Customs KKOA (for anyone into kustoms)

Eldens p***ing got me thinkin bout doin this thread but Ive wanted to it for a long time.I know alot of guys,my age or younger have jumped onto the scene over the last 8-10 years. I just felt it was important to voice how instrumental and important the KUSTOM KEMPS OF AMERICA were to the revival of customizing in this country.Although Im 34,I remember the early 80s well and how spartan the average local car show was in terms of real 50s style sleds.It was because of the KKOA that we had our own place and the NSRA was where the hot rodders went.These shows were like a surreal dream come true at the time and it almost seemed at the time that there wasnt a person at these shows that didnt know as much about customs as RIKSTER himself!LOL I guress what Im tryin to say is SUPPORT THE KKOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............even though I havent been a member in 10 years!LOL Oh yeah,while your at it,join the H.A.M.B. alliance too!

 

Lol !! Joining the KKOA has been on my "to do " list for about 20 yrs!! Kinda sad eh? Guess I should get my **** in gear!

 

And Moriarity,I remember when I was 11 years old and saw your 55 hardtop creepin through the gates in Springfield Ohio in 85.It was draggin *** with a 54 bar full o teeth and 59 Pontiac hubcaps.I even remember the soft curves in every line of the red striping on the hood,the straight spear with thi vertical peice reoved and what was the licence plate???KOOL??????????????????

 

Good words Anthony.
I remember those early day's too. The ***us brothers and a handful of others reignited the Kustom movement.
Those phone calls from a kid on the East Coast helped keep my spark lit sometimes too. Was it really thirty years ago?
RodP

 

My fondness is definitely customs. I have talked about joining for years, I just need to get off my *** and join.

 

First KKOA event I went to was 1984...almost immediately after I'd found the rad '57 at the back of a used car lot...it was simply so much junk...but I could see the potential. We (my bro and I) took it home and worked on it for 3 months to get it roadworthy...and drove it there (altho the trip wasn't without its problems).

I've been a member off and on ever since then...and Jerry wrote a chapter in my new book for me...check it out: it's called "Traveling with the Rat Fink", it's about when he was going to shows with Big Daddy Roth...

R-

 

Been a lifetime member for a million years now. I've been a Kustom guy since the early 60's, when I was a wee lad! I was one of the first to join KKOA, think I was #140 something. Still have all the mailings and newsletters, right from day 1!-MIKE

 

I need to join too. Hey Anthony, how far south does the KKOA shows come? I to was into muscle cars and hot rods when I was young. Still loved looking at the customs at the shows but always thought of them as being to slow. Now that I am older ( 34 tomorrow) I say I can have the best of both worlds. Hopping up the motor in the burb and just use the power when I need it. This thing is getting a major face change after the next Billetproof in FL . That means some striping work is comin your way Anthony.

 

Amen! Join up! The crowd is thinning in the ranks from the 80's and 90's as the "originals" p*** on, but there's plenty of room for the new generation. Had it not been for Jerry and his efforts with the KKOA back then, I doubt customs would have the following they do today.

 

I was at the first Spectacular. (1981) I was heavy into the Cl***ic Chevy Club thing and
heard about a show in Wichita that sounded kool. The show messed me up and I had a
life changing experience. I've always been an art fan and combining the two together is
what Elden was good at. Kustoms are rolling pieces of art. Because of the ***us I lost
interest in my Nomad and my Love affair for Kustoms started. KKOA shows are special,
they're not just about the Kustoms & Hot Rods, and it is about the people behind the
kool sleds.

Years ago, I decided to be dedicated to our hobby so I became a lifetime member
of KKOA. I'm still proud today to drag my Kustoms Kemps tag all over the Mid-West.

Thank You Jerry & Elden for inspiring a lot of Kool people and showing how to enjoy the Kustom
movement.

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

Hi ant i,m a lifetime menber and a lifetime lover of kustoms

 

Even though my rod shop business is primarily billet cars(they pay the bills-most of the time),customs are the most enjoyable for me.KKOA and the shows they put on are absolutely the most fun.Great to go to a KKOA event and see craftsmanship and personal vision of what one can do "outside the box".Elden had been pushing for some time to get me to do a one off entirely hand crafted car and as most of us I was just not finding the time to do this.I am going to have to make the time and he will surely be on my mind as I do this.Not going to have his input but his inspiration will do.
Mike

 

I belong

 

I was there in 82 also, met Joe Bailon at the air port as we arrive from CA on the same flight. I was picked up at the Air port by a good friend Jerry Hill from Indiana in his 51 Vicky. I even made up a couple of hundred Led sled pins that I sold out of in 2 hours. Right after that the WCK started and I join up right away. Now after living over here since 85 I still look at the pictures and think back to those great times.

