GNRS is something special! The Customs Then and Now just happened to be truly spectacular...

 

On second thought...nevermind.

My intent in the original post was to praise the special exhibit from last years show. My thoughts on GNRS / indoor car shows are otherwise irrelevant.

Thanks.