Customs Kustom City invades the Starbird Show in Wichita

One of the bad things that I’ve noticed when I attend indoor car shows is the lack of
traditional style Kustoms. Usually you will see one or two but that’s all. We usually still
go to hang out with friends. This year in Wichita will be different because Doug Reed is
bringing Kustoms back to Wichita.

Doug called me a couple of week’s ago and invited me to bring the Merc up and show within
their Kustom city Display. While Doug was talking I was thinking “**** I don’t want to do
this” I hate showing cars inside. Then all of the sudden the kool factor kicked in and I realize
how kool it will be to show the Merc along side; Doug Reed’s “Toad”, Johnny Hammond’s ’58 Impala,
Mike Behrendt's ’60 Olds, plus seven other Kustoms. This is going to be an honor to be
parked along side such legendary kustom kats. I hadn’t shown the Merc at an inside car
show in years for a lot of reasons; it’s not indoor show condition (no interior, not done, etc.,)
and it’s a real h***le to show your car inside. But this year I’m going to have to make an
exception. Thanks Doug for thinking of me and including the Merc in the display.


Doug Reed’s Olds, I took this picture in Ark City, Ks in ’81


Johnny Hammond’s ‘58


Be sure to check it out,

January 18, 19 & 20, 2013,
Century II Convention Center, Wichita, Kansas.

The Merc will be the cleanest that it has ever been. LOL! Maybe....

Happy Trails, Mick

 

Mick. We are honered to have you show with us and help us to introduce todays auto enthusiast to the history of the kustom car movement..

 

Awesome! Congrats on the invite. that will be a fun weekend I'm sure!




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Should be a neat display. There is a lot of custom history in the Wichita area. Unless I am thinking of the wrong car, Mike Behrendt's Olds is a 1960. This one? (from carnut.com)

 

be sure to post lots of pics of show.

 

Thanks for the help, that is the car. For some reason I had '59 on the brain....

Happy Trails Mick

 

What are the other seven? Or is it top secret?

 

Mike Behrendt's 60 Olds has been totally redone. New paint and new interior. come and see it at the show.

 

I heard a rummor that Sonny LaRogs "Pearl of ShangRiLa" will be part of the group.

 

But will it be restored to it's former show car glory by then or shown in it's present state?

 

Sounds great! I think your car will fit in perfectly Mick. Wish I could go, but its my weekend to work. Have fun!

 

StrayKat, I am totally with you. I am a true traditional custom guy at heart. Right now customs are in the ebb portion of the ebb and flow cycle. Model A's are where its at right now and you see a lot of customs being put up for sale in order to purchase a hot rod or finance a hot rod build.

Most car shows you can count on one hand how many traditional customs are shown. Most customs are street rods with custom like accessories that muddy up their iden***y.

I am on your side hoping one day that traditional customs will re-emerge on the car show circuit. I am not just hoping its the famous builds but the back yard or garage builders as well.


Fryguy

 

Kan't wait, will be a great time by all to get all those Kustoms together

 

Fully restored.. Yah it will be fully restored back to its kustom glory. I cant wait....

Weaver's chopped '54 chevy, Yblock292's (aka Jack) purrdy '51 Ford, Roy Boys Wild Galaxie
Rocky Burris fin'd up pick upare the only ones that I remember. Maybe Doug can add to
the list.

Thanks Tim. I bet ya need to go to the Dr. that weekend in Wichita. They have spe******t
that can help ya out. Let me know and I'll write the note.

Kool to see that others are thinking like myself. I'm ready for the next go around. Although
it is kool when we're the only one at the show. They're is no question who is the koolest at
that show. LOL!!

I agree with you, Street Rods and Kustoms don't mix. I can't believe they are still trying to
make it work.

You can fit the whole family in a kustom and usually good over the road cars. I drove my
Chopped Merc everyday for years and I miss not doing it today. Soon I'll have my 1960
Impala back on the road and she will be my daily driver unless the wife takes it away from me.

Happy Trails, Mick

 

PURRRDY ............ Isn't that the same as when someone calls your ride "cute"?

 

Don't worry, No one will call you cute.... Your car is kool hope to see it tomorrow.

 

Straycat,good for you ! The show will be that much better with your cars there.

 

Shes coming along great, Aaron and Chris are doing a fantastic job on her, we seem to be on track for the 17th.

 

After a long discussion with Aaron, Fast Al's interior and Chris, Chaotic Customs, we have decided not to make the wichita show. The guys have been busting *** on this build and feeling we could possible jeopardize the quality of work these guys do by trying to make the 17th. I felt it would be better to let the interior be completed at Aarons shop in dewey, before taking her back to chris's. We were looking at having to have Aaron come to Chris's to complete the interior while chris's guys were getting the front clip and bumpers on, plus with a stop at tonys shop in Winfield to get he windshield and backgl*** installed. We have worked way to hard on this build to "short cut" anything just to get to the starbird / devlin show. Current plans are World of Wheels in Kansas City for debut.
Thanks, Jack

 

I know everyone worked hard to try to get ya there but you made the right decision. your
going to own one of the koolest Kustoms around and I would hate to see it rushed just for a
car show. Your gonna want to do it right the first time knowing this should give you peace
with your decesion. I hate to see a deadline ruin your joy with the build.

It's going to be a blast cruising the kustoms with ya.

Happy trails, Mick

 

How can you not have some "REAL" Kustoms in Witchita @ Starbirds??? Seems like it should be more the norm rather than the exception. What about those Beatnick fellas? don't they have a couple they could throw in there too?

 

YES we do , we have many we could put in, only problem is we are leaving for gnrs sunday morn and don't really have anyone who wants or would like to be responsible for getting our cars out and home an hour away at midnight, and usually in snow or ice, so we will have to p*** this year, sorry., I would love to take my caddy, galaxie and maybe my stude, one day i am going to enter every car I have, but what a pain that will be.....

 

Mick, thanks for the kind words and support, yes this summer is gonna be a blast!

 

It would be great to have nothing but customs. Jack, I'll get to see your new ride in KC. Looking forward to it. Will you be in Jack Walker's group or by yourself?
Later,
****

 

Hey ****, really not sure yet, working out the details, but will be fun!
Thanks, Jack

 

["Thanks Tim. I bet ya need to go to the Dr. that weekend in Wichita. They have spe******t
that can help ya out. Let me know and I'll write the note."]

Hmmmmm.....There's a thought! Are you role playing again Mick???

 

I'm honored to be allowed to be a part of the Kustom City display. I'm headed out in a bit to snap some photos of the Galaxie's new paint job done by Finkd (Jeff Myers of Premier Body & Paint in Arkansas City, KS). Here's a teaser cell phone pic.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^I like it Travis.

I won't be a part of the custom display but I will have the 40 Chevy there.

 

Thanks, see ya there!

 

Travis ,Jeff did you a great job ,Looks nice.
How was the ribs at Newkirk? I was out of town or I would have been there eating ribs also.