History Custom Car History: Wild Child's

Ray Erickson · Apr 25, 2008

choprods said: ↑

Is he still with us Grim,or have I missed the opportunity to meet him?
Lookin forward to more of his art/life eperience. THANK you.

Since you are from KC- do you recognize this fellow?
I am to his right -he is wearing the white shirt?
Click to expand...

THIS IS "EMMIT GRAHAM" He is a member of the "MISFITS" CAR CLUB..

Ray Erickson · Apr 30, 2008

grim said: ↑

Hmm I wonder.. Check out this picture I ran across, I thought it might have been a paintroom in the shop. Was this picture taken of him at Lockwoods, does it look familiar?

Also an interesting twist I think you'll like.. If you notice, on the dash of whistle bait, there is a string of pearls.. This car was evidently driven by the pretty young female companion of Erickson's.. I've heard numerous accounts of her strolling alone out of the corner grocery to put food in the car and drive away with all the boys in viewing radiuses hearts. (Note the name: "whistle bait") Heard the story from a few old rodders that happened catch "the disease," and heart palpitations, lusting over a lovely lady in a custom 52 - while at work at a small grocery..-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------... -Hi!" Ray Erickson 'here--I have been Married to that lovely Lady 57 years-- We are still going strong.-----

With that said I think this is a perfect place to leave off for the night - To be continued... Stay tuned
Click to expand...

------

Ray Erickson · May 7, 2008

grim said: ↑

Custom Car History: Wild Child's

Wild Child's Custom Shop was owned and operated by artist James Greene of Kansas City Missouri. Along with his career as a custom designer, Greene held a professorship at Kansas Citys Art Institute. It was there with the help of Playboy Magazine that Greene started the automotive furniture movement of the 1980s.
In addition in cycle history, Wild Childs has been credited as the originator of what is now known as the modern chopper motorcycle design. Greene invented what became known as the narrowed springer front end (later produced/sold by friend Ed Roth) and heavy rake, along with many other features attributed to the swagger that now encompasses the definition.
Interestingly the Emerald Mist, one of many examples of Wild Childs customs, has been recently returned to the show arena by John DAgostino. Further than his own designs, Greene also took part in the constructions of many known elegant show pieces. In this series of collections you will be getting the first look at an astonishing amount of never before seen build photographs. From Greenes Cycles, Customs, Furniture, and arts. To fun with his friends, including Ed Roth, Ray Fharner, Bill Cushenbery, Evil Knievel and many more - let the games begin.

My gift to you.. Thank you to everyone who takes such valuable time to provide the wealth of information that is the H.A.M.B.

______________________________________________________________________

In the early days Greene began as many others did of the era - with what was affordable toward the end of The Depression. Pictured here are photos of Greenes first chopped top. Taken behind a poor Kansas City neighborhood gas station Greene proceeded to rebuild this once severe wreck into a mild rod. Buying a torch set on faith payments, Greene proceeded to customize this 32, welding and forming with used coat hangers.

With the only chop around over the next few years Jimmy began to make attention, and money, doing small modifications on the vehicles of peers. It wasnt long before complicated requests arose. So with a small wooden pattern he made, along with a small saw, files, hammers and the like. Greene began to hand form louvers in the alley behind his house.

Though peers were short on money as time passed the alley provided a few other tricks too..

Then, finding a small empty garage proved to pass the quiet time well.

(Im guessing the business coupe look taking shape below)

He gets a newer chopped shoebox on the street and it happens again - more friends want more..

Friends builds emerged - this one pictured was owned by Ray Erickson President of the Kansas City Timing Assoc. Im told. Some of you may remember the 50s feature Whistle Bait?? At some point this car was wrecked and Jimmy got his hands on doing a bunch of mods.-------??????????????????--Hi! RAY ERICKSON HERE----- What were the "mods' That Jimmy did on my 52 --The pictures showing here are as I built it back then-These pictures have no ---changes!!!!!!!!!!!

(Jimmy Pictured here at Liberty Memorial - Kansas City December 1956)

(Note the rear window straps: When a window cracks a poor kid has to get by right?)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm getting tired, sorry guys.. I'll continue here where I left off after I get some rest. (stay tuned - to be continued)
Click to expand...

