Customs History of the Custom display ~ GNRS ~ OFFICIAL thread info & photo's

Hello Custom fans world wide,

This thread will serve as our new and official thread about our prestigious gathering. Many of you experienced the 75th anniversary "32 Ford display" , the historic Merc gathering, and last years "History of the Race Car" display. We are very pleased to announce that at the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show we are going to house 75 of the most historically significant customs in the world , in what has become known as building #9 Special Theme building, The Customs "THEN & NOW" will take us all back in time to the early days of the custom car - starting with the early elegant Art Deco coach built one of a kind creations , a huge emphasis on real authentic 40's customs, 50's customs, 60's customs, to a section of contemporary award winning show cars that are reminiscent of yesteryear. We have confirmations of very early customs that haven't seen the light of day in close to 50 years ! Again, this is a display with emphasis on history . Cars from every corner of the United States will be present. Along with everything else you will see, there will be more original 40's customs gathered and displayed than at any other event! Top vendors in the custom car world will be selling in the building to meet everyones needs.

A long table will be set up in the center of the building where we will have a special "Meet & Greet" from all the major early Custom Car/Hollywood movie car builders and Custom aficionado's . They will sign autographs, sell their books, and simply be there to talk about the history of these fantastic cars.

People we are welcoming to be a part of the "Meet & Greet".
Gene Winfield
George Barris
Darrel Starbird
Rod Powell
Dean Jeffries
Joe Bailon
Bill Hines
Pat Ganahl
Gary Howard
Frank Derosa
Harry Bradley
Rik Hoving
Penny Pichette
Dick Burtolucci
Mike Alexander (Alexander Bros.)
Steve Stanford
Harry Westergard - anyone from his old shop
Coachcraft - anyone from the old shop
Valley Customs - anyone from the old shop
Paul Bragg
Jesse Lopez
Johnny Zaro
Bill De Carr/Bill Ortega
Jack Stewart
(If i left out anyone - please advise)


We are happy to announce that Kustoms Illustrated is our official main sponsor of the building and owner Luke Karosi will be flying Rik Hoving out from the Netherlands for this historical event.
Rik Hoving "Rikster" and Jeff Neppl "JeffSled" will be assisting us in all area's of research to bring you the very best cars to be placed under one roof. So far their help in this project has exceeded our expectations and we want to publicly thank the both of you.

Although we have the basic plans figured out we welcome all suggestions .

*Due to unforeseen circumstances - a car maybe subject to change*

Thank you, Axle & John Buck

 

The following posts are cars that are confirmed:



The Jack Calori 36 Ford three window

 

John Joyo 36 Cabriolet. Many of you know this car which now resides in Austin Texas - part owner of Austin Speed Shop - "Joyo" recently told me that Jerry Weesner almost bought this old custom back in 1956 - in Long Beach California

 

Vern Simon was traveling up highway 101 in the northern California bay area back in 1950 when he spotted this Westergard built 36 roadster in a used car lot. He traded in his 36 Phaeton plus cash for the car and has owned it ever since!

 

Owner of the famous Continental Club in Austin - Steve Wertheimer owns this black beauty 41 Merc originally owned by Vince Subias.

 

Now THIS sounds like a custom gathering worth the flight out and entry costs.
Looking forward to not only seeing all the cars but finally meeting Rikster as well.

 

Motor Trend cover car - The Norman Timbs Streamliner - hand fabricated aluminum body.

 

Elegance to its core. The 1939 Delahaye -

 

In 1941 Cadillac was commishioned to design a custom built car. Yes, Cadillac built a custom, and they created this beauty for actor Clark Gable ! Along with the Delahaye and the Streamliner, this elegant chopped Cadillac will be displayed in the front row to greet everyone as you enter the building. You will be able to walk 360* around each of these cars.

 

The "Creasman coupe" . Fadeaways and all, the car was customized at the beginning of WWII , and is said to be the 2nd 40 Ford chopped in the Los Angeles area.

 

The Snooky Janich 41 - Built by Barris. The car survives in Kansas and is being completed in time to debut at the gathering.

