Customs If you could pick one car that epitomizes 'Custom' what would it be?

A take on Roothawg's hot rod thread. For me, CadZZilla. I know it's not really traditional. Hell, it was built by Boyd!! But still...that chop, those extended quarters with custom tail lights, those wheel covers...the list goes on. Yep. CadZZilla.

 

Great idea! I imagine there will be plenty of the icons posted here. I have one in mind, I will try to find some photos to post up and tell you why I would pick it as the representative custom (at least to me ).

 

Frank Livingston's 49 Fleetline.

 

The Matador

 

Sonny Daout's Dodge.

 

the Polynesian

 

Every car that guy touches is right on!

 

Moonglow does it for me.

 

These say "Kustom" to me:

 

To me,Bob Hirohata's merc is the epitome of what customs aspire to be.
In my humble opinion this is the finest work ever built by the Barris Brothers.



On the other end of the spectrum I absolutely love the modern era custom (Copperhead) that belongs to Billy Gibbons . HRP

 

Barris built 1951 Ford roadster

 

LUV THEM SHOEBOXES

 

When I read the thread title, the Hirohata Merc came immediately to mind. I see it was in the first response posted, and another post, so I guess I'm not too far off.

 

To me the early Customs are the BEST ! the shit that came later got too Gaudy. Naturally Hirohata Merc is one I would call both Iconic and an epitome of the style ~ along with these;

Sam Barris' - very possibly the first Merc Chopped, and still one of the best


Jack Odbert's 36 Ford done by Harry Westergard

 

X-51

 

Hirohata for sure, it is THE custom car. The Herb Ogden Buick makes me think "taildragger" before "custom". Not a bad thing at all, just what I picture when I hear it.

 

Hirohata Merc....Sam Barris Merc...Hell Sam's Merc was brand new! Two classics in my eyes.

 

The Larry Ernst Chevy. A Catholic Priest From Michigan(Ohio) commissioned the Barris`s in California to do the work. He had to be very selective who he showed it to, not knowing what the higher ups would think.

 

Tough question to answer, considering al the cool cars that have been shown. I think the 49- 51 merc is always the first car that comes to mind with the Hirohata Merc being the King of the heap.

 

When I think customs I look at everything before and after the Hirohata mercury. However if i had to pick one it would have to be The Aztec by Bill Carr


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The Hirohata Merc, if you have read about its history, the original build, and the long wait for the owner to restore it makes seeing it in person so much special. It was everything and more when I first saw it at the Petersen. Bob

 

Agree with many, the Bob Hirohata Mercury is the one that comes to mind that defines kustom, many other Mercs hit the mark, James Dean Mercury for one. There's been many KOOL Kustoms, thinking Mercury's are the definition of Kustoms IMO. I'm planning on trying to make the "James Dean Mercury Show" this summer.

 

This one is mild, but it has always done it for me.

 

Does the Oldsmobile windshield count? That would be the only one......

 

Has to be the first white '56-7 edition ...