 

This will seem like a silly question to some... but please indulge me... I've never totally 'got' the name Kustom Kemps of America.. what exactly is a Kemp?

Signed... curious in Harrisburg..

 

Hey Bankok!Jerry Hills 51 Vic was a cool car to watch evolve! Is that GANGREEN in your pic?
By the way,KEMP is a word that ***us swore as slang for car.Ill be damned if I ever heard it.

 

What is a Kemp? It’s a slang word used by teenagers in the late 50’s, and early 60’s to indicate a car or a truck. When you say Kustom Kemp, it means kustomized car or truck. So a kustom kemp can be any make, model or year vehicle, from 1903 to current year. The word "kemp" gained national recognition on a famous TV show called 77 Sunset Strip, where Edd “Kookie” Byrnes used it often, and in the little 25-cent Rod and Custom magazines. So, do you consider yourself a connoisseur of automotive architecture? Okay, how about a good ol’ boy that digs on leadsleds, mild to wild kustoms and gr***root, vintage hot rodding? If so, then the Kustom Kemps of America (KKOA) is kustom built for you.

Copied from the KKOA website.....

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

Thanks Stray Cat!See Im only 34!What the hell do I know?LOL

 

Being from Kansas City, I showed mild customs at all of the same shows that Jerry and Eldon showed their customs in the early 60's at the Starbird shows. It is important for people who weren't there in those days to understand that Jerry and Eldon not only promoted customizing through the KKOA in the 70's and 80's, but they were a**** a very small handful of guys who were building customs in those dark ages, years before they started promoting the events. Never forget or fail to understand that they were builders first. Keepers of the flame, if you will. A big deal.

 

Thats easy to remember!!!!!!!I wish I had a scanner to post pics of the sectioned 55 Buick,Jerrys chopped Merc even when it had the wheel flares and fat cragars,The Crimson Skull and the list goes on for miles!

 

Here is one of my favorite pictures of the Crimson Skull.

Kool pictures from carnut.com check site below...

http://www.carnut.com/photo/contrib/***us/tpicsp1.html

 

Yeah...most young guys here can't remember a time when a Kustom was NOT appreciated, or allowed into a "street rod" carshow, or rod run. You had to park out in the parking lot, if you wanted "in" on the festivities. And yeah, back in the day, rod runs were really fun. No trophies, except maybe fun ones, lots of games, tug-of-wars, creeper races, volley ball, bands, food, BEER, and just car guy comraderie. Not the cut throat compe***ion you see at car shows today, even cruise nights for Christ's sake!
It was KKAO and local clubs that were encouraged by KKOA, that eventually gave respectability to a Kustom, and entry into the "scene".
I really miss the rod runs, poker runs, and especially the "State Picnic" where clubs would all pitch in and donate things, cook, run games, and compete against each other in games.

 

The KKOA last p*** in Des Moines was a fixture of my childhood. No other show around here featured traditionally styled cars of any fashion, was a sad day when they left but the show had been a ghost town the final 3 years.

 

When it was time to repaint my 49 Olds last year,some thought I should change the look. Eldon and jerry customized and painted it in 1978. I just couldn't change it . I wanted to leave the look Eldon gave it. I'm glad I didn't. Eldon knew the look. Eldon and Jerry were like the Kansas version of the Barris brothers. Eldon will be missed.

 

You must be Doug Reed

 

Yes thats me.

 

Been a member off and on since about '82. Not sure if I'm current or not, Haven't got a Trendsetter for awhile, guess I'd better check.

The ***us boys along with a handful of dedicated "Kustom" guys really did keep the fire lit when interest in early style customs was at an all time low. It has been a sometimes disorganized and rocky trip but the organization has endured and, I agree, deserves support.

My hats off to anyone with the kind of p***ion it takes to stay true to their chosen path.

 

Been a member about the last 5 years. By far my favorite shows to go to. Nothing but cl***y kustoms and real nice guys.

 

Being out here in California, I was not directly influenced by any kkoa events, but I still do respect and appreciate the role they played in re-kindling the kustom flame.