 

The Doug Rice Coupe. An amazing car from Washington with lots of history.

 

David Zivot is building what many say will be the most accurate Nick Matranga Merc clone ever. He was friends of Nick before his passing and gathered a lot of info on the car. He even has the original spot lights off of the original car! This will debut at the gathering in January.

 

This sounds absolutely incredible. Kudos to everyone involved for taking on such a huge endeavor.

 

Bill Pearces chopped and channeled 39 Ford convertible. Grandson Duane owns the car and is in great hands.

 

WOW this is going to be awsome!

 

THE DICK FOWLER COUPE: Built by the Barris' at their Compton shop in 1946/ 1947. This 1938 Ford coupe with chopped top, shaved drip rails,louvered hood,molded fenders, and Packard grille was thought to be LONG gone. This will be the first time the news will be announced - My parents found and bought this car at a yard sale in west Riverside California a few years back and although there are a few modern internal upgrades the exterior of the car is in remarkably good original condition. George Barris has come out to look at the car and authenticated it . My brother, friends, and i will be spending the month of October to get the cars suspension and steering components dialed in. There will be a special thread done about the car,its history, the previous owners involvement and custom car history background - done by Ryan soon. The car has not been seen in over a half century and will debut in January!

 

I have spent many hours on the phone with renown car collector and restorer Kurt McCormick. Although i can't say with 100% certainty i do feel confident to announce that these two elegant beauties will more than likely be a part of this - at least i am 99.9% positive - just going through a couple more details. Out of all the cars he has given me permission to borrow , and given this much serious thought, the two cars the Rik, Jeff, and myself thought should be in attendance are the 1941 Westergard Cadillac and the Paisano Bros. / Herb Ogden 1941 Buick! Again, pure elegance and the early years of the custom car craze !

 

From the Mozart collection - The Ayala Bros. / Wally Welch Merc.

 

Sam Barris Merc

 

Hirohata

 

A family friend Ed Mueller and i drove up to Sacramento back in 1991 where he bought "Night Train" a sectioned 1949 Hudson that made Hot Rod magazine in 1953 and again in 1958. . It is being finished up and will debut in January. Car was originally built by its owner Duane Aspengren. My friend recently found Duane's family where they gave him many trophies from the San Diego autorama - back in the 50's & early 60's , a car club jacket, and a car club plaque. Everything will be displayed next to the car. Except for the first photo the rest have never been seen to the public. Ed Mueller contacted one of Petersen publishing's retired Photo Journalists who did the 58' photo shoot at Balboa Park - San Diego. The photographer had 30 original negatives after all these years and i'm posting 5 of them as a taster. Enjoy.

 

Junior Conways shoebox

 

The "Overman 52 Lincoln" in its original patina.

 

Greg Beck 51 Merc that was found a few years ago in San Diego. Car is all original from the 50's and still retains its old lacquer paint. Greg, care to chime in on the history you have found thus far?

 

George "The Gator" Kilger bought this Chevy new in 1951 at De Anza Chevrolet in downtown Riverside, Cal. He immediately started customizing it and by 1956 the car was completed with dual 56 Packard tailights one mounted inverted, nerf bars, 55 Chevy head lights,1 piece Olds windshield, 2 Studebaker grille pans (1 mounted inverted) louvered hood, Tuck & Roll, etc. Gator still owns the car after all these years and the car is getting freshened up to re debut in January.

 

My new friend Roger O'Dell owns his good pal Larry Watson (RIP) 58 T~Bird . Its in great hands and will be a part of a special display in memory of Dick Dean,Larry, and Rich Pichette.

 

Randy Rhoades/Larry Watons "Grapevine" - equipped with hubcaps off the original Grapevine - or so i've heard. Randy will be gracious enough to bring his car all the way down from Oregon .

 

Mox Miller 58 Impala ! For the diehard 60's guys, this car needs no introduction. Mox bought this car new in 58 and still owns it today !

 

Mox Miller's father's 58 Chevy pick up he appropriately called "The Hunter". Car was also bought in 58 and its still in the family today!