Kkoa ,hall of fame, who got in this year ?

The Hall of Famers are the only ones who can vote on two of the 10 people chosen from letters written for inductiees, so I guess you have to make an impression on the Hall of Famers. Gerbding told me some of them called him and asked about his involvment in Kustoms--So they are making an honest effort. I`d vote for you all, but I`m just a nobody who diggs Kustoms.

 

I grew up in kustom city, just a few blks from the titus bro's lil garage, it was great watchin all the stuff drive around the blk on its first bonzi run prolly not always legal but bitchin to see, i remember fancy pants in primer. anyway The KKOA is very important to me, and I have always looked up to those guys, I can't count how amny times as a wee lil lad tellin my buddies, when I grow up I'm going to be like those guys. later in mlife I met dennis,and we discovered we grow up in the same hood. I LOVE kustoms, gave up my personal life, tv, bars and most of my friends to build cars, and All I am try to say is I am not alone and the KKOA doesn't tend to give the respect to my generation, which I am 45, which is older then the titus's were when they were building cars. But the HOF tends to concentrate on a different generation of builders. I drive cross country on average of 4 times a year, and so does alot of my friends, which I know hines drives when he comes out, but other then tht I dont see many driving to events that far. what I am trying to get across is IF the younger guys were selected to carry the torch, I think the KKOA would see more growth, and participation. And how proud would some of these builders be to have finally gained some respect. I love the show, and I go to all I can,Look at ft. smith, dennison,tx. attendace is way down, Last time I went there wasn't very many guys my age there. It used to be packed, so what does that say, and which way, would you go to target the cars brought in?

 

Well said! You made your point loud and clear. A guy like yourself with KKOA in your blood practically and such a gifted builder should have been looked to years ago by Titus to spread the gospel to all the young mean lookin people that Titius probably didnt see the importance of! The early Wichita inspired posters that Dennis McPhail did (The one with the Johnny Hammond 58) should have made him an instant Hall of Famer! If the KKOA saw the importance of that art work and paid him through the nose, Ill bet our generation would have much more to do with the KKOA. That art bridged the gaps by mixin ago old kustom kool with a killer style of art. Im right. Were dealin with a big ass diverse group of cats these days that Titus himself probably could never relate to.

 

I think the whole association, HOF, the events, etc is all factors back to the people it is being run by-- older ones. Yes, they are finally starting recognize younger people (Jake got an award for his green Chevy and gold coupe he brought) but until we get some younger people involved in the association nothing is going to change.

Plus, we (as HAMBers, youngsters, call us what you want) all know who is building the rad customs today, creating great traditional art, and promoting kustoms in general by what we read and see on internet (like forums like the HAMB) and traditional magazines BUT are those older people reading those forums or those traditional rags? Probably not.

So maybe it is time we get involved. How? I'm not sure on that part, I don't know the organization that well. Maybe we need to step up and help out with the HOF, the events, the newsletter, the website; we've all got skills to contribute. The KKOA has to pass the reigns sometime, why not now when the iron is hot?

 

Kind of sounds a little political. Maybe if Jeff painted a couple of peoples cars for free and McPhail Gave out a tonnage of free artwork ... the vote may be there?

 

I know alot of people are still afraid of the mean looking people, but we really are nice, and don't always bite ! I do think Mcphails art opened alot of people up to the kustom world and I know he has influenced alot of folks, but I am not saying that I think dennis or I should be in the hof. I am saying they need to look at some of the younger generation once in awhile, there are lots of guys that have done alot for the kustom world, hell look at ryan and the hamb who has done more for the hobby then that.

 

So write a letter and nominate him.

 

Gary Gerberding and his son Dean have built 2 KUSTOMS for me a 59 olds called REDSLED and a 54 BUICK thats 2 of 4

 

I like them red cars.......

 

I sure have caught alot of crap over this, I was at starbirds show this weekend and had a few comment about stirring up the pot. I am just trying to help keep this movement alive,without which we will loose what I feel is an important part. And as I was looking around I saw very few Kustoms, I know I didn't support this show this year, One I didn't have a new car done yet, two going to cali. next week and I could have taken the cad, or one of the others but I have so much work going on I really couldn't afford the down time.I know all of which are lame excuses but thats the way it is. I have a couple nice full kustoms I am building right now, so next year will be different. I feel it is time for some changes in attitudes and encourage anyone to get their car out and take a cross country drive, it is great! one of the best things I have ever done who cares about rock chips , they are badges of honor, drive that shit, show off some kustoms!

 

Jeff, I think the larger problem is that the "kustoms" we like are too "old school" for most of the younger generation...they don't get the tail dragging/fender skirt/hubcap stuff. I think all they want is big wheels, blakwalls and a big engine in a '50's/60's car...(70's and up certainly don't work as a tail dragging "kustom"...).

You should have taken your Caddy to the show...and shown off those badges of honor...that would be your part in helping preserve our interest and lifestyle...had I had more miles on my Caddy (and a heater in it) I had seriously considered bringing my Caddy down...but the weather around here certainly didn't cooperate for driving 9 hours...

Another thing you should do...is change the pic in your avatar...put your Caddy in there, instead of a hot rod...one more thing to help preserve kustoms...!!!

R-

 

I disagree with ya Roger. I know of three or four young guys (in their late 20s early 30s)
within our area building "old school" kustoms. One of the reasons is they see guys like
Jeff driving them everywhere at anytime and having fun doing it. If you’re willing to do
some of it yourself it is an affordable hobby.

