Hello, Being a person that started drawing flames from an early time period before junior high school, I learned that it is a skill of the painter, the pinstripe person (or one in the same) to lay down a smooth flowing design on the hot rods and custom cars. Then the overall look of the hot rod stands out a little better than most of the others. But, it is not as easy as it looks. On paper, drawing is became easy after many years of practice, but trying it on a real fender or trunk slaps a little reality into place. 1958 model and 1970 model, smaller and more precise in brush hair texture. The brushes were there, but the sample on fenders and wagons were not complete to my liking… YRMV Kudos go out to those that can draw a smooth flowing design on the hood of a hot rod and then go back and pinstripe the edges for some cool highlighting. We can all hold those fancy pinstriping brushes, but it is the hand, eye, overall coordination and skills that are necessary to create some of these outstanding flames on hot rods. The red of the 34 Ford sedan is cool enough, but the yellow flames makes it stand out from any angle. Add in the fine blue pinstriping and it reeks of a nice “Blue Flame” in real life. It makes your eyes not want to touch the blue part… The longer I stare at these yellow flames, the blue plays tricks on the eye and pretty soon they become blue tips, the hottest part of a real flame. Jnaki These custom flames are quite tastefully done on the 34 Ford Sedan. They are not overboard like some others with too much flames per car. TASTE is acquired. A photo from my wife’s old Iphone 8.
Chris Gomez shoot 003 by Bad Bob posted Nov 29, 2009 at 3:30 PM I've never been a big fan of flames, and the only reason I flamed my Merc, is because the first time I drove to the Primer Nats, there was 5 black Mercurys! I decided I had to make mine stand out. My friend had just had his done, really cheap, so I had the same guy do mine. I told him exactly what I wanted, helped him lay them out, sanded, then waited. They're all trashed now, cause I didn't have him clear them(live and learn). Plan are to repaint it. I've been told many times, "I don't normally like flames, but I like yours". My favorite has always been The California Kid. Never seen one better.
Hello, 1949-50 Chevys were very popular in our old Westside of Long Beach neighborhood. Coupes, fastbacks and sedans were the most seen. No v8 motors, but a shiny valve cover and clean motor compartment was simple and nice. But the outside was immaculate with fancy colors, intricate pinstriping or highlights, etc. Not all had flames of any kind, but some had fine detailing pinstriping, only. YRMV Even our cousin's mom had a 4 door 50 Chevy Sedan. A Custom for an older mom who drove it daily? with rear fender skirts? The sound of those motors was all 6 cylinder Chevy power, which at the time, was music to our ears. (are the new Hemi motors and other power sedans, today trying to emulate the classic 50 Chevy 6 sounds?) Jnaki Old Friday Art Here is my take on the popular Chevy sedans with colorful paint and of course, flames… The neighborhood custom cars did not all have flames, but there were some that served as daily drivers and also entered them in the various car shows. Not to mention being low to the ground…
The Jalopy Journal
