your opinion-who's the Greastest Kustom Car contributor?

Rod Powell and Butch have done some really nice work

 

wow, back from the dead.

 

(Noting that six years have p***ed since this thread originally ran): a**** HAMBers, I think Rik Hoving is clearly the Keeper of the Flame.

 

Well said SAM, he was barris kustoms.

Buzz

 

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<<<<<<<<<<<< The guy that drives that

Jay Johnston

Larry watson

Carl Green

Sam Barris

Ayala bros.

Alex Gambino

The list goes on.. Couldn't choose just one if i had to.

 

WTF? A+A Auto Body, North Bergen N.J. under the stewartship od Tony Romano.....cmon!

 

Gene Winfield, partially due to his body of work, and partially due to his longevity in the business.

 

My pops of co****.he has always been my biggest inspiration

 

Gene Winfield, of course. At 82, he still puts in 12 hour days. He is a pioneer of hot rodding and salt flats racing. He is still racing today at El Mirage and Bonneville. His artistic customizing ideas and innovative blended painting technique changed the face of custom cars forever. He is one of the nicest and friendliest individuals in the business and is glad to p*** on his painting and metal working experience to others, all over the world.

 

If I were to have a custom built, and could choose a builder, it would have been Bill Cushenbery. Having said that,the guy who designed the El Matador on a napkin for Bill would be in that dream. I think Don Varner was his name , but I can't remember. I always get him confused with someone else with a similar name.
For pure craftmanship, Bill Hines and Valley Custom.

 

****ie Korkes...Korkes Kustoms North Jersey

 

Hey you guys are the EXPERTS. Rikster keeps the flame going for all to learn from.

But for me its the GUYS from jersey on the HAMB.

CHOPMERC, chopolds, choppermatt, fatty mcguire, Fifty5C-Gas, Kustom7777, merc-o-madness, shfifty five, teddyp, thesupersized,

oh yeah one other guy, see photo...

 

If it were not for the likes of Dean Batchelor, Ralph Poole and the rest of those that told the story of the work of Barris , Valley Customs and all the others. How many of us would have known about them ?

They definately need to be recognized at the " Top of the List "

 

I think this forum is incomplete without a few guys from recent times like Oz Welch, Cole Foster and Brad Masterson.

 

My votes for Plowboy on here......Very up to date & Fresh too.......don't know the guy personally.......but the works incredible and I was very Very impressed with the Blue chevy truck I got to see up close.
Carl Hagan

 

Has to be Mattel Hot wheels!!

 

Jeff, bro, I'm right there with you. Rod Powell does some amazing work.
Biased opinion? mmmmaybe.

Better add Cole Foster the that list.

 

Harry Westergard

 

In no particular order

Alex Gambino
Plowboy (Aaron Grote is it?)
Javier Mejia/Carlos Wright
Roger/Marie O' Dell

 

If there ever was a doubt, in the 6 years since this thread started Gene Winfield has dominated due to how he not only continues to build, but spreads the kustom gospel thru his teachings.

A lot of legends have inspired. But teaching is on a higher level of value.

 

ME, sure we have our influences but,
You forgot to mention yourselves, the guys holding the flame building cool stuff in ya own backyard on meager expence and loads of enthusiasm.

 

To get the Kustom movement rolling again would be George Lucas of American Graffiti that had the 58 Chevy and the Chopped Merc in the film. Then Jerry ***us who started the Merc Duce Reunion along with the Kustom Kemps of America. And last but not least--Rich and Penny of the West Coast Kustoms.

 

How about little John ****era

 

Anybody who has skinned a knuckle ,burnt a arm , sneezed bondo dust choked on paint fumes and grinned a grin only a man can who has built his own car .

 

All of the above have been instrumental in developing the looks that we love, but our own RIKSTER has done more to keep the movement alive than anyone currently alive and traveling in our circles.