----------------

Ray Erickson · May 10, 2008

grim said: ↑

As I continue I really feel drawn to address this 52s "non- traditional" laid back windshield again with all the young guns seeking to learn on here. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HI! RAY ERICKSON here-------------ACTUALLY ,I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER CHOP WITH LAYED BACK WINDSHIELD -OTHER THAN MY 52 COUPE----THEIR MAY HAVE BEEN- BUT -IF THEIR IS--I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT---------I KEPT THE ROOF FULL LENGTH-WHICH MADE A VISORED ROOF- WHICH HAD TO BE FILLED ON BOTTOM SIDE OF ROOF Lip.--THEN ON THE BOTTOM FRONT OF GLASS-REQUIRED MAKING A PIECE TO MATCH THE RISE OF THE CURVE AS THE FRONT CENTER OF THE GLASS CAME UP -AS IT LAYED BACK----IT WASN'T EASY---BUT IT DID LOOK REAL NICE--NO CUTTING OF WINDSHIELD AT ALL I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THIS POINT--I HOPE NO ONE MINDS ME BRINGING THIS UP-- Sincerely," RADICAL RAY ERICKSON'

I think with customs, "Traditions" are looked for because definitions and systems are how you learn opposed to taking apart big pictures
[OPTIONAL - A brief History - education: In the long lost past, Dewey designed America's current public school system, its mission was to breed a better factory worker. Its new boxy look, break bells, etc?.. You were taught to learn systems through production style teaching instead of a big picture - for productivity in learning work environment tasks. Now that you understand yourself, let me fill in the gap of your system so you can understand the look of the old days. But from here on out fight it, your not a machine, you deserve better. (PeeWee's word for the day - Vigilance)]

In the beginning most all modifications were actually influenced by friendship.. Most people don't know this, but most all of these now famous legends knew one another. Many sent letters back and forth as friends, trading ideas, sharing processes and thoughts as non-competing artists looking for influence. (I'll try and attach a few of these letters I've acquired over the years.) The biggest tradition was availability.. Certain cars were used as customs because they were common to customers (being friends of yours etc), and figured out by everyone/shared. The only reason many off brand cars weren't used is because it was a short span of time for the few building minds to give examples.. Time moves fast, for example from 1955 to 1960? Compare 2002 to 2007? There isn't enough time to do every model of car, believe me if they could have they would... So try and see the old days as being creative with what was possible with the tools/materials of the time span your choosing. Plus a bit of style influence from these old friends without boundaries. Hope that helps a bit..

Take note later in this section on how I hint at customer psychology - shop owners may relate to what I'm about to say.. In my experience and those I know, if you build one "Honda Civic", most customers wont see you can customize cars, they will see you can build Honda Civics.. So, they bring you Honda Civics to build... Its really kind of interesting that people can't understand past an example. But keep in mind you have traditionally repeated model years because most customers only brought builders what they built examples of. (Example: count how many different shoebox Fords are in Greene's photos above, I left a bunch of each model you see out of this post to not bore you) How does that effect you on tradition, and your choice on customs?

(I hope that personal experience provokes some positive brainstorming

Greene on Left with childhood friend David Stephens of the Radicals car club.

Jimmy quickly got Stephens hooked with mods to his 55 convertable and soon came a new 55.. (seen with Jimmy is a young boy named German about to catch the "disease")

(note: the rear window of the 55 has much of the same flavor of the windshield on whistle bait)

Click to expand...

oooooooooooooooooooo

Doc Squat · May 12, 2008

I'm speechless. I use to live in KC at Westport and Clark.

Ray Erickson · May 12, 2008

grim said: ↑

Custom Car History: Wild Child's

Wild Child's Custom Shop was owned and operated by artist James Greene of Kansas City Missouri. Along with his career as a custom designer, Greene held a professorship at Kansas Citys Art Institute. It was there with the help of Playboy Magazine that Greene started the automotive furniture movement of the 1980s.
In addition in cycle history, Wild Childs has been credited as the originator of what is now known as the modern chopper motorcycle design. Greene invented what became known as the narrowed springer front end (later produced/sold by friend Ed Roth) and heavy rake, along with many other features attributed to the swagger that now encompasses the definition.
Interestingly the Emerald Mist, one of many examples of Wild Childs customs, has been recently returned to the show arena by John DAgostino. Further than his own designs, Greene also took part in the constructions of many known elegant show pieces. In this series of collections you will be getting the first look at an astonishing amount of never before seen build photographs. From Greenes Cycles, Customs, Furniture, and arts. To fun with his friends, including Ed Roth, Ray Fharner, Bill Cushenbery, Evil Knievel and many more - let the games begin.