I'm tired of the big wheel, black tire with big motor cars that Street Rodder magazine is
sure shoving down our throats. Traditional kustoms and Hot Rods are alive and well with
the younger kats and I believe we are getting ready to see an increase in new kustoms
being built by younger people.

Jeff is doing his part by building some of the koolest cars in the country and he is doing it
from the Kansas. The only place worse then that would Be Oklahoma. LOL!! We used to
be one of the young guys into Kustoms and now its kool to see younger guys doing their
part keeping the tradition going.

That would have been kool if your Caddy was at the Starbird show. When did you move
to Florida? Arizona? You didn't put a heater in the Caddy? You didn't think it would turn
cold? Ha, ha, ha, Love ya man!! LOL!!

Thanks Roger and thank Dan for doing your part in keeping kustoms alive.....

Happy Trails, Mick

 

I think ya both should be in the HOF ! Thats what I was tryin to say! LOL It would also be cool to have a HAMB thread with all the other names you gave credit to just to fill everyone in for the future.

 

I think it has to do with the location, Mick...out here we (us kustom guys) are certainly in the minority...it's the big shiny wheel, skinny blak tire, big motor crowd... I wish I could say otherwise, but when there's huge events like GoodGuy's and NSRA that do much to promote the big wheel/etc. look, it's hard to build a tail dragger that'll compete with that...and get looked at.

I knew it was going to get cold around here...I moved to Aridzona the first of October...I didn't tell ya...???

I'm kidding...

No, I didn't get around to the heater part yet...by the time I got the engine back and the car all put back together, it was already November...I barely got it together enuff to take to Greybeard's show...besides, ya don't need a heater if the car sits in the garage all winter (and no, I'm not driving this one this winter)...I'm still taking care of lots of small things that didn't get done in the first go-round on the car.

I'm a died-in-the-wool kustom guy, Mick...have been all my life. Every car I've ever built, or had a hand in building (Dan's) is/was a kustom... (you won't ever see me owning a '32 Ford or a square-bodied car of some sort), a kustom the only thing I know...I am, however, thankful for guys like you and Jeff...someone has to teach these youngsters a thing or three.

R-

 

kustoms rule......

 

I'm a lil gun shy about posting anything regarding the HOF, now that I've had soo many comment on me stirring the pot and causin' trouble, but if'n ya don't stir the pot,it will boil dry and stuff will burn and disapear!

 

Dont give up, I respect you guys for not letting this die, Kustoms are are a part of history that alot of people dont understand . tuner's will be tuner's. hot rodders will be hot rodders, kustoms will be kustoms, its a lifestyle. I made my way to Salina for the first time this past year, and was only their for a short time but it was amazing and I will be back this year, I think it was the best event I attended all year, but it was an eye opener.....Dennis you are right KUSTOMS RULE I"M HOOKED Scott

 

Scott rules....... Gambino rules....... Jimmy White Rules....... Vintage hammer rules...... Kieth Weesner rules.......Alex and the gnrs customs show rules........These are the guys makin it happen now........ and I'm glad Jeff Myers puts up with me..........

 

and rob Fortier rules........ He never gave up on kustoms.........

 

Thanks scott, it is a lifestyle, it would be alot easier to drive a late model everyday and only get the kustom out once inawhile,or to trailer it to select shows. But instead we punish ourselves, here it is blowing snow, my kids car(my first car 69 torino gt fastback) is down, so he is driving my 59 el camino, which leaves me drivng my 31 sedan , no windows. thank god , mcphail brought his truck over for me to work on and was kind enough to let me drive it while I work some bugs out. still haven't got the heater working, but it does have glass! we need to get more young guys involved in the lifestyle, cause its lonely out on the open hiways. some will never understand the lifestyle we live, others get it and those who do , well, I'm proud to call brother !!

 

I am very dissapointed Gary Gerberding did not get in. He is one of the Midwests true custom kings. Sad! ~sololobo~

 

Jeff you are one of the hardest core guys that I know. Choosing to drive your Hot Rod to
work (everyday) during this time of the year is just crazy, I mean Kool. You don't drive it
because you have too, you do it because you want to and that is soo kool. Last month,
before we tore it down, I drove the Merc to work. Temp was in the cold digits and without
no interior it got a little cool. When I got home, Renee couldn't believe I drove it. I told her
that I was trying to be a kool as Jeff. LOL!!

Driving a Hot Rod or Kustom daily is great therapy. When I get the Merc back on the road I
plan on going back to daily driving the Merc. I miss doing that. Voodoo Jim sent me a video
of him running his Hot Rod to work, It was kool motivator.

I’m sure that you will agree that we are not into Kustoms and Hot Rods because people think
they are kool. We drive them because it is in our soul. Because of that, we care who gets into
the KKOA Hall of Fame, it is important to us.

Gary Gerberding is a good example of some one that should be in the Hall of Fame. There a
lot of guys out there deserving of the honor and Gary should be on the short list.

Kustom Kemps of America is the only national club that is dedicated to Kustoms and we should
Be thankful that they are around spreading the kustom gospel.


Happy Trails, Mick

 

Snow on the chikn stick .

 

Well said brother!

 

second that!

 

Thanks mick, for the pep talk , sometimes its hard,running a business during the day doing collision work, and then in eves and weekends building 3 or so kustoms a year. sure makes it hard on this aging ol' man, and then there are all the times you want to do other stuff but really can't because of this ball and chain. Just the small price we have to pay to play the lifestyle we chose, I guess. we do it for the love not because it is the in style thing.

 

I read Jerry is moving the Tonight show on Thursday night where he announces the inductees at the show in Salina. I always enjoyed go`in.

 

Kenny Baker should be on the ballot.