My gift to you.. Thank you to everyone who takes such valuable time to provide the wealth of information that is the H.A.M.B.

______________________________________________________________________

In the early days Greene began as many others did of the era - with what was affordable toward the end of The Depression. Pictured here are photos of Greenes first chopped top. Taken behind a poor Kansas City neighborhood gas station Greene proceeded to rebuild this once severe wreck into a mild rod. Buying a torch set on faith payments, Greene proceeded to customize this 32, welding and forming with used coat hangers.

With the only chop around over the next few years Jimmy began to make attention, and money, doing small modifications on the vehicles of peers. It wasnt long before complicated requests arose. So with a small wooden pattern he made, along with a small saw, files, hammers and the like. Greene began to hand form louvers in the alley behind his house.

Though peers were short on money as time passed the alley provided a few other tricks too..

Then, finding a small empty garage proved to pass the quiet time well.

(Im guessing the business coupe look taking shape below)

He gets a newer chopped shoebox on the street and it happens again - more friends want more..

Friends builds emerged - this one pictured was owned by Ray Erickson President of the Kansas City Timing Assoc. Im told. Some of you may remember the 50s feature Whistle Bait?? At some point this car was wrecked and Jimmy got his hands on doing a bunch of mods.---------Hi! Ray Erickson here--I sold whistlebait to a kid named PAUL JEFFERS -before some of these pictures were taken-Paul & his DAD planned to install an "Olds" rocket V8 in the 52--I never saw it after that--don't know if they did or not-I am puzzled,--pic' shown indicates Jim green standing by it at WW1 Memorial--pic is marked Dec 56--What happened to Paul Jeffers-The 52 never was wrecked at that time--??????????????????

(Jimmy Pictured here at Liberty Memorial - Kansas City December 1956)

(Note the rear window straps: When a window cracks a poor kid has to get by right?)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm getting tired, sorry guys.. I'll continue here where I left off after I get some rest. (stay tuned - to be continued)
Click to expand...

ooooooooooooooo

Kustom7777 · May 12, 2008

BEST
THREAD
EVER
!

period

Ray Erickson · May 13, 2008

grim said: ↑

Hmm I wonder.. Check out this picture I ran across, I thought it might have been a paintroom in the shop. Was this picture taken of him at Lockwoods, does it look familiar?

Also an interesting twist I think you'll like.. If you notice, on the dash of whistle bait, there is a string of pearls.. This car was evidently driven by the pretty young female companion of Erickson's.. I've heard numerous accounts of her strolling alone out of the corner grocery to put food in the car and drive away with all the boys in viewing radiuses hearts. (Note the name: "whistle bait") Heard the story from a few old rodders that happened catch "the disease," and heart palpitations, lusting over a lovely lady in a custom 52 - while at work at a small grocery..... Hi! Ray Erickson here-This young lady & I were already married at this time -were still married-57 years coming up.

With that said I think this is a perfect place to leave off for the night - To be continued... Stay tuned
Click to expand...

oooooooooo

Ray Erickson · May 13, 2008

choprods said: ↑

Is he still with us Grim,or have I missed the opportunity to meet him?
Lookin forward to more of his art/life eperience. THANK you.

Since you are from KC- do you recognize this fellow?
I am to his right -he is wearing the white shirt?
Click to expand...

--------------------------------------------- Hi! -Ray Erickson here- This is "Emmit Graham"-- he is a member of our club "THE MISFITS" He retired --many years ago- He is almost blind-Funny ,sharp as a tack,cool guy-Long white hair & beard-- He is 10 years younger than I & sometimes he calls me "KID"-- he smiles when he does that!!

jadam54 · May 13, 2008

thanks for sharing

Flea · May 13, 2008

Thanks so much. I love the history stuff and this is as good as it gets.

Lazer5000 · May 13, 2008

That is the COOLEST picture thread I have ever seen. Love the bumper jack.

hudsoncustom · May 13, 2008

wow. what can I say.... Those are some fantastic pics, I'm glad someone brought the thread back up...I missed it the first time through.

UnIOnViLLEHauNT · May 14, 2008

Nice. That Merc has a heavy chop for the time period, friggin rules.

Ray Erickson · May 15, 2008

choprods said: ↑

Is he still with us Grim,or have I missed the opportunity to meet him?
Lookin forward to more of his art/life eperience. THANK you.

Since you are from KC- do you recognize this fellow?
I am to his right -he is wearing the white shirt?
Click to expand...

This Emmit Graham- A member of the "MISFITS" car club-

Plowboy · May 15, 2008

Wow, neat thread, the first time I have seen it!

Do you guys have any Ray Fahrner pics or stories?? I bought the sign from Ray's shop on the way home from Bonneville last year.

Ray Erickson · May 17, 2008

koolkemp said: ↑

I have to agree with that! Thanks for the great pics!! Man what a simpler time and way of life......I love the in progress chop pic done with a torch,priceless!!
Click to expand...

oooo

VOETOM · May 17, 2008

NitroBro, why yes it is. That is the 1981, 2 or 3 World of Wheels at Bartle Hall. Mark Poole's Barracuda is right behind mine. Why did you take that shot? You a Mopar guy too?
Tom

billshari · May 17, 2008

Thanks for sharing. Jackstands? I think not. Look how much that bumper has flexed.

nitrobrother · May 17, 2008

VOETOM said: ↑

NitroBro, why yes it is. That is the 1981, 2 or 3 World of Wheels at Bartle Hall. Mark Poole's Barracuda is right behind mine. Why did you take that shot? You a Mopar guy too?
Tom
Click to expand...

PM sent...here's Mark's car. Must have been '81 'cause I also have a picture of a huge Khomeini dart board! If anyone in KC can remember these two 'Cudas, they were just about the most detailed and trick cars I can remember seeing. Tom and Mark were detail freaks to be sure!

I also have a picture of you, Mark, and maybe Kenny Kurzweil (another '69 Cuda owner, only his was a coupe with a 440) walking around Bartle. It'll only cost ya a little for me to pretend I don't have it!

Ray Erickson · May 17, 2008

grim said: ↑

Boy that's a familiar face.. What's his name? :

Yeah he's alive, I'm told he's been in on some type of designing with foreign hotels lately. His shop is still a signed building, but the hours held seem to be more by appointment----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ray Erickson here========That is Emmitt Graham- a member of the "MISFITS" CAR CLUB--RETIRED , NOT WORKING ,NO BUSINESS, Can't hardly see-bad Loss of vision.
Click to expand...

Tom davison · Dec 29, 2010

I was almost ready to start a Wild Child's thread when Ray Erickson told me to do a search of his name and I found this one.

I was back in KC a few years ago visiting Farhner and we drove down to see Jim at his shop. I took these at that time. That's Jim with the Caddy sculpture. The beat up but very hip poster shows off his car furniture line. Note the uncashed check for the Evel kneivel paint job....Jim preferred the autograph to the $500 so he didn't cash it! Note the gennie bantam coupe behind the three wheeler. Lastly is me with my '59 cad in '66...Jim let me paint it in his shop.

Ray Erickson · Jul 5, 2008

What happened to Ray Erickson's 1952 Ford "WhistleBait"???????????

Abomination · Jul 5, 2008

If you ever find out what happened to Paul Jeffers, I'll bet you'd be on the right trail...

~Jason

Ray Erickson said: ↑

What happened to Ray Erickson's 1952 Ford "WhistleBait"???????????
Click to expand...

promisingmarvels · Jul 9, 2008

I just found out about this site from my daughter! Brings Back ALOT of great memories! I'm still doing my thing with the cars! Anyone out there want a great custom give me a call. Jim Greene Wild Child's Custom ps. I'm ready to do a book!

promisingmarvels · Jul 9, 2008

Great Pics! Call me! Jim

skidsteer · Jul 9, 2008

Yes, although I am not from anywhere near Wild Child's, that's how I remember it from back then. Sometimes we would remember to lay the wheel/tire under the frame after we took it off the hub, but then again, it's not going to up on the jack for that long, so why bother?

Abomination · Jul 9, 2008

Nice to have you, Jim!

~Jason

promisingmarvels said: ↑

Great Pics! Call me! Jim
Click to expand...

Rolleiflex · Jul 9, 2008

This Caddy is sweet looking! Does it still exist?

billbrown · Jul 9, 2008

that guy built nicer stuff with coat hangers in an alley than the guy down the road from me with the $90,000 air conditioned pole barn and the licence plate that says RATROD. hahahahaha, life is good.

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History Custom Car History: Wild Child's

Ray Erickson Member Emeritus from Raytown,Mo.

Ray Erickson Member Emeritus from Raytown,Mo.

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Joan & 1952 Ford Chopped top.jpg

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